Excited Scarlets Await the Visit of the Cheetahs

With the five points in the bag against the Dragons, and the home play-off spot secured, the focus is now firmly back on defending the League Crown for the Scarlets.
Head Coach, Wayne Pivac admitted that it was the performance against Leinster, rather than the result that the squad had found difficult, and it was a challenge for him to get the players over that hurdle last week during the Judgement Day preparations. Whilst it was ‘job done’ against the Dragons, it was a frustrating game with the Dragons ‘playing a game to keep in the game as long as they could.’
This week’s challenge is slightly different though, as the Scarlets find themselves in a similar position to Leinster or Munster last year where managing the players due to the extra fixtures is paramount to ensure they have enough fuel to put in an 80-minute performance.
Pivac believes that Saturday’s challenge will be quite a spectacle with both teams playing an expansive game and was not surprised that the Cheetahs have made the play-offs in their first season in the Pro14, “I felt they were always going to be there or there abouts,” he revealed. “I’m not surprised – they’ve got some talent, there’s two players in their side I like particularly. They’ve got a very good number 8 and a very good Full Back,” he joked.
“Their season has been a very, very credible one and I think they’ll be a difficult opponent on the weekend,” he continued. “They’ve done the hard slog like we did last year to make that first play-off game, so they’ve given themselves every opportunity – it’s an 80-minute performance so we have to make sure we play very, very well.”
The advantage of a home fixture could be huge for the Scarlets, who boast a proud League record at Parc y Scarlets – their last loss in the League was way back in September 2016 in the opening fixture against Munster, and despite a huge away following, the importance of the home crowd obviously means a great deal to the squad.

“If we could sell the place out that would be ideal, wouldn’t it!” Pivac agreed. “If yesterday was anything to go by, we had queues right round the car park with the season ticket holders coming in to pick up tickets, so we hope that continues and we get a massive crowd who get right in behind the boys. It really does lift the boys playing at home.”
“We got through that mental challenge of last week, bagged the five points to set up this home quarter final so we’re just going to enjoy this week,” he added.
“We know there are certain areas of our game we’re going to have to really tighten up on,” he continued. “Turnover ball obviously will be a no-no. They’ve got some really exciting players that can, as quick as a flash, break you open from unstructured play, so we need to make sure we look after the ball, our discipline will be key and overall our game management needs to be spot on.”
With the news that the Scarlets have signed two Scrum Halves for next season, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Kieran Hardy, Pivac added, “When Aled announced he was leaving we were looking for a replacement. This year in South Africa we had to go to two players outside our squad, so lessons learnt! “
“Mike priced himself out of the market!!” laughed Pivac, “We were waiting for the right player that we think will fit our environment and our style of play and I think Sam fits that bill.”
“We always look at what’s motivating a player, and we want to make sure that players are coming for all the right reasons – my conversations with Sam were very, very positive. I think it’s going to be a good move for him and I think he’ll complement our squad very, very well,” he continued.
“What I like also,” he added. “It’s not just the fact that he plays nine, he goal-kicks, and played most of his rugby at 10 prior to the last five years. He’s a guy that can at this level of the game cover both positions.

On the injury front, both Wyn Jones and Tom Prydie are available for selection this weekend. Should the Scarlets win and face Glasgow in the Semi Final, then Johnny McNicholl will also be available – he has been training all week but will take part in full contact training next week.
There is still no set date for the return of Jake Ball, with Pivac admitting that he is ‘very close, but definitely not this weekend.’ The only other doubt for Saturday is Aaron Shingler, who has been rested due to the sheer volume of rugby he’s played after going straight on the summer tour after last season’s Cup Final and being an ever-present in Gatland’s squads for the Autumn Internationals and Six Nations. He is now back in training, and a decision will be made on his fitness.
Despite the official ‘goodbyes’ being said during the Glasgow match, it will be an emotional one for those squad members leaving at the end of the season as this really will be their last appearance in a Scarlets jersey in Parc y Scarlets (until they re-join?!!) with Scott Williams admitting “It was a bit of a weird feeling in the Glasgow game as in my mind I felt we had another one to go.”
“We’ve had amazing support all season,” he continued. “It’s the best support we’ve had here since we moved to Parc y Scarlets, so hopefully we’ll have a good crowd the weekend.”
“We’re defending Champions, we want to go on and win it again this season, we’re going to do everything we can to win it again,” he added. His Centre partner, Hadleigh Parkes agreed, “Hopefully, we’ve got a couple of weeks together after that – that’s what we want and that’s what the Scarlets fans want as well.”
“It would be amazing to go back over to Dublin, but we’ve got couple of big games in between that we’ve got to win,” continued Parkes. “It would be awesome to give those great servants a good send off.”
The ticket office opening hours have been extended this week for fans wishing to purchase tickets so, let’s pack the Parc for one last time this season!