Jones demands Scarlets are clinical
April 27, 2002

Llanelli fly-half Stephen Jones has demanded his side take every scoring chance they earn against Leicester tomorrow in what is expected to be a very closely contested Heineken Cup semi-final.

"We've played Leicester twice this season, and neither team has scored a try, which shows how well-organised the defences have been," Jones said.

"If you are exerting pressure and getting penalties, then it is up to me as the goalkicker to convert that pressure into points.

"But I think that this time we will have to be far more creative and patient in attack.

"In big games like this one, you've got to be very clinical. If you get half a chance, then you've got to take it because you might not get another one.

"It is not like a league match, where you might create five or six scoring opportunities and take three. In semi-finals, you have to take what opportunities you get.

"Leicester are going to play to their strengths. They will look for forward dominance - I would imagine that they will look to take us up front.

"For us, the games against Leicester this season have been a huge step up, because you are not used to the intensity week in, week out because Leicester's domestic league is of a higher standard than ours."

"A lot of the guys in our squad have played international rugby, whether it is for Wales, Ireland, Tonga or the USA, whatever, so they are accustomed to the big occasion," Jones said.

"This semi-final is as big as it gets at club level, and as far as I am concerned, it is on a par with an international.

"I'm looking forward to playing opposite Austin Healey. He is a brilliant player, and it is a great opportunity for me.

"And I am also aware of the threat their back-three poses. If we have to kick, then our kicks have got to be right on the button, otherwise Leicester are going to exploit it.

"If we don't kick well, they will punish us."

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