Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies says the intensity, ambition and bravery on
display from Scarlets against a star-studded Leinster side in Dublin will drive them ahead of
their next home URC encounter against Cardiff on April 18 at Parc y Scarlets.
The Scarlets came into the game with the odds stacked against them with injuries to a
number of influential senior players including Sam Costelow, Eddie James, Ryan Elias,
Marnus Van der Merwe, Josh Macleod, Taine Plumtree and Alec Heburn.
In a re-run of last year’s URC quarter-final which finished 33-21 to Leinster and also involved
two Scarlets yellow cards and three West Wales tries, Scarlets showed from the outset that
being 10 places below the current URC Champions was not going to faze them.
With Leinster’s big names back in the fold, and 13 starting internationals in their line-up, the
pressure was on the home side to perform after coming into Friday night’s game on the back
of two high-profile losses in the URC.
With a 200-plus cap Leinster all British and Irish Lions front row, the Scarlets had to
encounter a late change with last weekend’s BKT Player of the Match Archer Holz pulling
out in the warm-up with Henry Thomas coming in to start at tighthead Prop and Harri
O’Connor moved to the bench.
Davies praised his team’s ambition and ability to keep the ball alive in a physical game that
demanded much from the medics for both teams.
“I thought we brought real intensity in the first 25 minutes. We knew we had to start well and
I think the whole team brought the levels we had spoken about in the week and we brought
our game plan to Leinster and it rattled them.
“The two yellow cards at the 30 minute mark were a big momentum swing, because we were
on top of Leinster at that time and being two men down allowed them back into the game.
With the quality and international experience they have in their ranks, they were bound to
capitalise at that point.
“But we pulled ourselves back and did not succumb to the Leinster charge and pedigree on
paper and that’s pleasing and a sign of the growing confidence, hope and belief this team
are building.
“It was relentless rugby from both teams with the ball in play time right up there. At 72
minutes we are still in the game with only a 10 point margin and it was disappointing that we
were not able to secure the fourth try for a bonus point which I think our players probably
deserved for the effort and adventure they showed throughout.”
Davies praised some of the Scarlets younger players who stepped up on Friday night and
were tested by international-class opposition.
“Some of our young players were phenomenal for us tonight as we had a lot of disruption
during the week as well as last minute replacements and a number of senior players in
influential positions were missing. It was a massive game for Harry Thomas at hooker.
“I also thought Joe Hawkins did a great job moving back to 10 with both our outside halves
out through injury. We know he’s a natural 12 but he’s got a great all-round skill set which we
saw today and he performed very well.”
Davies added that the variation in the Scarlets attack was another positive that caused
Leinster problems, but his side still needed to improve on conversion rates at key moments.
“Our goal is to ensure we have a connected, brave team that works for each other, players
have each other’s backs and communicate well as a group regardless of who takes to the
field. We want to be a team that has a clear way of playing, with a strong Scarlets identity.
“The general performance and intensity the boys brought was brilliant and you learn a lot
from games at this level of physicality and speed. We know that’s the level we have got to
get to on a more regular basis.
“We have also got to be more clinical when we get the chances we are creating. In the
second half, we had a couple of lapses and at two consecutive lineouts we had in their half
we lost the ball and they scored off them.
“We put loads of pressure on them in the first half which brought us opportunities and entries
into their 22. We had six or seven five metre line-outs but we weren’t clinical enough in
converting them.
“We spoke after the game that tonight we’ve set the marker for the level of intensity we need
to bring for the rest of our season. It’s clear when we get the chances in the 22 we have to
be more ruthless – that will be our focus.
“We have some big games at home against Cardiff, the Bulls and the Dragons which we
know our supporters will be really looking forward to as well as the tradition derby in the
West against the Ospreys away from home.”
“It’s a bitter sweet moment in terms of being proud of the team’s bravery and effort but you
know we can’t be overly joyous at the fact we have lost a game and particularly a game we
were very much in and had opportunities to win. But we will hold onto the level of intensity
and commitment we brought to this performance.”
Leinster 36
Tries Ringrose, Kenny 2, Tommy O’Brien 2, Deegan. Conversions: Harry Byrne 3
Scarlets 19
Tries: Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers, Max Douglas. Conversions: Joe Hawkins 2
Next game: Scarlets v Cardiff, Saturday 18 April, Parc y Scarlets, 5.30pm KO.
Get your tickets here