Catching Scarlets

Catching Scarlets, Saracens vs Scarlets, European Rugby Champions Cup, Allianz Park, Saturday 22 October.  How do you follow up a performance and result as monumental as last week as Saracens' sharp attack brought an end to Toulon's unbeaten European home record? But with this side, there's no need to worry, as they have shown yet again their ability to adapt, not only between games but within them.

In that scintillating first half, which finished 25-6 in their favour, Saracens provided comprehensive evidence that forwards comfortable with the ball in hand creates a greater danger in attack as it creates more options, with smart offloads by Jamie George and then Mako Vunipola instrumental in well worked tries for Richard Wigglesworth and then Chris Wyles. Although it became a little more frantic in the second half in the face of an inevitable Toulon rally, Saracens managed to overcome the hurdle of being down to 14 men at certain points by giving a solid defensive performance to see out the game. A special note for Owen Farrell who came back from injury to claim 13 crucial points. 

Scarlets were the only Welsh qualifiers to the top flight European competition this season, taking the Welsh representation in sixth spot, with Ospreys and Blues missing out.They have had an unbroken run in the Heineken / European Rugby Champions Cup since their formation in 2003/4, reaching the Quarter Final in that inaugural season and repeating the trick three seasons later, but since then have failed to reach the knock-outs. However, when sides narrowly failing to qualify played in the Challenge Cup instead, Scarlets lost in the Quarter Finals of this competition in 2010 and 2012. Since then, though, the West Wales side have had to be content with the odd high-profile win, such as the successes at Harlequins and Racing Metro 92 in 2013/2014, and against Leicester Tigers the following season, otherwise struggling to find the consistency of form to qualify. 

Close season activity brought a significant number of comings and goings at Parc Y Scarlets. Most significantly, centre Jonathan Davies returned to the club from Clermont Auvergne, whilst fly half Rhys Patchell signed from Cardiff Blues, replacing Steven Shingler, who went the other way, and scrum half Jonathan Evans signed from Bath Rugby. Kiwi winger Johnny McNicholl signed from Crusaders and centre Richard Smith moved from Cardiff. In the forwards, the vastly experienced tighthead prop Werner Kruger signed from the Blue Bulls, whilst fellow South African, lock Rynier Bernardo made the shorter journey from Ospreys. Another second row, Tadhg Beirne, made the switch from Leinster, whilst prop Nicky Thomas has moved from Gloucester in the past week. However, the vastly experienced prop Phil John was released at the end of the season, having first played for Llanelli in 1999, and long serving Kiwi centre Regan King moved to Jersey whilst tighthead Rhodri Jones made the short journey to Ospreys having made over 100 appearances for the club, second row George Earle and hooker Kirby Myhill moved to Cardiff after several seasons in the West and scrum half Rhodri Williams left for Bristol along with another member of the backline, Jordan Williams. Former Saracens winger Michael Tagicakibau was another departure, as he switched to Benetton Treviso. 

Looking at this season, Scarlets made a slow start, perhaps not surprising given the large turnover of players. The opening match brought a 23-13 home loss to Munster as the hosts failed to fully capitalise on sustained early territory and possession, although they did score a try in the first half thanks to some quick thinking by scrum half Gareth Davies as he chased his own kick through. They failed to get any reward in their second game either, losing 20-9 at Edinburgh, where, despite making twice as much ground as their hosts, they only had a trio of Petchell penalties to show for it. A third straight defeat, again without a bonus point, followed in a 19-8 reverse at Ulster, although they impressed at times defensively. They finally broke their duck by beating Connacht 17-8 thanks to a pair of Liam Williams tries. Scarlets built on this with a strong second half display earning a 22-6 win at Benetton Treviso through tries from Kruger, DTH van der Merwe and Steffan Evans, and added a third straight Pro12 win in a 31-27 home success over Newport Gwent Dragons, the bonus point win all the more impressive as they were 20-7 down at one point in the first half. Steffan Evans scored twice with the other contributions from Liam Williams and Jonathan Evans with the hosts making twice as much ground as the visitors. That strong form was duly taken into the Champions Cup home clash with Sale Sharks which they won 28-11 as clever play by the half back duo of Gareth Davies and Patchell saw the former open the scoring and the latter set up a try for van der Merwe, who claimed another in the second half, but they couldn't force the bonus point.

Given that Scarlets have rediscovered their creativity of late, and possess a potentially dangerous kicking game, Saracens will be eager to guard against complacency, and will probably opt to a line up similar to that seen against Toulon. That should see Alex Goode at full back, with Sean Maitland and Chris Wyles remaining on the wings outside the centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt, and the half-back duo of Farrell and Richard Wigglesworth. Forwards-wise, Mako Vunipola, Schalk Brits and Petrus du Plessis could form the front row, with Maro Itoje and George Kruis remaining at lock, and a back row of Michael Rhodes, Schalk Burger and Billy Vunipola. For Scarlets, again, a settled line up appears likely with Liam Williams at full back, and the wings occupied by DTH van der Merwe and Steffan Evans, with Jonathan Davies alongside Scott Williams in the centres, and a half back combination of Patchell and Gareth Davies. Into the pack, and the front row could feature Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Samson Lee, with a second row consisting of Jake Ball and David Bulbring, and the back row trio of Aaron Shingler, James Davies and John Barclay.