Peel positive ahead of Benetton test as Wales contingent likely to return

Peel’s side’s chances of picking up only their third URC victory of the season and ending a barren eight-match winless run in all competitions will be boosted by the return of many of the regions Wales internationals from Six Nations duty. 

Centre Joe Roberts (knee) and hooker Ryan Elias (hamstring), however, will miss out against the surprise package placed eighth in the URC standings, but the likes of half-backs Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd and prop Kemsley Mathias are expected to return to the XV. 

“There is a good feeling around. Everyone is excited to play. I’m really looking forward. We have two big games at home now,” said Peel. 

“We have the Welsh boys back in the mix as well which is great. It’s been a long time since we’ve had the squad together – the majority will feature. 

“Joe Roberts and Ryan Elias are not available. They picked up a few bumps during the camping but everyone else is available. 

“He [Roberts] picked up a bit of a knee [injury] after the French game and pulled up in training last week. He’s ok in himself but not quite for this game. 

“We’ve played in patches this year and I think the next couple of weeks getting the boys back will be a big plus for us. We will have people like Taine Plumbtree and Jarrod Taylor back in the mix. 

“We have seven games left and four here [at Parc y Scarlets] and one on Judgement Day so it is all to play for. 

“We were a bit disappointed after the Connacht match, there were opportunities to win that game at times. The boys though are positive about this week and are looking forward to firing some shots. 

“There is enough negativity around that we want to just enjoy these next couple of games and put on a good performance for ourselves. 

“We know we’re not where we want to be in terms of the points on the table, but there is plenty more to play for.” 

With the rise of the Italian game coming to the forefront in recent seasons, Peel is fully aware of the challenge faced this weekend. No less than a dozen members of the Benetton squad would be involved with the Italian national side that triumphed over Wales just last weekend, to finish with their most successful Six Nations campaign since the tournament’s inception in 2000. 

Whilst the Scarlets boss knows that his side will have to deal with the physical presence of their opponents, he is keen also for his side to express themselves and play with confidence to show the talent that they have. 

“I think they will be buoyant,” continued Peel.

“If you look at the work they have done over the last couple of years at Benetton, Italy, and the under-20s, they really seem to have their structure and system right and they are on a crest of a wave. 

“They have some cracking players coming through. You look at [Michele] Lamaro as captain, [Juan Ignacio] Brex and [Tommaso] Menoncello in the middle of the field and Paolo Garbisi at ten – they are top quality. 

“From a national perspective, they are getting better every season. Benetton also now have been challenging for the last couple of years and are a very difficult team to play against. 

“They will want to come after us and dominate us. We have spoken about it and are ready for the challenge. 

“They are big men who are very physical, but for us this is a big opportunity – we are at home, and we are going to fire shots for the rest of the season. 

“For us, it’s about going out and expressing ourselves and playing with a bit of style like we know we can play.”