Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel sat down to chat to the media this week ahead of the big Boxing Day derby against the Ospreys.
Here’s what he had to say . . .
Dwayne, what were your reflections on the win in Cardiff?
DP: “I was thoroughly chuffed for the boys. I don’t think we were anywhere near our best, but defensively we put a massive shift in, the game was about moments and we took those and managed to get over the line. Obviously, you won’t get away with having three yellow cards too often, but resilience and fight is something to measure the character of your team. We have spoken about being here to compete and we were competitive. We know we need to improve and we know we have the game to do that, but from a collective and fight perspective it was a good performance.”
What does the West Wales derby mean for you?
DP: “Obviously, there is a lot of tradition to it. Before Scarlets and Ospreys it was Llanelli and Swansea, Llanelli and Neath, it has always been a great game in the calendar and some great players have played in this fixture over the years. With the two teams being so close, just across the bridge, it’s great for rivalry, great for the community and from a rugby spectacle we’ve had some really good games over the years. It looks like there’s going to be a big crowd and the weather is set fair for this week. It should be a great occasion.”
Both sides are at the foot of the table, is that a fair reflection?
DP: “It is still early in the season, we had a difficult start, home losses to Munster and the Stormers were tough, but the reality is they are two of the top sides in the league, we’ve also had a trip to South Africa and have played a game less than most teams. We have taken strides forward in the last month or so; we have two big games in the league and then go back into the Champions Cup which is exciting. I am not overly concerned about the league table at the moment.”
What have you made of the Ospreys form?
DP: “They have always shown up. This has always been a physical encounter and I am expecting nothing different. If you watch their games, they have been dogged. They had a good battling win against Connacht after being 20-odd points down and won against Montauban out in France in the Challenge Cup. Last weekend they played a very good side in Munster. They have quality players and I am sure they will be pumped coming down here on Boxing Day.”
What will be the key to this game?
DP: “Bringing that physical edge is important, from the Glasgow game and playing Champions Cup rugby against Bristol and Bordeaux, these games have been high intensity. The challenge for us was going to Cardiff and maintaining that and I think we did that. The stats will tell you that in terms of our GPS, collisions etc. We had to freshen the boys up on Monday, but a bit of turkey in them on Christmas Day and they will be good to go!!”
Jake Ball looks like he’s enjoying his rugby, what have you made of his form?
DP: “He has got better every week which has been good for us. You have to remember he hadn’t played much rugby when he came to us and had a bit of a fractured pre-season. Him having a run of games, he is getting hardened to playing week in week out, he provides us with that physical lock who does the hard graft. There is nothing flash about Jake Ball, everyone knows that, but what he does do is carry hard and his maul and scrum work is very good. He is enjoying it and his face is full of cuts which is a sign of someone putting their body on the line.”
A word too on another of your older players, Gareth Davies, who was player of the match in Cardiff?
DP: “I can’t speak highly enough of Gar. He has maintained a really high level of performance. If you look at the guys he came through the squad with he is probably the only one who is still playing at this level and that comes down to his preparation. In terms of influence that is one thing I hope the youngsters are looking at, his preparation and getting himself physically ready. I think we have all seen the pictures of Gar, he is in great shape. For us, it is about managing him well, it is about picking and choosing when is the right time for him to play because as you saw in Cardiff, he can be really influential when he is fresh and ready.”