Rhys Patchell has promised the Scarlets will play without fear when they face the might of Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
The Wales outside-half insists the region’s best chance of upsetting the odds is to stay bold as they seek to make the European Champions Cup final in Bilbao next month.
Patchell was an instrumental part of the tactical approach that brushed aside both Bath and Toulon earlier in the campaign and paid handsome dividends this time last year when both Leinster and Munster were overwhelmed in Ireland by the verve and adventure of the men in red.
It may be a different tournament but Patchell insists there will be no half measures in an attacking sense just because they are in the Irish province’s home city for the crunch semi-final.
“Leinster are a side to be reckoned with and we are fully aware we must bring our A-game to the Aviva because we know they will be bringing theirs,” said the former Cardiff Blues star.
“They have a squad full of fantastic players, but what surprised teams in the last few weeks of last season was we really stuck to our guns and believed in the way we were playing.
“I am sure there will be little tweaks to the game plan, but by and large teams play the same all year round. It is potentially an incredible end to the season for us, but it could all come crashing down.
“It would be fantastic if we could reach the final, not just for the Scarlets but also for Welsh rugby. We are fully aware of just what an opportunity this is, but that’s all it is at the moment.”
The Scarlets have been Welsh rugby’s standard-bearers again this season and remain in contention to defend their Guinness Pro14 title which they won against Munster at the Aviva last season. Patchell is relishing the thought of what might yet be an historic double.
“These four-week periods don’t come along very often. It is exciting and if we get things right, it could be unbelievable,” he added. “The mantra is the same every week: get Monday right, Tuesday right and Wednesday right and then fire all of our bullets on Saturday.
“When I went to sleep after the quarter-final it was a relief to get it over with because it was such a big build-up to that game with all the talk about reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 11 years. It was such a big deal and I was relieved we got it right on the day.
“You get excited about thinking about what could be, but I am very aware that every day until then counts.”
Patchell helped the Scarlets thrash Munster at the Aviva in last season’s Pro14 final, and his impressive domestic form saw him begin Wales’ Six Nations matches against Scotland and England.
The 24-year-old now faces a task just as demanding as that international defeat at Twickenham – where he endured a difficult afternoon – with the prospect of a head-to-head against Ireland and Lions maestro Johnny Sexton to determine who can bring the greater influence and control.
“The Aviva is not the biggest capacity in world rugby, but there is a big wall of sound there. It is an exciting place to play,” Patchell said.
“Johnny Sexton is a fantastic rugby player with a lot of Lions tours behind him. You don’t do that unless you are very good at what you do. He is the fulcrum for what Leinster do, but they have a conveyor belt of talent. Everyone knows what is required of them when they play for Leinster, they all understand the system.
“There is a lot of talent, experience and quality in their squad. It doesn’t really matter who Leinster put on the field, they are always a formidable side.”
