Where now for the Scarlets?

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Where now for the Scarlets?

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After losing to the Ospreys it is starting to look like the Llanelli Scarlets’ season is already close to over. The last gasp bonus point thanks to a Jonathon Edwards try meant they got to come away with something, but only the poor form of the Cardiff Blues has allowed them to keep in touch with any of the Welsh regions. I haven’t checked the stats but I think that now makes it one win in 8 for the Welsh Wales region.

I have heard the excuses, most notably current injuries – 7 I think at last count. And some to important players such as Regan King, Dafydd Jones and most recently Matthew Rees. But to me they are just that, excuses. The Ospreys, whilst admittedly having far more money than the Scarlets, have absorbed a far bigger list of injuries to their best players. The Blues have struggled more on that front, but despite having a squad about as thin as that in Llanelli have managed to outperform them.

The Reamining Season

But the question has to be asked… where now? Two successive defeats (and heavy ones at that) against Leinster have ruled them out of the Henieken Cup so the Magners League becomes a priority. Remember that the bottom placed Welsh side no longer goes into a play off against an Italian one to get into the Heineken Cup, they go straight into the bottom tier competition. Considering the money spinning ties, TV deals and sponsorship monies for being in the Heineken cup that is a massive blow – and one the Scarlets can ill afford.

So with focus on the Magners League things become important, including today’s Blues vs Dragons game… the Cardiff Blues are only just above them and the Dragons have a history of falling away after a promising start. But the Scarlets will find it tough going to catch either as both are in considerably better form that the Llanelli side can claim to be.

Nigel Davies and Problems

It is important to look beyond this season though. Ask the question, is Nigel Davies the right guy for the job? When he was appointed for Wales I questioned what he has done to deserve it and still I question why he deserves to be in charge of the Llanelli Scarlets (sorry, forgot, they have dropped the Llanelli now). He was backs coach when they started to go down hill in that regard and the Welsh attack during his tenure as international attack coach was toothless.

The front 5 needs to be addressed, but, aside from signing Rhys Thomas (currently injured but far from a tight 5 expert), nothing has been done to address the lack of power from 4 of the front 5 (both Rees and Owens are quality at hooker though). They got schooled by the Ospreys scrum and dominated at the breakdown – and remember the Ospreys have struggled in those two areas against top class opposition themselves (though have been improving game on game since September).

Their attack looked little prepared to break down the Ospreys defence, again one that has struggled against top class opposition, getting into high scoring ties vs Leicester and Clermont whilst the defence was torn to shreds by Leinster – the positioning especially looked clueless.

I know this will annoy some of the Scarlet supporters but I don’t see much changing. If they get their players back then they might be able to try fight for mid table, but it would take a big, concerted effort and other regions falling off the pace. The question that first needs to be asked is – will the Scarlets see Heineken cup rugby next season?

A question I have asked here – feel free to have your say on the matter too! (includes a poll)

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