Gareth Thomas has turned the heat up on the Scarlets by claiming they disrespected the Ospreys before their first derby meeting.
The alleged slight didn’t seem to provoke a lasting response from the Ospreys last weekend, however, as after racing into a 17-0 lead, they then conceded 38 unanswered points before finally suffering a 38-22 defeat.
But Wales prop Thomas has at least tried to put some flames under the re-match on Sunday when the rivals meet in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup in Swansea, eight days after their URC clash at Parc y Scarlets.
Thomas has insisted he and his squad are “hissing” after both their shambolic collapse a week ago and also still irritated by a pre-game video where Scarlets players are alleged to have suggested they held no respect for their rivals.
It’s understood that was an interview done with the BBC by Scarlets and Wales forward Taine Plumtree.
“It’s a physical sport and when you see videos of them saying they are not going to respect you going into games, it does put a bit of spice into it,” said Thomas.
“It gives it a bit of edge. We’ve all watched that. In any game against the Scarlets there are going to be big collisions, but I think you can probably expect a bit more of that.”
It may seem a minor thing to get upset about, but it’s certain the Ospreys need something to fuel a sense of revenge, since they were so inferior for the last hour of the first match in which they conceded six tries.
It also marks a refreshing attempt to add some much-needed hype into domestic Welsh rugby, coming off the back of a disastrous Six Nations campaign.
“There is a lot of spice going into the contest, because it’s a knockout game,” added Thomas.
“We also didn’t like the way the game last week went. There were a couple of areas where they got on top of us and we also tries to back ourselves not to concede that many tries.
“I would say there’s a lot of edge going into this game. We are definitely hissing for Sunday.”
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones has shuffled his pack significantly and shaken up his back line, too.Jones has opted for nine changes from the team that lost in Llanelli, bringing back several key players, including Wales hooker Dewi Lake, who is set to make his first start since undergoing bicep surgery in December.
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Also returning to the forward pack are tight head prop Tom Botha and second row Rhys Davies.
Flanker Justin Tipuric features once more, joining a dynamic back row alongside Wales captain Jac Morgan—who shifts to the blindside—and the ever-consistent Morgan Morris at No. 8.
“We’re looking forward to this one,” said Jones.
“Ospreys v Scarlets is always a massive fixture and for it to be the first time the teams have faced each other in the knockout rounds of an EPCR competition, it adds an extra edge.
“We’re expecting a big crowd on the weekend, which is brilliant.
“We know our supporters will get behind the boys and be our 16th man, which is what Welsh derbies are all about.”
The backs have also seen a shake-up. Jack Walsh is named at full-back, flanked by Dan Kasende and Keelan Giles on the wings.
Keiran Williams returns from injury to reform his centre pairing with Evardi Boshoff, while Reuben Morgan-Williams replaces Keiran Hardy at scrum-half. Dan Edwards keeps hold of the No. 10 jersey.
Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel, meanwhile, has kept faith with the bulk of the team that overturned a 17-point deficit last weekend, making just two changes.
Ryan Elias replaces Marnus van der Merwe at hooker, and Jac Price comes into the second row for Alex Craig.
The Scarlets’ backline remains unchanged, with Blair Murray, Macs Page, and Ellis Mee forming the back three.
Joe Roberts and Eddie James continue in midfield, while Ioan Lloyd and Gareth Davies retain their places at half-back.
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Up front, Elias joins Alec Hepburn and Henry Thomas in the front row, Price slots in next to Sam Lousi in the engine room, and the back row remains unchanged with Vaea Fifita, Taine Plumtree, and captain Josh Macleod.
“We realise it will be a different challenge this week,” said Peel.
“It takes me back to the old December double headers in the Heineken Cup.
“Momentum is important and we need to carry that final 60 minutes of last Saturday into this game.
“The Ospreys will be pumped for it, we need to make sure from an emotional point of view we are right there and then we can play our game on the back of that.”
Sunday’s derby not only offers a shot at redemption for the Ospreys but also a place in the quarter-finals, where the victors will face either Lyon or the Sharks.
A win for the Ospreys would secure another home tie, while the Scarlets would be on the road if they advance.
