The 22-21 win in round four at Parc y Scarlets was the pick of two European wins last season for Ken Owens side and now they’ve got to do it all over again if they are going to reach the knock-out stages for the first time since 2008.
As well as RC Toulon, who were beaten by ASM Clermont Auvergne in last weekend’s French Championship final, the Scarlets will face Bath Rugby and PRO12 rivals Benetton Treviso.
“It is a tough group, but it is much the same for all the pools. It is a really tough competition and you have to win your home games and then steal something on the road,” said Scarlets team manager Mark Taylor.
“And having watched Toulon in the recent TOP 14 final it just reminds everyone of the massive challenge and huge physical test the three-times European champions will present in both the home and away matches.
“We know Benetton Treviso extremely well from our clashes with them each season in the PRO12, while the games against Bath Rugby will good old fashioned Anglo-Welsh rivalry. That rivalry goes back so many years and we are actually the current holders of the Rag Doll that the clubs have played for since 1921 after beating them in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.”
The Scarlets have only met Bath once before in Europe, winning 27-10 at The Recreation Ground in 2002 at the quarter-fnal stage, while they have won three of the four meetings with Treviso.
“Winning the PRO12 title was a great end to the season after a slow start – particularly in the fashion we did in it in the final stages with two trips to Ireland,” added Taylor.
“As the PRO12 champions we will be there to be shot at next season, you would not expect anything less, and that will be something of a new experience after generally being the underdogs. It will be vital we start next season as we finished the last, playing with the same spirit and flair, and keep that momentum going in Europe and the PRO12.”
Champions Cup Draw
Pool 1: Wasps, La Rochelle, Ulster, Harlequins.
Pool 2: Clermont, Saracens, Ospreys, Northampton Saints
Pool 3: Exeter Chiefs, Leinster, Montpellier, Glasgow Warriors
Pool 4: Munster, Racing 92, Leicester, Castres Olympique
Pool 5: Scarlets, RC Toulon, Bath, Benetton Treviso
