Scarlets will thrive on big day
April 22, 2002

Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins is still in the dark as to his final line-up for the clash with Leicester Tigers at the City Ground in Nottingham on Saturday - but whoever pulls on the Scarlets jersey will do the Welsh flag bearers proud.

That is the no-nonsense message from Rupert Moon, the Wales scrum half who made an emotional farewell to Stradey Park on Saturday as a late replacement in the 40-14 victory over Glasgow Rugby that took Llanelli to the top of the Welsh/Scottish League.

Moon, still very much a member of the playing squad for the remainder of his 12th season with the club, declared: "This sort of occasion just sparks the imagination of the whole club and town.

"The players are straining on the leash at being part of such a high profile event, of thinking of just what might be.

"A lot of hard work has gone into getting to the Heineken Cup semi-finals and there is no trepidation - we love and thrive on the big occasion - while having the utmost respect for who we are playing against."

And Moon is quick to point to the possibilities of history repeating itself - or, as he sees it, "lighting striking in the same place twice.
"It is 10 years since we beat Australia in a one-off game and that season we did the treble...the cup, league and the Wallabies. Who is to say that, a decade on, the Scarlets aren't ready for more glory?

"Because Llanelli love the spotlight and now it is up to us to perform on this massive, massive European stage.
"There are a few bandages holding some of the squad together at the moment but, from 1 to 28 in the squad they are all going to have to step up the plate and do the business.

"And, of course, you can't get a much bigger rush than from playing in the Heineken Cup semi-finals against Leicester. That buzz will help ease any aches and pains."

However, the headache for Jenkins is getting it right in the selection room and the coach stated: "I still do not know my selection for the semi-final. There are three or four issues to be resolved. It is going to be the hardest selection process I am ever going to have to make.

"Having watched Leicester against Leeds on Friday night I think it is going to be a forward battle. I am in no doubt they intend to make a concentrated forward effort against us at the start of the match. They are going to mix it with us in the first 20 minutes.

"Now I don't want the boys on their feet too much after playing three games in a week. A lot of our work will be with the video and on working out a stratgey."

And while the Scarlets will be the underdogs, captain Scott Quinnell insists "it is a one-off, it does not matter what happened last week, this week or whenever.

"It is going to be tough and we have had two big games between the sides already. There have not been any tries but each game has been exciting, tough and physical.

"But if you didn't think you could win, there would no point us, or Leicester even going to Nottingham - I would be happy with a 3-0 win."

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