By Paul Jones
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has called on his players to use their semi-final defeat in the Challenge Cup as motivation to grow and improve for next season.
The Llanelli region were beaten 35-17 by Glasgow Warriors at a packed Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
After the game, Peel reflected on the loss, saying: “I thought at half-time it was an even contest and we were right in it.
“Glasgow started both halves well, they had a good maul, a strong set-piece and we probably weren’t quite as accurate as we could have been.”
Scarlets 17-35 Glasgow: Dwayne Peel's side run out of steam as injuries take toll in bruising Euro semi-final https://t.co/CHT682I18R
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) April 29, 2023
Peel also highlighted Scarlets’ missed opportunities to score, saying: “Around about 65 minutes I felt it was there for us to get right back in it at 28-17.
“We just didn’t manage to get over the line in their 22, we got bundled into touch twice, which was disappointing. I can’t fault the effort of our boys, I thought we were right in the game.”
Scarlets were also hit hard by injuries in the game, with Peel saying: “We had three head injury assessments (HIAs) in the first 20 minutes which is unheard of.
“To lose all three, and then to lose Vaea (Fifita) as well is difficult. That definitely hurt us later on in the game because they were bringing on fresh bodies, and we didn’t manage to get the fresh legs on.”
Peel was also asked about a key moment in the game, when Scarlets could have been awarded a penalty try with 12 minutes remaining following a knock-on by Glasgow full-back Ollie Smith.
Peel said: “It was definitely a key moment, yes. I have seen them given, but it wasn’t in our favour tonight so there’s no point harping on about it, it is done.
“At the time, I thought It could have been rewarded our way, that’s the way it goes, I am not here to say that is why we lost the game, we had opportunities after that to get back into the game.”
Glasgow secured a first European final with a thrilling Challenge Cup semi-final win over Scarlets in Llanelli.#BBCRugby
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) April 30, 2023
Looking back on the season as a whole, Peel said: “Obviously we started the season really poorly, but we turned things around and got some good results, especially here.
“We probably lost a bit of momentum after the Clermont game, but I am proud of the way everyone has applied themselves even in the dark times.
“A lot of young boys have had their first real season of professional rugby, consistently playing.
“We need to kick on now, consistency in the league is going to be something we will speak about when we come back. We just need to grow, we have had a taste of it.”
Peel also highlighted the experience gained by his younger players in the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup, saying: “The experience you get of playing knockout rugby and the pressure involved in it is invaluable. We will take a lot out of it.
“We will dust ourselves down, there is a long pre-season, we will have a good break and make sure we have done our prep and will apply ourselves when we get back.”
Congratulations @GlasgowWarriors on the victory and good luck in Dublin
Pob lwc i Glasgow yn y rownd derfynol#YmOHyd pic.twitter.com/8SbNluFwc6
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) April 29, 2023
