March is normally the mournful month for Welsh rugby when the regions reflect on what might have been. Instead, the Scarlets can still prove themselves the best team in Europe, while the Cardiff Blues also have a chance for silverware. Robin Davey says there are encouraging signals for both.
One from the west and one from the east as the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues fly the flag for Wales in Europe this Easter weekend.
This is where it gets serious as the two competitions reach the knock-out stages, the Scarlets at home against La Rochelle in the senior tournament in what is sure to be a full-blooded quarter-final, while Cardiff Blues travel to Murrayfield to take on high-flying Edinburgh at the same stage in the Challenge Cup competition.
The Scarlets will be flat out to restore former glories in the major European tournament having regularly reached the semi-finals in years gone by.
Stephen Jones was very much a part of the Scarlets’ noble efforts then and will have a huge input this week in his role as backs coach, with head honcho Wayne Pivac admitting this week that his assistant rarely stopped talking about that vintage era and his desperation to repeat it.
The Scarlets are in the knockout stages for the first time since 2007 and it will be the first time for such a game to be staged at Parc-Y-Scarlets.
Given the atmosphere for their last home pool game there against French aces Toulon, it’s going to be some occasion, reflected by the fact that all 15,000+ tickets were gone within hours of going on sale.
The Scarlets also triumphed at the Rec against Bath after losing to them in the home encounter, another terrific clash.
Opponents La Rochelle lie fifth in the Top 14 competition and they’re a big, powerful side, but one that places the emphasis on moving the ball as Pivac acknowledges.
Like so many French teams, they tend to win their home games where they place such stress – only to often lose on their travels.
For example, they have beaten Harlequins, Wasps and Ulster at home in Europe only to lose against Pau, Clermont and Bordeaux in successive away matches in the league.
The Scarlets were beaten by Munster in the Pro 14 last weekend, but neither side was at full strength and the Scarlets welcome back big guns Leigh Halfpenny, Hadleigh Parkes, Ken Owens, Rob Evans and Tadgh Beirne for the quarter-final, Parkes fresh from signing a new contract to remain for another few years.
It promises to be a humdinger, but with home advantage and the following of a fanatical full house, the Scarlets can ease their way into the semi-finals.
Cardiff Blues have hit a hot streak and were in fine fettle in their bonus point victory over Ulster in the Pro 14 last weekend.
They have revived after a difficult start to the season and are now in fourth position in Conference A, with a good chance of making it into the Champions Cup next season.
Outside-half Jarrod Evans has been a revelation and is putting real pressure on Gareth Anscombe, though Anscombe could switch to full back. Winger Owen Lane is another who has been in blistering form and he could well earn a place on Wales’ summer tour.
But Edinburgh have improved greatly under feisty head coach Richard Cockerill who previously enjoyed such success with Leicester.
The Blues have hit form in the Pro14, winning 10 and losing eight games compared with Edinburgh, who have won 13 and lost five in Conference B.
The Scottish team will benefit from being at home, though large parts of Murrayfield will be empty and lacking the atmosphere to really benefit them.
The Blues enjoyed a terrific 21-18 win in Lyon at the pool stages and also disposed of Toulouse and Sale at home so they are on a roll in both Europe and the Pro 14.
It’s going to be tough, but they are certainly capable of winning this tie.
Two teams in the last four of European competition – now that would be some achievement and, for once, regional fans would have something to savour right through to the end of the season.
