Could this be the year the Scarlets planning all comes to fruitition...?

Jonathan Davies was keen to suggest they are looking a tidy team this year with their new recruits, new management and their young stars maturing nicely...!

Could this be their year...?

Could they win the double..?

What double, beating both Treviso and Zebre?

Thanks mate. Great to start off the day with a good larf...

You might beat Exeter twice though....

Hang on a sec, we won our first match of the season which we were not widely expected to win (even with a depleted Leinster), and we are getting stick.

Surely life could have been worse for us, we could have been banging on about how we are rightfully european champions after winning the league and then managed to lose to Treviso in our next competitive match.

Last year they lacked the forwards in the squad but they have recruited well from both Accademy and overseas.

They thrashed Saints at franklins gardens last year.

Probably four or five certain British lions in this team...! You can't say that about many club sides.

maestegmafia wrote:Last year they lacked the forwards in the squad but they have recruited well from both Accademy and overseas.

They thrashed Saints at franklins gardens last year.

Probably four or five certain British lions in this team...! You can't say that about many club sides.

North and Foxy, but I can't think of any other certain lions. Smiller needs to win his shirt back for region, and nation before thinking about the Lions. And Priestland is not a dead cert to start for Wales at the moment.

Maybe your right SS. Though I would imagine Rees and Priestland would be at the front of Gatlands plans for Oz.

I imagine that Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Aaron Shingler are all likely to go too.

5 Certain Lions - there's North and er....thats probably it.
1 or 2 other MIGHT go but no much more.
I do hope Gatland doesn't go down the Woodward root and pick Welsh players in front of better qualified players from elsewhere. I think Gatland is a bigger man than that.

I would argue for example that Ulster have more players who could reasonably claim to be certain - Ferris, Best and Bowe.

As to the original question; in the words of Chairman Mao 'it is too early to tell'

We will know far more in 5/6 weeks.

Aaron Shingler and Liam Williams likely to go with the Lions? Are you joking?

no.

I see nothing intimidating with that pack to suggest they will be able to compete with the bigger boys.

Also, you can't take much from that Leinster game, they always start slow.

Ask that question again in 4-5 weeks and you'll get a better answer, P12 playoff contender? maybe.

HC, hell no.

geoff998rugby wrote:I do hope Gatland doesn't go down the Woodward root and pick Welsh players in front of better qualified players from elsewhere.

Now let's be fair, I doubt Gatland's going to be bringing old favourites out of retirement - although maybe I shouldn't speak too soon!

maestegmafia wrote:Maybe your right SS. Though I would imagine Rees and Priestland would be at the front of Gatlands plans for Oz.

I imagine that Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Aaron Shingler are all likely to go too.

Oh if we are being like that then add Samon Lee to the list, or maybe Jordan Williams.

Jesus Maes you are either trying to match HERSH on the wum scale or are trying to build the Scarlets up before your Ospreys come to PYS.

Eh..?

No I think it's gonna be a good year for them.

maestegmafia wrote:Eh..?

No I think it's gonna be a good year for them.

so do I.

Scarlets are going to struggle in the HC. Who wouldn't with their pool? Even the supposed minnows (not my thoughts btw) Exeter will be a threat. Use it as a learning experience and if you perform above expectations then great!

If I were Scarlets I would focus on the Pro12. Build on the win vs Leinster - so what if it wasn't Leinster's first side. It's still a try bonus against that club whoever they field.

Scarlets do have an excellent backline. Foundations always start with the forwards though.

Maestegmafia don't build up Scarlets though.

Scarlets have the potential for top 4 in the Pro12 but don't make them out to be champions elect till they started proving good and proper they deserve the tag.

I think Scarlets will do better than last year.

I do remember though after an excellent tactical kicking display by Priestland at Saints last year, there were posters suggesting they would win the treble.

I don't doubt that if they carry on building the way they are, and that they can hang on to the lads they develop that they could be one of the contenders for winning on all fronts.

maestegmafia wrote:I don't doubt that if they carry on building the way they are, and that they can hang on to the lads they develop that they could be one of the contenders for winning on all fronts.

I am a die hard, one-eyed Scarlets fan. We have a team, and probably squad, capable of getting into the play-offs and possibly winning the Rabo. However, I really think that after one weekend you can not really predict anything. Lets give it a few weeks and see where the teams ae standing at the end of the month before talking about winning anything.

Scarletspiderman it's pretty clear maestegmafia is doing this to try and stir animosity against Scarlets. I like your realistic standpoint.

He's trying his best to hype you up. Don't fall into the trap.

I am counting on the Scarlets and Ulster to replace Munster and Glasgow in the playoffs. obviously I would prefer 3 Irish sides, but Scarlets are my favourite Welsh region. I am hoping they can beat Clermont at least once in the HC.

Obviously hope Leinster take revenge in October.

Jenifer I am sure you do hope Scarlets beat Clermont in the HC!

To be honest i think they could have a real shot at the Pro 12 this year.
Their front five is a weakness but there aren't many Pro 12 teams who will exploit that.
I don't think they will gain much progress in the HC and i don't think they will qualify for the challenge cup either.

If i was Easterby i would be focusing all my resources on the Pro 12.

I don't see why this is a WUM. Scarlets could certainly win the RaboDirect Pro 12.

Were they in another group then yes maybe they could get places in Europe but Clermont, Leinster and Chiefs will be tough.

However why not the Pro 12.

One swallow doesn't make a summer.

Good win Scarlets and they are building, Pro 12 playoffs is prob the target for this year.

The thing I wonder is with all the regions trimming thier squads will they have the depth to cover injuries and call ups for the entire season.

I feel that an injury or two at any region could lead to a 'crisis' where in previous years they could have coped, and with smaller squads players tend to decline a little near the end of the season.

We'll see where Scarlets are after a few games, and also about the regions depth as the season wears on.

Kingshu - we will indeed see where the Scarlets stand after the next three matches, Glasgow and Connacht away and then the Ospreys home. If we are still in the top two of the table at that point then I will accept that people will be talking us up. The good thing from a Scarlets point of view is that we have managed to sign replacements into our squad (and bring through youngsters too) so our overall strength should not have been weakened this summer. I think some of the other regions may struggle with having to adjust to cutting their cloth to suit.

Stag - how can a thread asking if the Scarlets can realistically do the double, and then claiming they have 4-5 dead cert lions, and even claiming that 3 players who are not even certain to make the Welsh matchday squad are likely lions tourists. Add that to the fact the OP is a fan or the Ospreys (who will be playing us soon). The post is either a wum or an attempt to make people thing the Scarlets are world beating so that when the Ospreys play the Scarlets in three weeks time the result looks more favourable to them.

ScarletSpiderman - a lone voice of balanced reasoning from down west. Bravo sir.

I'm not basing this post on the Scarlets almost too strength side beating Leinsters also-rans...!

Scarlets have spent five years rebuilding from the ground up and have been impressing every season with talented players, attractive and skillfull rugby.

Things are going to come together quickly for them this year. All their young backline bar Fenby are internationals all under 25 too. They are finding a good pack too. Backrow is very good.

Front five was a big issue last year, stopped them making the ko's in the HEC and PO's in the RP12.

But they have invested and have a new front five, with good older heads and talented youngsters to understudy them...

maestegmafia wrote:I'm not basing this post on the Scarlets almost too strength side beating Leinsters also-rans...!

Scarlets have spent five years rebuilding from the ground up and have been impressing every season with talented players, attractive and skillfull rugby.

Things are going to come together quickly for them this year. All their young backline bar Fenby are internationals all under 25 too. They are finding a good pack too. Backrow is very good.

Front five was a big issue last year, stopped them making the ko's in the HEC and PO's in the RP12.

But they have invested and have a new five, good older heads and talented you hater to understudy.

Lost me right at the last sentence there Maes.

Sorted..!

We haven't been re-building as such Maes for 5 years, more like trying to survive and relying on our academy. We are lucky there are so many talented players coming through.

This will be the first season in a long time that we have a pack anywhere close to competing (and even then we are likely to struggle against bigger sides).

Play offs in the Rabo are a must, and hope for a good showing in a ridiculously tough pool in the HEC. If we manage to qualify out from it, or drop down into the Amlin, that would be a major plus.

We've a long way to go to become a top top side though.

rugbydreamer wrote:We haven't been re-building as such Maes for 5 years, more like trying to survive and relying on our academy. We are lucky there are so many talented players coming through.

RD

Im not sure what your definition of rebuilding is but I would say completely changing the clubs ethos to concentrate on your academy to give you self sufficient and sustainable model business that will garner success sounds like serious rebuilding to me.

It is something we are all copying at the other regions.

rugbydreamer wrote:We haven't been re-building as such Maes for 5 years, more like trying to survive and relying on our academy. We are lucky there are so many talented players coming through.

This will be the first season in a long time that we have a pack anywhere close to competing (and even then we are likely to struggle against bigger sides).

Play offs in the Rabo are a must, and hope for a good showing in a ridiculously tough pool in the HEC. If we manage to qualify out from it, or drop down into the Amlin, that would be a major plus.

We've a long way to go to become a top top side though.

Blimey, this climate of reasonableness among Scarlets fans is interesting??? Am I on the right website?

Has Smirnoff caught wind of this?

maestegmafia wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:We haven't been re-building as such Maes for 5 years, more like trying to survive and relying on our academy. We are lucky there are so many talented players coming through.

RD

Im not sure what your definition of rebuilding is but I would say completely changing the clubs ethos to concentrate on your academy to give you self sufficient and sustainable model business that will garner success sounds like serious rebuilding to me.

It is something we are all copying at the other regions.

we didn't really change our ethos though, we just went back to what Llanelli had always done, when the Scarlets lost their way when regionalism officially started.
The business model is of course being re-built, I just thought we were talking about the squad.

Casartelli wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:We haven't been re-building as such Maes for 5 years, more like trying to survive and relying on our academy. We are lucky there are so many talented players coming through.

This will be the first season in a long time that we have a pack anywhere close to competing (and even then we are likely to struggle against bigger sides).

Play offs in the Rabo are a must, and hope for a good showing in a ridiculously tough pool in the HEC. If we manage to qualify out from it, or drop down into the Amlin, that would be a major plus.

We've a long way to go to become a top top side though.

Blimey, this climate of reasonableness among Scarlets fans is interesting??? Am I on the right website?

Has Smirnoff caught wind of this?

Preist along with SS and Pioden are some of the most sensible Scarlets fans you will find. There's very few OTT ones of us on here that I can think of actually (if any) We all still get carried away with our team, but we've had too many years of hurt to not have a touch of realism to it!

Excellent first game, that's all there is to it for now. It could go well from here on out or it could go down the toilet. We'll see. Tricky trip up to Glasgow next.

Knowsit - it will be a good test to see how the Scarlets pack has improved (or if it has gone backwards). One good thing is that even though it was a good result this weekend, there were also a few things for us to work on.

A few times some players got white line fever and either missed a try scoring opertunity, or made it harder work than it had to be.

Even though Leinster were pants, I thought the Scarlets looked sharp, well prepared and hungry.

I'm not convinced by the half backs and until I see the front 5 more than hold their own against a top pack I won't be changing my mind. Plenty of reasons to be optimistic if your a Scarlets fan though.

geoff998rugby wrote:5 Certain Lions - there's North and er....thats probably it.
1 or 2 other MIGHT go but no much more.
I do hope Gatland doesn't go down the Woodward root and pick Welsh players in front of better qualified players from elsewhere. I think Gatland is a bigger man than that.

I would argue for example that Ulster have more players who could reasonably claim to be certain - Ferris, Best and Bowe.

As to the original question; in the words of Chairman Mao 'it is too early to tell'

We will know far more in 5/6 weeks.

Sorry Geoff, your showing your lack of rugby general knowlegde here. Even I (as a Dragons fan) know they have the following certs:-

North
Owens/M. Rees - Lions always take 3 Hookers and given that either of these are at any given point starting for Wales they will almost certanly go.
J. Davies - Cant even think of a better outside centre in the British Isles at the moment. Given Gatland is picking the selection he may as well start packing his case now as only injury will stop him from going.

So thats 3 certs by my count.

Possible Contenders list at the Scarlets:-
Priestland - if he can keep the 10 Shirt for Wales until then he will be on the plain as well.


Granted there might be players like Stoddard and Williams vying for spots before the seasons through but the ones listed are the only likely chances. That said I doubt many other club/regional sides have a shot of having 4 Lions in their rosters.

Priestland was terrible in the series against Oz and a lot of Welsh fans on here were calling for him to be replaced by Dan Biggar - who had an absolute shocker against Treviso - I think Priestland will be very lucky to make the trip to Australia with the Lions he hasn't shown anything to suggest he has got his form back.

As for Rees - behind Best and probably Hartley but may go has third choice hooker.

Ford will push as well (hooker and the flyhalf possibly)

There's a chance neither Rees nor Owens will be on the plane. For all we know both might play their way off the tour between now and then, allowing Best, Hartley and Ford to take the three hooker spots.

Priestland is almost equally uncertain. On RWC form he stands a good chance, on 6N and Oz tour form he does not. A tiny part of me still agonises deep inside when I imagine what we'd have achieved in the second test if it hadn't been for Priestland's utter stupidity

Rees doesn't really stand a chance, Ford and Best are clearly ahead of him, but his scrummaging ability may give him the edge over Hartley.

IMO if Owens gets plenty of gametime at int level he may well travel.

Dodger

I know it's easy to pile the mistakes etc on Preistland, but in the situation he was in (tight 5 bullide at the breakdown, Phillips slow and eratic pass) I think he's not done too badly. Not that I'm saying he'll travel, but Sexton struggles at int level, and Flood has been injury prone and out of the game for a while.
IMO the 10 spot could be anyones

Casartelli wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:We haven't been re-building as such Maes for 5 years, more like trying to survive and relying on our academy. We are lucky there are so many talented players coming through.

This will be the first season in a long time that we have a pack anywhere close to competing (and even then we are likely to struggle against bigger sides).

Play offs in the Rabo are a must, and hope for a good showing in a ridiculously tough pool in the HEC. If we manage to qualify out from it, or drop down into the Amlin, that would be a major plus.

We've a long way to go to become a top top side though.

Blimey, this climate of reasonableness among Scarlets fans is interesting??? Am I on the right website?

Has Smirnoff caught wind of this?

Hey why am I being named?

I've never claimed the Scarlets are world beaters, and over the past month or so have been quite critical of our signings, a few of whom seem to be journeymen rather than world beaters. True we do have a lot of exciting backs and it's pleasing to know that when JD2, S Williams and Knoyle are away with Wales we will have G Davies, Maule and Warren to come in, who have all shown up well.
But we still have an unproven no 8 (he's played a lot more at 6/lock) as our captain, 2 youngsters at LH with Phil John and maybe Manu coming across (who now seems to be our 1st choice TH, i like him but he's not HEC winning material, just good Pro12).
We can't claim to be def a Pro12 winning side or anything more until we see how our locks settle in and step up.

But we do have strength in depth in that department and in our backrow (except maybe No8 where we have Mcgog and Murphy).

Or am I just mentioned Cyril because I've disagreed with you about the Scarlets going bust every season for the past 4 seasons?

Or what we could have achieved if the forwards had just kept the ball, Knowsit?

more than just Priestland at fault for that, can't stand blaming one player when there was clearly more than one at fault.

Ah lads come on, okay, I concede well done on thrashing Leinster but it wasnt a good leinster team, i saw some of the backs that played in the gym today and the size of them compared to Scarlets players is unreal, i wondered how they coped considering the vast size difference.

dreamer

There were at least 9 at fault before the ball got to Preistland!!!

drsambo

7 HC finalists from last season started in that Leinster team!

Knowsit17 wrote:There's a chance neither Rees nor Owens will be on the plane. For all we know both might play their way off the tour between now and then, allowing Best, Hartley and Ford to take the three hooker spots.

Priestland is almost equally uncertain. On RWC form he stands a good chance, on 6N and Oz tour form he does not. A tiny part of me still agonises deep inside when I imagine what we'd have achieved in the second test if it hadn't been for Priestland's utter stupidity

Maybe, maybe not. Lets be perfectly honest here though, if Gatland gets his say don't be suprised if a third of the squad are welsh. At the end of the day we are the current 6 nations champions so unless they have a mare in the next campaign I dont see much changing in the status quo. Granted everyone in the NH will be gunning for them which is never a good thing but the current Welsh side has a lot of quality in it, and to be perfectly honest are the front runners for this years 6 nations.

We have Howley in charge, mushroom, that's immediately going to work against us. Reckon we could struggle this years 6N's.

thebluesmancometh wrote:drsambo

7 HC finalists from last season started in that Leinster team!

Nope 2 did - Strauss and Nacewa.