SCARLETS: ‘Put us in the corner and we come out fighting’: Davies rallies Scarlets for Cardiff opener

Nigel Davies says the threat hanging over the Scarlets‘ future has energised his squad, and has called on supporters to pack Parc y Scarlets for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship opener against Cardiff.

The region begins its season with its long-term survival in doubt, the WRU’s plan to cut to three professional teams by 2028 leaving the Scarlets and the Ospreys contesting a single west Wales licence, while Cardiff’s place looks secure.

Davies, though, insists the pressure has sharpened his side rather than weighed on it.

“The situation has energised us,” he said. “It’s typical Welsh, isn’t it? You put us in the corner and we come out fighting.”

The director of rugby was clear about the responsibility that comes with the spotlight.

“People will judge now because of the situation, so we realise there’s a role and responsibility there for us to perform. We’re not oblivious to that,” he said.

“Performing on the field is the only way we’re going to get our fans here. We can’t expect them to turn up unless we’re performing, so we appreciate that, but we’d love them all to turn up on Saturday. It’s a huge game which sets the stall out for the rest of the season.”

‘The rivalry is the best bit’

Davies said the derby fixtures remained the lifeblood of the regional game, even as the wider URC struggled to draw the same numbers.

“The rivalry is the best bit, isn’t it? When you play against the Ospreys, Cardiff and Dragons, that’s fantastic, and long may that continue, because that means so much to people,” he said.

“We don’t get great crowds at the URC because of the logistics of the league, but in those events we do get good crowds. There’s a need for that. People want to come and see those local derbies that we still have.”

‘More than a moment in time’

With the region’s case for survival under scrutiny, Davies made the argument for the Scarlets’ place in the game, pointing to history, facilities and a record of producing Wales internationals.

“You just can’t look at a moment in time in Welsh rugby. Let’s not forget this is more than just a moment in time. There’s a history and a legacy from this place,” he said.

“We’ve also got this Parc y Scarlets facility, which nobody else has got, and we’ve got probably one of the strongest boards in Welsh rugby. There’s a lot of stuff that historically supports the Scarlets.”

He said the region’s record of development, central to its pathway thinking, was impossible to ignore.

“You’ve got to look at where the players historically come from. Ourselves and the Ospreys have probably been the two most successful in developing rugby players into becoming Welsh internationals. You can’t ignore that,” he said.

“There’s a reason for that. These are strong communities with strong rugby heritage, strong colleges and strong schools that play rugby and develop those players. There are hotbeds within Welsh rugby, and as the game is shrinking all the time, those hotbeds are key and vital.”

The Scarlets go into the opener after a 26-14 pre-season defeat to Saracens, with Davies having promised a much stronger side for the derby. Kick-off at Parc y Scarlets is 7.45pm on Saturday.

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com