The Scarlets, however, face a tough challenge this weekend against a physical Munster side in the URC at Parc y Scarlets tomorrow evening.
Munster themselves though have had a below-par start lying in 11th place in the standings, but with only points separating the Irish province from fifth place Ulster, the margins are small between a host of teams fighting for a top-eight placing to qualify for the end of season play-offs.
Whilst just two wins from nine have left the Scarlets with work to do to catch up with the block of teams ahead of them, Peel feels positive about his side’s chances of finishing the campaign strongly with six games left at home in the remaining block.
“For us, it’s about performances and finishing as high up in the league as we can,” said Peel.
“We needed a bit of a break and now we are focusing on the areas that we need to brush up on.
“We definitely don’t park [results from the first block of games] because we need to take the learnings from it.
“We recognise that we haven’t been good enough and now it’s time for us to put that right.
“There are nine games to go and six of those are at home so there is plenty to play for.
“They will be physical [Munster] and bring that battle as they always do. The DNA of the club is that they will be very competitive at the breakdown and come after us in that area there.
“What we have seen of them over the last couple of seasons is that they want to move the ball and their attacking shape is very intricate in what they do.
“It is a big challenge for us, we will have to be smart and accurate.
“We are looking forward to this next block and am looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
Peel would reveal that although his side have strengthened by bringing in Stormers flanker Jarrod Taylor and have several first-teamers back in the mix for the clash against Munster, captain Josh Macleod will miss the rest of the season through injury, whilst winger Tom Rogers will face a period on the sidelines.
Rogers’ chest injury suffered in the Scarlets European Challenge Cup defeat against Clermont Auvergne last month saw the 25-year-old released from Wales’ Six Nations squad this week back to Llanelli to recover.
“There are a few boys back from injury. Sam Lousi and Johnny Mcnicholl are back,” continued Peel.
“Dan Jones is back from injury – he hasn’t played a game this season competitively. It’s good to have him as a leader within the group.
“It is good to have those two boys back [Joe Roberts and Kemsley Mathias]. They are important players for us.
“Jarrod Taylor has been signed from Stomers too, so we are relatively healthy. There are several boys away with Wales, but you are always going to have that.
“Josh [Macleod] though will be out for the season. I’m gutted for him, it’s brutal news for him and us.
“He was injured at the beginning of the season and he’s a big loss. He is captain and a fantastic leader for us and culturally very important off the field.
“What I do know about him is that he has had plenty of setbacks and has come back strong.
“Taine [Plumbtree] isn’t too far away. After the next few games, he will be available. Probably not for Connacht, but potentially for Benetton or Glasgow.
“It will be a timely boost for us so we will be looking forward to seeing him back in action as well.
“It is not a short-term thing [Tom Rogers injury]. It is not either a season-ending one. In the next few games, he won’t be available, but it won’t be too much more than that I don’t think.
“He will though be back for a majority of the run-in.”
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
