Scarlets 2016/17 Season Thread

[ScarletSpiderman]

Scarlets pre-season friendlies 2016/17    
Sat 13th Aug 15:00 Exeter vs Scarlets Sandy Park, Exeter  
Sat 20th Aug TBC Scarlets vs Bath Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay  
     
Fixture List      
Sat 3rd Sep 15:00 Scarlets vs Munster Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli Sky
Fri 9th Sep 19:35 Edinburgh vs Scarlets Murrayfield, Edinburgh BBC Alba
Fri 16th Sep 19:05 Ulster vs Scarlets Kingspan Stadium, Belfast BBC2W
Sat 24th Sep 19:35 Scarlets vs ConnachtParc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli S4C
Sat 1st Oct 19:05 Treviso vs Scarlets Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso  
Sat 8th Oct 19:35 Scarlets vs Dragons Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli S4C
Oct 14th - 16th  Europe 1    
Oct 21st - 23th  Europe 2    
Fri 28th Oct 19:35 Cardiff vs Scarlets BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff BBC2W
Sat 5th Nov 19:35 Scarlets vs Glasgow Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli S4C
Nov 5th  TBC Anglo-Welsh 1    
Nov 12th  Anglo-Welsh 2    
Fri 25th Nov 19:35 Scarlets vs Leinster Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli BBC2W
Sat 3rd Dec 14:05 Zebre vs Scarlets Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma  
Dec 9th - 11th  Europe 3    
Dec 16th - 18th  Europe 4    
Tue 27th Dec 15:00 Ospreys vs Scarlets Liberty Stadium, Swansea Sky/S4C
Sun 1st Jan 15:00 Scarlets vs Cardiff Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli Sky/S4C
Fri 6th Jan 19:35 Scarlets vs Ulster Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli BBC2W
Jan 13th - 15th  Europe 5    
Jan 20th - 22nd  Europe 6    
Jan 27th - 29th  Anglo-Welsh 3    
Feb 3rd - 5th  Anglo-Welsh 4    
Feb 10th - 11th   Glasgow vs Scarlets Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow  
Feb 17th - 18th  Scarlets vs Zebre Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  
Feb 24th - 25th  Munster vs Scarlets TBC  
Mar 3rd - 4th  Leinster vs Scarlets RDS Arena, Dublin  
Mar 24th - 25th  Scarlets vs Edinburgh Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  
Apr 7th - 8th  Scarlets vs Treviso Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  
Sat 15th Apr 17:15 Dragons vs Scarlets Principality Stadium, Cardiff Sky/S4C
Apr 28th - 29th  Connacht vs Scarlets Sportsground, Galway  
Sat 6th May 17:15 Scarlets vs Ospreys Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  


Squad

Rob Evans Prop
Werner Kruger Prop
Samson Lee Prop Dual Contract
Peter Edwards  Prop
Will Taylor Prop
Dylan Evans Prop  
Taylor Davies Prop    
Wyn Jones Prop

Ken Owens Hooker
Emyr Phillips Hooker
Ryan Elias Hooker    
Dafydd Hughes Hooker
 
Jake Ball Lock Dual Contract  
David Bulbring Lock
Rynier Bernardo Lock
Tom Price Lock
Josh Helps Lock    
Tadhg Beirne Lock/Flanker
Lewis Rawlins Lock/Flanker  
 
John Barclay Flanker
Aaron Shingler Flanker
James Davies Flanker    
Will Boyde Flanker    
Josh MacLeod Flanker    
Tom Phillips Flanker    
Shaun Evans Flanker  
Morgan Allen Number 8  
Jack Condy Number 8  

Aled Davies Scrum-half  
Gareth Davies Scrum-half
Jonathan Evans Scrum-half    

Rhys Patchell Fly-half    
Aled Thomas Fly-half
Dan Jones Fly-half    

Scott Williams Centre  
Jonathan Davies Centre Dual Contract
Hadleigh Parkes Centre
Gareth Owen Centre
Steffan Hughes Centre    
Matthew Owen Centre  
 
DTH Van Der Merwe Wing
Tom Williams Wing  
Richard Smith Wing  
Johnny McNicholl Wing/ Fullback
Steffan Evans Wing / Fullback    
Liam Williams Fullback  
       
Coaches      
Wayne Pivac Head Coach  
Stephen Jones  Attack Coach    
Byron Hayward Defence Coach    
Garan Evans Team Manager    
Ioan Cunningham Set Piece Coach

[Seagultaf]

Liam, DTH, McNichol, JD2, Scott, Patchel, Cawdor, Evans, Owen and Samson, Ball and Bulbring, Shingler, Barkley and Cubby is a strong first 15 but with injuries and international call ups how often will they play for the Scarlets? Some strong reserves in Kruger, Emyr Phillips, Aled Davies, Hadleigh Parks but a lot of the others are journeymen or semi pro standard.

Unless Welsh Rugby can find a way of addressing historic debt or significantly improve income from TV deals and the like, then this is just about as good as it will get.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I think we look like we have a strong first and good pro12 second xv

Sanjay / Steff Evs
McNicholl / Richard Smith
Foxy / Steff Hughes
Scott / Parkes
DTH / Tom Williams
Patch / Dan
Cawdor / Aled

Rob / Dylan
Ken / Emyr
Samson / Edwards (waiting to see what Kruger is like with my own eyes)
Ball / Price
Bulbring / Bernardo
Shingler / Rawlings
Cubby / Boyde
Barclay / Condy

That should give us the chance to rotate as required, and there are the likes of Morgan Allen, Gareth Owen and Jon Evs too.

I know there are sides who can boast better strength in depth in the league, but I think we are in a good position with this squad.

[ScarletSpiderman]

LV=
Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets, Rodney Parade, Friday 18th November, kick-off 7.30pm
Scarlets v Bath Rugby, Parc y Scarlets, 11/12/13 November
Scarlets v Saracens, Parc y Scarlets, 26/27/28 January
Northampton Saints, Franklin's Gardens, Saturday 4th February, kick-off 3pm

I'll update the op later

[Totallybiasedscarlet]

Looking forward to it bois bach! Scarlets to win the league this season ... you heard it here first

[Guest]

The pack still feels very light to me. Take away a few first team players, either through Test call ups or injuries as always, and I'm not overly convinced. Perhaps that's just because there's a few too many unknowns at this point, could be not need to worry. Backs look alright. Hopefully play some more attacking rugby with them, as it doesn't seem to be the most controlling, tight five sort of squad.

[Seagultaf]

I see that Macusker has joined Scarlets feeder club, Carmarthen Quins, useful addition for them and not too far away if the Scarlets need him?

[international198]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37008419

Rhys Patchell aims to shine at 10 for the Scarlets. If he stays injury free he will surely be pushing the likes of Dan Biggar, Rhys Preistland, Gareth Anscombe and others for the Wales outside half jersey against Australia come November 5th.

[Seagultaf]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37008419

Rhys Patchell aims to shine at 10 for the Scarlets. If he stays injury free he will surely be pushing the likes of Dan Biggar, Rhys Preistland, Gareth Anscombe and others for the Wales outside half jersey against Australia come November 5th.

Priestland is likely to be in the cold as he is playing outside Wales. Anscombe's defence is pretty much like a revolving door. So it may come down to a shoot out between Biggar whose standards have dropped of late and young Patchell?

[ScarletSpiderman]

Lifted from the Western Fail Q&A with Wayne Pivac.

Q: What’s pre-season been like at Parc y Scarlets?

Pivac: We want to have a slight change in style this season and move more ball and, as a result, need to look at our conditioning. The effort which as been put in has been great. It was well-documented last season with the injuries we had to some key players from the year before we had to modify our game. And we probably had more rain as well. We had three of four months in the middle of the season where we had a lot of wet weather. We had a lot of close games and close wins where we got through but this year we want to show a little more enterprise.

Q: You’ve got an exciting backline, haven't you?

Pivac: It certainly is. Across the board I think we are a little bit stronger than last year. Certainly our intention is to build some depth in the squad.

Q: You could have some selection headaches behind the scrum?

Yes, and hopefully in more than one position. It’s certainly what we want to get to. Competition across the park would be great. We are getting their slowly.

Q: How do you deal with the injuries at prop with Wales pair Samson Lee and Rob Evans both missing the start of the campaign?

Pivac: It’s just unfortunate but it certainly gives an opportunity to Dylan Evans and Wyn Jones, and on the tighthead side Werner Kruger is in from South Africa.

Q: What are you expecting from Evans and Jones?

Pivac: Dylan came on well last year. It’s a responsibility for him early on in the season and Wyn Jones has been in the background working solidly. It’s time for him to step up. They have been around the scene long enough to get their opportunity.

Q: When is Johnny McNicholl due to arrive?

Pivac: Johnny will be coming in after the Mitre Cup, as the NPC is now called. We had worked on getting him out a bit earlier but that was unsuccessful and he’s got a contract there so he will come after Canterbury’s last game. That competition traditionally ends the last weekend of October.

Q: What were your thoughts on Liam Williams’ displays for Wales in New Zealand?

Pivac: I thought he was one of the shining lights and probably the pick of the tour group. You know my views on Liam, he’s a fine player and a very competitive guy, certainly what we want to encourage in our squad. He leads from the front and had a great tour. Can he improve? I guess all players are looking to improve.

Q: Will Canada star DTH van der Merwe and Gareth Owen be fit for start of season following surgery?

Pivac: Both could face Bath.

Q: When will your Wales internationals start playing?

Pivac: Our internationals have had a good break of six weeks. They haven’t had that for a while but needed it – they had a massive last season – and we think it was a smart thing to do. They will come back over the next few weeks.

Q: What about James Davies, representing Great Britain at the Rio Olympics?

Pivac: He will definitely get a break. He’s back on August 16. We will just see how that goes. He may be available for round two of the Pro12.

Q: What sort of training is the squad doing to prepare for more of a ball-in-hand game?

Pivac: It’s about the high speed and improving that speed. There are so many variables but we would like to think our ball-in-play times will be up on last season. Look, when you kick the ball there’s a lot of running has well because you have to chase it. If you get a game where both sides are trying to move the ball and play attractive rugby those times go up. Last year against Ulster was 49min 28sec, which was massive.

Q: What are goals for the Scarlets this season?

Pivac: There’s an obvious one, to make the Pro12 play-offs. We have gone from sixth to fifth. European status is important to the club and getting into those play-offs is certainly what we are going to be trying to achieve.

Q: Nine teams had a chance of reaching the play-offs in last season’s Pro12, are you expecting it to be as competitive this campaign?

Pivac: It’s going to be tougher than last year. The Blues are improving and Edinburgh are going to be stronger again, and you have got the top six from last season who are all going to be there or thereabouts again. That fight for the top four will be as tough as it’s ever been with probably a little more pressure. Last year we had eight or nine teams in it and you wouldn’t expect the Ospreys to sit down the lower end of the table for too long. It’s going to be a real log-jam this season.

Q: How good a league is it?

Pivac: For a punter at the start of the season you have got to say probably all but two or three teams have an opportunity to be in the top six with most of these teams pushing for top four. So you have got to say, from a supporters’ point of view, the team you support has got an opportunity from day one. As for the teams and the strength of the competition compared to others, judge that as we go. European results would suggest we are probably not as strong as a couple of other competitions. But, at this stage, it’s great we have got a really competitive competition and we are going in there at the start of the year knowing that most teams have an opportunity to break into that top six, if not the top four.

Q: You’re a daunting European group with champions Saracens and previous kings Toulon in it, what’s your aim in that tournament?

Pivac: We want to be competitive in Europe this season but we are not putting pressure on ourselves to say we have got to be in the play-offs. We want to go up against a couple of the top sides in Europe and measure ourselves. It will be a good test to see how far we have come from last season and how much we have got to do in the future to force our way into those play-offs.

Q: Name a few of the youngsters to watch at the Scarlets?

Pivac: Ioan Nicholas springs to mind. We’ve pulled him out of Wales Under-18s to be available for this weekend because he has trained so well and he will get a run on the wing against Exeter. We will see how he’s performed in that game and assess him week by week, but he’s certainly looking very good at training.

Young Declan Smith, the half-back, is certainly fitting in well as are the three young hookers we have got. There’s Ryan Elias, who we know a lot about, and Taylor Davies and Dafydd Hughes, straight out of the 20s, are impressing us all at training.

Steff Hughes is another one. We asked him to put some weight on and not only has he done that but he’s put a yard of pace on too. He’s training very well and will get a run-out in midfield with Hadleigh Parks against Exeter.

[Seagultaf]

Squad is still light in some areas, front row, with current injuries, back three until McNicholl arrives and second row. Let's hope Scarlets fans don't have to watch their team play with flankers in the second row and Gareth Owen on the wing!

[international198]

James Davies has been phenomenal for Team GB in the Rio Olympics. I'm sure he'll be a huge asset for the Scarlets this season and possibly for Wales.

[Seagultaf]

James Davies has been phenomenal for Team GB in the Rio Olympics. I'm sure he'll be a huge asset for the Scarlets this season and possibly for Wales.

He has had a fantastic tournament, which is not suprising as he has been outstanding for the Scarlets for the past two seasons. They came against a Fiji side who were bigger, faster and stronger, and unlike most other sides, contained many of their 15 a side stars.

Nor sure about his Wales chances, he has the excellent Warburton and Tipuric ahead of him and it's clear that Gatland is not a fan as he has selected Cardiff youngster Jenkins ahead of him. How ever if Wales are serious about playing a faster wider game ( ie not Gatland Ball) then the team will need players with the skill set that Cubby possesses.

[ScarletSpiderman]

To be honest with the likes of Cubby, Condy, Keddie, and Jenkins as well as Faletau and Tips, Wales certainly have the players to field a backrow that could move the ball and compete on the ground too.

[George Carlin]

In the land of the heroin and chocolate quaffing soapdodgers, we'll all been watching MacNicholl for ages because he's SQ. He is a sparkling runner and kept Israel Dagg away from the starting 15 shirt for a good chunk of the season, even after Dagg was fully fit again. Excellent signing.

I thought that whom you really needed was prop forwards, though?

[Seagultaf]

Scarlets have some pretty good props in current Welsh internationals Rob Evans and Samson Lee. Decent cover at tight head with Kruger and Pete the Meat, a bit light on cover at loose head though after Phil John was released. Any Scarlets fans know if Phil is still playing?

[mikey_dragon]

Any idea what yesterday's starting line up was? Not a great start but hopefully it isn't a sign of things to come.

[ScarletSpiderman]

9 debutants in the team. I wouldn't have said it was a dire side, however it is nowhere near being a proper side. Almost like a pre-season team. I will dig up the team sheet in a bit

[ScarletSpiderman]

15 Aled Thomas, 14 Ioan Nicholas, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Hadleigh Parkes [c], 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Jonathan Evans, 1 Dylan Evans, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 5 Tom Price, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Will Boyde, 8 Morgan Allen

Replacements: Wyn Jones, Taylor Davies, Dafydd Hughes, Werner Kruger, Will Taylor, David Bulbring, Tadhg Beirne, Lewis Rawlins, Josh Macleod, Tom Phillips, Declan Smith, Dan Jones, Richard Smith, Matthew Owen

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/games/11528.php

It was a game of two halves for Exeter Chiefs who changed their entire starting XV line-up at half time for Scarlets' opening game of the 2016-17 season but it was the homeside who took the spoils in an impressive 45-3 display in the West Country sunshine.




In what was an exciting encounter at Sandy Park Exeter Chiefs got their season underway in true style running in six tries whilst the Scarlets had an opportunity to look at the squad as a whole, including a number of new faces, ahead of the GUINNESS PRO12 season opener against Munster in only three weeks time.

Nine Scarlets players Rynier Bernardo, Jonny Evans, Rhys Patchell, Taylor Davies, Werner Kruger, Dafydd Hughes, Tadhg Beirne, Declan Smith and Richard Smith made their regional debuts showing plenty of promise ahead of the new season campaign.

We're awarded a penalty inside our own half with scrum half Jonathan Evans feeding the ball into the scrum for the first time. The penalty is reversed and the Chiefs decide to take an opportunity for early points and kick for the posts. Outside half Will Hooley gets the Chiefs scoreboard ticking over after five minutes of play.

Scarlets run an attacking phase of play from the scrum as Exeter lose possession. Steff Evans kicks a neat kick over the top, he's beaten to the dead ball area by the Chiefs and they run it back into their own 22.

Exeter edge ever closer to Scarlets' tryline but the visitor's uphold the driving maul. A big drive by their forwards, Scarlets holding strong but referee is playing advantage. We head back to location of the original infringement. Chiefs kick for touch. They come back at us again. Referee plays advantage again but this time they get over the whitewash scoring their first try of the afternoon. Conversion is added taking the homeside 10-0 ahead.

As we reach the twenty-minute mark Exeter are back in Scarlets territory looking dangerous but a penalty comes Scarlets' way on the tryline giving Patchell an opportunity to kick us downfield.

Scarlets are on the attack, a pass in midfield is knocked down from Chiefs hands giving Scarlets an opportunity to kick for the posts. Patchell steps up, it's inside the 10m line and he gets the Scarlets scoreline underway and socres his first points in the Scarlet jersey.

Ioan Nicholas looks confident under pressure as he gathers a high ball and avoids initial Chiefs tackle. Scrum half Evans makes a dash for the line, the ball is slapped out of his grasp. Chiefs are penalised, we kick for touch.

With five minutes remaining on the clock we head back downfield. Chiefs are in possession and kick for the corner. They come at us again with their driving maul, we hold strong. Referee plays advantage to the homeside and they kick for corner once again.

A forward pass in midfield brings Chiefs' attacking run to an end giving Scarlets a scrum inside their own 22.

We see a great break in midfield by Steff Evans, he gets the ball out to Patchell who finds Ryan Elias out wide. Despite a strong attacking run by the visitor's the phase comes to an end.

No ALT tag specified

Scarlets head into the changing rooms at half time seven points adrift.

Half time: Exeter Chiefs 10 Scarlets 3

Richard Smith and Tadhg Beirne replace Aled Thomas and Rynier Bernardo to make their Scarlets debuts as the second half gets underway.

Chiefs break through Scarlets defence but the homeside are halted in their tracks. Dan Jones, who has replaced Patchell, kicks us downfield. It's a line out for young hooker Taylor Davies.

Flanker Tom Johnson crosses the whitewash to score Chiefs' second try of the afternoon and second half captian Gareth Steenson converts taking the homeside 17-3 ahead.

Chiefs gather a loose ball on the ground inside Scarlets' 22 and Olly Woodburn collects a neat pass to run in under the sticks for his side's third try of the afternoon. Steenson adds the conversion that takes the homeside 24-3 ahead.

The Scarlets are put under pressure even further as winger Matt Jess makes a run down the touchline and runs in the fourth try of the afternoon unopposed. Steenson adds the conversion taking the Chiefs to 31-3.

The man overlap gives the Chiefs an advantage and number 8 Thomas Waldrom storms over the whitewash. Stevenson converts.
38-3

The games is rounded off in style by the homeside as Woodburn crosses for his second off the afternoon. Steenson's conversion takes the final score to 45-3.

Scarlets take on Bath Rugby at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, on Saturday 20th August, kick off 2.30pm. Tickets are available now from venuecymru.co.uk

It was a game of two halves for Exeter Chiefs who changed their entire starting XV line-up at half time for Scarlets' opening game of the 2016-17 season but it was the homeside who took the spoils in an impressive 45-3 display in the West Country sunshine.

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/games/11529.php

[international198]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37098623

[international198]

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac says the region are "immensely proud" of Olympic silver medallist James Davies.

Flanker Davies, 25, was a key player as Team GB claimed a silver medal in the rugby sevens in Rio.

New Zealander Pivac credited Davies with a key moment in helping GB beat Argentina in a tense quarter-final, and expects him to be pressing for a first Wales 15-a-side cap.

"He's always been knocking on the door, he's there or thereabouts," said Pivac.

"There are three or four good sevens (openside flankers) in Wales - it would depend on the style of game that you play.

"James suits an open style of game with a lot of running and a lot of ball movement.

"So if that's the way Wales are going, he's suited. But he's not the only one in that position that can do that."

Davies was selected for the Olympics after being omitted from Wales' squad for the summer tour of New Zealand.

After receiving his medal in Rio, the player jokingly thanked Wales coach Warren Gatland for not selecting him.

First of a kind

Pivac has coached at World-level sevens but says he has not dealt with an Olympic medallist in the past.

He said Davies would be given a break before returning to training, but was looking forward to seeing him "because he's a character at the best of times."

Team-mate Scott Williams expects the flanker - younger brother of Scarlets and Wales centre Jonathan Davies - to turn up for his first training session wearing the medal.

Asked the region were proud of Davies' achievement, Pivac replied: "Immensely so."

"It's the first rugby sevens at the Olympics, the biggest stage.

"When you listen to all the successful GB athletes each night, talking about how proud they are and how their families are so proud of them - they want to make their country proud and James is no exception.

"He played a big part in that."

Key moment in semi-final

Pivac added Davies' strengths as a 15-a-side player had made him a key player for GB sevens team particularly in their nail-biting 5-0 sudden death win against Argentina.

"I think it's his 15-a-side skills, the ones that he's very good at, transferred well into sevens," Pivac said.

"His work at the breakdown is what he's known for in 15s and he was exceptional in gaining turnovers for his team in Rio - either straight turnovers or holding-on penalties against the opposition.

"His defence under the goal-posts against Argentina in the quarter-final allowed the side to get into the medals."

[international198]

Supertaf says on Scarlet Fever that Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams will play against Bath at Parc Eirias on Saturday.

http://www.scarletfever.org/forum/team-for-bath_topic42577.html

[mikey_dragon]

Any way we can watch the game versus bath on TV? That should be an interesting one.

[international198]

Any way we can watch the game versus bath on TV? That should be an interesting one.

It's not on any TV channel as far as I can see. The TV companies are missing out on good rugby.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah...

[international198]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/scotland-star-john-barclay-adamant-11762596

[ScarletSpiderman]

Scarlet: Liam Williams; Richard Smith, Scott Williams, Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt), Werner Kruger, Lewis Rawlins, David Bulbring, Aaron Shingler, Morgan Allen, John Barclay.

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Ryan Elias, Peter Edwards, Will Taylor, Rynier Bernardo, Will Boyde, Josh Macleod, Aled Davies, Jonathan Evans, Dan Jones, Aled Thomas, Steff Hughes, Billy McBryde, Ioan Nicholas.

Bath: Tom Homer; Jeff Williams, Jonathan Joseph, Max Clark, Matt Banahan; Rhys Priestland, Kahn Fotuali’i; Nick Auterac, Tom Dunn, Henry Thomas, Dave Attwood, Charlie Ewels, David Denton, Taulupe Faletau, Guy Mercer (capt).

Replacements: Ross Batty, Nathan Catt, Kane Palma-Newport, Luke Charteris, Matt Garvey, Tom Ellis, David Sisi, Will Homer, George Ford, Dan Bowden, Anthony Watson, Harry Davies.

[mikey_dragon]

I had to snigger at your Twitter page - really quiet during the bath game and after they humped you they start to bill them as premiership Giants. Bath premiership Giants , some of the most blinkered fans going.

As that was the first team it wasn't a good sign. About 6 years ago Scarlets needed a major overhaul - not the team but pretty much everybody on the board and the coaching team. They can't see past their noses never mind the Llanelli border. Pivac has a good team but I believe he is surrounded by amateurs. You've managed to offload the guy who seemed to have killed off the teams natural skills/running philosophy, the defence coach and Hayward also need to go. I feel it's going to be another season of underachievement as the signs are already there.

I would love to be wrong about that as a strong Scarlets breed strong Wales players. I really hope Pivac gets out of the shackles and has a trick up his sleeve.

[Dai Llewod]

I had to snigger at your Twitter page - really quiet during the bath game and after they humped you they start to bill them as premiership Giants. Bath premiership Giants , some of the most blinkered fans going.

As that was the first team it wasn't a good sign. About 6 years ago Scarlets needed a major overhaul - not the team but pretty much everybody on the board and the coaching team. They can't see past their noses never mind the Llanelli border. Pivac has a good team but I believe he is surrounded by amateurs. You've managed to offload the guy who seemed to have killed off the teams natural skills/running philosophy, the defence coach and Hayward also need to go. I feel it's going to be another season of underachievement as the signs are already there.

I would love to be wrong about that as a strong Scarlets breed strong Wales players. I really hope Pivac gets out of the shackles and has a trick up his sleeve.

You need to get the chip off your shoulder. It's unhealthy.

[mikey_dragon]

Great response. I take it you're another one of the delusional ones about to bury their head in the sand? Or are you actually concerned?

[Dai Llewod]

Great response. I take it you're another one of the delusional ones about to bury their head in the sand? Or are you actually concerned?

It doesn't really matter does it? As judging by your posting history, your mind is made up.

[mikey_dragon]

Dai is it really this difficult for you to answer a simple question?

[Dai Llewod]

Dai is it really this difficult for you to answer a simple question?

Am I a delusional with my head in the sand? If I was I probably wouldn't know it.

You on the other hand have just made a terribly misinformed post that just looks like you are jealous of the Scarlets. I mean having a go / lying about their Twitter account? Really?

[mikey_dragon]

Dai is it really this difficult for you to answer a simple question?

Am I a delusional with my head in the sand? If I was I probably wouldn't know it.

You on the other hand have just made a terribly misinformed post that just looks like you are jealous of the Scarlets. I mean having a go / lying about their Twitter account? Really?

Yeah this is why I always have difficulty trying to talk about rugby with Scarlets, but even you seem a unique case. Yeah I gues you like many others have sand in their eye but I'll say again, aren't you concerned about the upcoming season? I am, but still hope that the team performs better than last season.

Not jealous of the Scarlets at all - great first team but poorly managed and have been Europes whipping boys for a number of season. That doesn't leave much to be jealous of. Try and discuss the rugby instead of throwing around childish accusations. There's also this:

[Dai Llewod]

Yeah this is why I always have difficulty trying to talk about rugby with Scarlets, but even you seem a unique case. Yeah I gues you like many others have sand in their eye but I'll say again, aren't you concerned about the upcoming season? I am, but still hope that the team performs better than last season.

Dreadfully concerned about Celtic rugby as a whole. The Scarlets fortunes in the next 9 months pale in comparison with the bigger picture.

Not jealous of the Scarlets at all - great first team but poorly managed and have been Europes whipping boys for a number of season. That doesn't leave much to be jealous of. Try and discuss the rugby instead of throwing around childish accusations. There's also this:

Are you embarrased that a village of 500 people has 3 British Lions, 2 Welsh caps and Olympic silver medaillist or something? I'm reaally not getting your hate for this. But then I'm a deluded Scarlets fan so that's no suprise.

[mikey_dragon]

Well I can understand your concerns about the pro12, I honestly do. However you're still not specifically answering the simple question I asked you. You seem to want to take everything off on a tangent. Try again?

Which village are you referring to? Which British lions players are you referring to? And why the hell would I be embarrassed about any of that - there is absolutely no reason for me to feel that way. You're going off topic again - try pulling your head out of the sand and answer the actual post instead of moving the goal post.

You can take back your other accusation at me as well whilst you're at it. Bath haven't been giants for almost 20 years and had a poor season last year, an even worse one than Scarlets.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Mikey, FYI Haywood is the defence coach.

[mikey_dragon]

Mikey, FYI Haywood is the defence coach.

I swear I asked you about this on last seasons thread and you corrected me saying he was the forwards coach? His record with Wales U20 was abysmal, why on earth did your board decide to appoint him... Also do you have any idea what Dai is in about? I've asked several questions and none have been answered, I've just had childish accusations thrown at me.

[ScarletSpiderman]

You did bring it up last season, saying he was attack coach (I benevolent), and I said he was defence coach. Cunningham is the forwards coach, and Stevo is the backs coach (or attack coach, same thing more or less). I'm still not sure either way if Byron is a goid or bad call as defence coach. Last season we did hang on to pick up wind that we would have totally lost in years gone by. But then again we did leak some tries that we probably shouldn't have.

I'm guessing Bancyfelin, With Foxy, and Phillips as the Lions. Cubby as the Olympian, and possibly Scott as the other Welsh cap (but he is Newcastle Emlyn, along with Cawdor and Turnbull). But to be honest I'm not too sure the relevance, or even if my guess is right.

[mikey_dragon]

So if it's Bancyfelin then Dai was wrong again. I thought Foxy was also Newcastle Emlyn? Who is the third Lion, can't be Matthew Rees can it? I'm not sure of the relevance either but Dai did bring it up. I feel I raised a few valid reason that should cause the average fan concern, every Scarlets fan I spoke with it about just doesn't want to know, so Dai decided to take it off on a tangent.

[wayne]

So if it's Bancyfelin then Dai was wrong again. I thought Foxy was also Newcastle Emlyn? Who is the third Lion, can't be Matthew Rees can it? I'm not sure of the relevance either but Dai did bring it up. I feel I raised a few valid reason that should cause the average fan concern, every Scarlets fan I spoke with it about just doesn't want to know, so Dai decided to take it off on a tangent.

Boys showing my age here, I believe Delme Thomas was also from Bancyfelin.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Cheers Wayne.

Mikey, Turnbull was Newcastle Emlyn's first international cap, quickly followed by Scott and Cawdor.

[Dai Llewod]

Mikey, FYI Haywood is the defence coach.

I swear I asked you about this on last seasons thread and you corrected me saying he was the forwards coach? His record with Wales U20 was abysmal, why on earth did your board decide to appoint him... Also do you have any idea what Dai is in about? I've asked several questions and none have been answered, I've just had childish accusations thrown at me.

You posted a picture of a tweet showing Bancyfelin. Not me.

I really have no indication why you have beef with the Scarlets Twitter account. They posted updates throughout the match on the weeknd, so you lied about that (see your post above). If you have a problem with that account, let us know what it is.

[mikey_dragon]

Umm that's not the tweet I was referring to.... And I had no idea that was Bancyfelin. Nice try though. I laughed at Bath being called prem Giants when they're cr@p - good way to big up average opposition after they stuff you. I posted the tweet for that, so I was correct.

[Dai Llewod]

Umm that's not the tweet I was referring to.... And I had no idea that was Bancyfelin. Nice try though. I laughed at Bath being called prem Giants when they're cr@p - good way to big up average opposition after they stuff you. I posted the tweet for that, so I was correct.

They're easily Premiership Giants. Easily.

[mikey_dragon]

I know they get talked up but they haven't been for almost 20 years. They had a poor season last year and were probably a bit worse than Scarlets in the league. The jury is out on them for now but yeah like I said, I sniggered at the attempt to talk them up as if it was perfectly fine to lose to them - Just how I view it of course.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I know this is probably the bite your after, but he'll I'll go for it. How bad were the Scarlets really in the league last season? We were camped in the top four for the bulk of the season, we missed out on the play offs, but still made the RCC for this season.

[Dai Llewod]

I sniggered at the attempt to talk them up as if it was perfectly fine to lose to them - Just how I view it of course.

Have you got an opinion on the various squads of the Scarlets and Bath? The strength in depth? How much it cost to put the squads together? The calibre of the respective coaching teams?

[mikey_dragon]

I sniggered at the attempt to talk them up as if it was perfectly fine to lose to them - Just how I view it of course.

Have you got an opinion on the various squads of the Scarlets and Bath? The strength in depth? How much it cost to put the squads together? The calibre of the respective coaching teams?

Just the two teams on the day which for this match is the ONLY thing relevant. Both have Kiwi honcho's too.

[mikey_dragon]

I know this is probably the bite your after, but he'll I'll go for it.  How bad were the Scarlets really in the league last season?  We were camped in the top four for the bulk of the season, we missed out on the play offs, but still made the RCC for this season.

No I'm not after a bite - just opinionated. Dai seems to think it's okay for him to give his views on the Pro12 and on Irish threads, but when I post here with a different point of view he shows off like a child.

To answer your question, I thought Scarlets were fairly decent. Their good start however, I feel, was due to them having a good second string team, better than most others in the league. Connacht were in the same position but rotated all season and maintained their good position, eventually winning the Pro12. It didn't take Glasgow or Leinster long to catch up either, and when all was at stake Scarlets ended up soundly beaten by Munster. Good on you making the RCC, you were better than the other Welsh teams  last season but they're not good and probably won't be much better this season. I do think Ospreys will improve the most though. I'd like for Scarelts to be up there like some of their previous teams have been but I think they're a good match day squad that's going to be held back by some poor coaches, again. Come to think of it, look what Hurricanes did when Pivac left... You're not the only Welsh team I think will be poor, as I think my Dregs will be too so don't feel that I'm singling your team out .

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