Unbeaten Scarlets prepare for final pre-season test

Celebrating an unbeaten pre-season thus far, the Scarlets travel to Gloucester on Friday for their final preparations before the first League match against Southern Kings in just 12 days time.
Last week’s win against Bristol saw the visitors turn a 26-12 point deficit at half time around, claiming victory by 26 points to 33 as the returning Internationals took control in the second half. Proving to be an useful run-out, it offered the squad an opportunity to begin to gel as team to get as close as possible to the form during the latter months of last season.
As far as pre-seasons go, there have been a number of positives. On the whole, there are no injuries to contend with apart from a couple of minor knocks. Both Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies are now back in full training with Defence Coach, Byron Hayward revealing that Leigh Halfpenny’s first week had gone well “Leigh’s settled in really well. His experience is invaluable. He’s already passed on some great advice to the younger players here in terms of technical advice and us as coaches even! We’re all benefitting from him. We’re all here to learn and grow, bother players and coaches.”
Despite a shorter than normal pre-season due to last season’s final, Hayward confirmed that preparations had gone really well and as a squad they are in the exact position they wanted to be in come the start of the season. “We’re raring to go!” he added.
It was also revealed today that next season’s Pro14 final would once again be played back in Dublin in the Aviva Stadium on May 26th 2018. Hayward added that the Champions were looking forward to defending their title with the Pro14 providing a whole new challenge. “Everyone is pushing us. We’re not standing still! We’ve made some subtle changes to things from last season, but the whole culture down here at Parc y Scarlets remains the same as it’s great!”
Last season’s Man of the Match in the final against Munster, Aaron Shingler confirmed that even though there’s a long way to go until the next final, the memories of Dublin is something that the team will never forget and they’re all refreshed and raring to go! “It’s my favourite game so far! And I’ve got a nice little vase back home too” he joked. “It is a very, very competitive squad but not too much has changed really. Another final is the plan – it’s the end goal. Winning twice in a row is pretty special…..so why not!!!!” He continued “As ever, our goal is to do well in Europe too.”
Prop, Wyn Jones agreed “It would be exciting to go back there again and win in the style we did. We put a lot of hard work in to have a day like that.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s game, as ever a good crowd and atmosphere is expected in the home of the cherry and whites. Renown for being strong up front, the Gloucester game is the perfect opportunity for ironing out the aspects that were highlighted in the Bristol game that require a little attention. Win or lose, to the coaches, it is the performance that will be paramount, however, beginning the season unbeaten would be an added bonus!