Press Pass: Josh Macleod previews Leinster play-off

Rob LloydNewyddion

The clock is ticking towards Saturday’s massive BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin.

Skipper Josh Macleod sat down to speak to the media this week.

Here’s what he had to say

Josh, you haven’t been in a play-off game in this competition since 2018, how much as a group are you looking forward to Saturday?

JM: “Yeah, it has been a fair while. This season has had its ups and downs, but the team are peaking just at the right time. There is a good buzz around the place and it is really nice to see.”

How has it been captaining this group this season?

JM: “It has been a privilege, an honour. They are a seriously easy group to manage, to lead. We have a backdrop of players behind the season, the likes of Costy, Sam Lousi, all the senior boys, who I let do what they do. Sometimes I feel my only job is to speak to the ref and deal with any decisions!”

You beat Leinster at home recently, can you do it again?

JM: “We have built throughout the season and have had some good wins at the tail end, the Leinster one was nice. We are expecting a bigger challenge in terms of personnel, but the confidence is good, there is no complacency, the boys are still willing to turn up each day and work hard and look to get better and at this stage of the season you can’t ask for more than that.

“We know Leinster are going to be a different animal, we are preparing for that, but we have built nicely as well. We have a changing room that is willing to fight for each other and when you get to the quarter-finals who knows what can happen.”

Do you enjoy the underdog tag?

JM: “I think this group thrives when there is a little bit of anxiety around the game in terms of the level of opposition. We have shown in the big games this season with scalps against top teams, when there is a little anxiety in the background boys know they have to go the extra mile and Saturday will be no different.”

This week saw the anniversary of the Scarlets’ title win at the Aviva in 2017? What do you remember of that day?

JM: “I was a TR (travelling reserve), holding the bags, but I was certainly one of those on the touchline running on at the end! It was some occasion, I remember that day with fond memories.”

This will be a great weekend for the fans as well

JM: “They have had to endure some tough results these last couple of years, to be able to give back, give them the opportunity to come over to Dublin and hopefully put out a performance they can be proud of is great for us as a group.”

Reflecting on your recent home win over Leinster, you scored 35 points. Will you have to score 35 points again to win this one?

JM: “I am not too sure, but one thing I do know is that when you get into knockouts, defences win you championships and we need to be there. Attack is not really my forte, but if we can score another 35 points it will go a long way to winning the game. We will try to be positive, we have a gameplan that we have installed, and yes, we do know, that come the 80 minutes we are going to have to score that three four, five tries in order to  beat them.”

How strong is this current Scarlets group compared to previous years?

JM: “One thing I will say, the tightness, the bond within the group is one I haven’t experienced for a good couple of years. We have had a lot of mouldable youngsters who have come on board and seriously impacted the club, they are a cracking group who are continually evolving and willing to learn. We also have senior guys who are willing to help and open to learn as well. From a cultural perspective  it is one of the strongest teams I have been part of.”

You speak of togetherness, how has that happened?

JM: “Signings have helped, the way they have bought into the culture, the club, the ethos. It was something we alluded to at the start of the year that needed a tweak. We have done that and we are in a quarter-final so something has clicked.”

Finally, congratulations on your Wales selection, how does it feel to be back in the squad?

JM: “It is a massive honour and privilege to be named. Of course, it is the old cliche, we still have a game, hopefully three to go, but to be involved in that set up again is a big privilege. I am very happy to be there. It is an exciting time for me and one I am looking forward to getting stuck into.”