Head coach Dwayne Peel paid tribute to his returning leaders who fuelled Scarlets’ impressive first victory of the season, a 23-0 thumping of Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.
Peel was able to welcome back skipper Josh Macleod, Wales internationals Ryan Elias and Eddie James and Aussie back-rower Max Douglas for the clash with the Warriors and all played big parts in a morale-boosting triumph on home soil.
Douglas picked up the player-of-the-match award, Macleod was at his tenacious best at the breakdown, Elias carried strongly and was at the heart of a pack that bossed the scrum exchanges, while James was a physical presence in midfield, with and without the ball.
“To get those boys back in amongst the group is massive for us,” said Peel afterwards. “You could see the leadership they bring.
“I am delighted for everyone. We were honest in our review of the first block, we knew had a lot of work to do and the boys have worked hard over the last three or four weeks.
“Glasgow are a powerful side. I thought we did the basics well, chased well, kicked well, turnover ball over and took points when we needed to. Scoreboard pressure is huge in those conditions, it was difficult to move the ball so you don’t want to be chasing the game.
“We managed to force some errors and we stuck in there when Glasgow had a lot of territory in the second half.”
Peel also paid tribute to an inexperienced back three of Iori Badham – making his URC debut – Jac Davies and Tomi Lewis.
“I was really pleased for those boys, they chased everything and their fundamentals of the game were excellent. Fair play to Iori, he hasn’t long come back from an ACL injury and hasn’t played much rugby, just a couple of games for Carmarthen Quins, I thought he was excellent.”
Attention now turns to a first appearance in the Champions Cup for three years with the visit of Bristol Bears to Llanelli next Saturday night (8pm).
“It is an opportunity for us to really kick on,” added Peel.
“Champions Cup rugby is fantastic for us and we have a massive tradition in the tournament here at the club. We worked hard to get here and we are going to enjoy it.
“It is going to be a big challenge against a very good Bristol side who had a big win over Northampton on the weekend. We are going to have to be at our best.”