Scarlets look for Munster double

While Coach Phil Davies was already looking for a good dress-rehearsal ahead of his side’s Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Leicester Tigers the following weekend, he still believes the Magners League title is within his team’s grasp.

“With Munster and Leicester followed by a local derby against the Ospreys, we have a really challenging period of fixtures,” said Davies.

“With Leinster losing last weekend there are probably four or five teams who are still in the hunt for the Magners League title. I think we still have a chance to win it if we perform.

“Going to Munster so soon after our Heineken Cup clash with them is going to be a real challenge for my group of players. They are a very proud side and we are expecting a pretty physical and difficult game. Yet it is something all the players are looking forward to, especially the youngsters who will be exposed to that environment for the first time.”

The Scarlets remained in fourth place with their 50-point demolition of Border Reivers last weekend though they closed the gap on leaders Leinster to eight points with a game in hand, albeit against their local rivals.

Davies is due to name his team today but has promised there will be “only three changes” to the side that finished the emphatic home win over Borders. That is likely to see British Lions half-backs Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel given the week off though star centre Regan King is expected to start.

“Mentally the players are in pretty good shape for this time of year and their focus is firmly on winning two titles,” added Davies. “Even though we are coming to the end of eight months of solid rugby everyone is still relatively fresh. Most players in the group have had an average of between 14 and 17 wins so have plenty of rugby left in their legs.”