Tom Shanklin is backing the Scarlets to edge out Cardiff Rugby in Saturday’s big Welsh derby clash.
Both teams made positive starts to the BKT URC season, with Cardiff recording a bonus point win over Zebre Parma and the Scarlets coming tantalisingly close to a landmark victory away to Benetton Rugby before ultimately drawing 20-20.
Now they are set to lock horns down west in Llanelli.
Former Wales centre Shanklin, who will be commentating on the game for Premier Sports, says it’s a tough contest to call.
“Cardiff looked really good in the first half against Zebre,” he said.
“They were getting on the front foot from set piece and finished off three tries from that.
“At one stage, it looked as though they were going to run away with it.
“But the game was won and they switched off and you could see there was a lack of cohesion and understanding from a team that hadn’t played together before.
“If we are brutally honest, Zebre weren’t good and Cardiff weren’t much better.
“Going into this weekend’s derby, I think the Scarlets will take a little bit more out of Round 1.
“Getting a draw out of Benetton away, you probably take that with the amount of teams that have struggled out there.
“It’s one of the toughest places to go in the URC now and not many teams come away with a win from there.
“I think the Scarlets did a really good job for the majority of the game. They really fronted up and there seemed to be a bit more of a physical edge to them.
“Their line speed was a bit better, their collisions were a bit better.
“It’s obviously clear to see where Dwayne Peel has wanted to strengthen his team and that’s up front.
“It’s a game they will look back on and think they could have won, with Benetton scoring in the 79th minute.
“The Scarlets will be happy with the draw, but there is nothing worse than conceding so late on. They will have been gutted with that.
“But I think they will have taken more confidence from Round 1 than Cardiff, even though they drew.”
The highlight of the match for the west Wales region was a stunning solo try from teenage centre Macs Page.
“He looked really good,” said the 70-times capped Shanklin.
“He’s got power, a low centre of gravity, that explosiveness. I was really impressed with him, especially when you consider that was his first league start. He had a very good first game.”
Delivering his prediction on this weekend’s derby, Shanklin said: “It’s very difficult to call and, when that’s the case, I think you tend to go with the home team. That advantage often helps.
“So I think the Scarlets will maybe just edge it at home.”