By Graham Thomas
Dwayne Peel has warned his Scarlets youngsters they are in for a Shed-load of abuse on Friday night – and he couldn’t be happier.
The Scarlets coach sends his team across the border to face Gloucester, knowing that a victory over the in-form English club will put them in sight of a place in the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup and the last 16.
But Peel also knows some of his more inexperienced players will not be used to playing in front of the Cherry and Whites’ famed Shed – the touchline-long terrace at Kingsholm.
“It’s an awesome place to play,” said Peel, who played at the stadium as a player with both the Scarlets and Sale.
“You get called every name under the sun. You make an error, they let you know about it. They will undoubtedly be after us in The Shed.
“But that will be a brilliant experience, particularly for the younger players in the squad and an exciting opportunity for us as a group.”
Cyhoeddiad Tîm | Team Announcement ⚔️
Our Scarlets team to face @gloucesterrugby on Friday evening at Kingsholm Stadium
Rd 3 EPCR Challenge Cup
⏰ 8pm
Premier SportsTîm y Scarlets i wynebu Caerloyw ar nos Wener yn Kingsholm #ChallengeCupRugby #YmaOHyd pic.twitter.com/7HSossVs4b
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) January 9, 2025
The Shed-heads usually reserve their most abusive welcome for two types of opposition player – those from Bath, or those from anywhere in Wales.
But aside from the boos and the jeers every time they touch the ball, the Scarlets may also have difficulty dealing with Gloucester’s pace and attacking flair.
Those were not qualities usually associated with the West Country club, famed for hard forwards and gritty nine-man rugby.
But Gloucester have been a revelation this season under coach George Skivington and their thrilling counter-attacking style reached new heights with last week’s 31-20 win over Sale in the Gallagher Premiership.
“I think they want to play from most parts of the field,” says Peel, who has been particularly impressed with Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, who, surprisingly, is rested from the starting line up and will be among the replacements.
“If you think back a couple years, Gloucester were very kick-dominated. They box-kicked and chased behind a very abrasive pack of forwards.
“But now they’ve obviously altered their style of play. They want to play with ambition and they want to play with the ball in hand.
“They played Sale last week, who have one of the best defences in the Premiership, but they managed to cut them a number of times.
“I think the pressure game for us is going to be really important and not giving them time.”
Hatric yn Super Rygbi Cymru penwythnos diwethaf, dechrau yn Ewrop yn erbyn Caerloyw penwythnos hyn. Da iawn Macs Page
From a hat trick in Super Rygbi Cymru, to starting against Gloucester, all in one week for Macs Page!pic.twitter.com/jwjW4VvX9J https://t.co/mI3UW7i4qq
— S4C Rygbi (@S4CRygbi) January 9, 2025
While Williams is on the bench, his Wales half-back partner at Gloucester, Gareth Anscombe, does not make the squad after suffering a knee injury last week, which will be a concern for Wales coach Warren Gatland ahead of the Six Nations
Those who reckon Wales need new blood in that tournament will be pleased to see the Scarlets have given a first start in European competition to Macs Page at centre.
The Wales U20s international is one of six changes to the team that triumphed over the Dragons on New Year’s Day.
With Tom Rogers sidelined due to a groin injury, Ioan Lloyd steps into the role of full-back. Blair Murray and Ellis Mee retain their positions on the wings.
Page teams up with Eddie James in a youthful centre partnership, with Joe Roberts ready to provide backup from the substitutes’ bench. Johnny Williams misses out as he recovers from a foot issue.
At half-back, another promising homegrown player, Archie Hughes, takes the reins at scrum-half alongside Wales international Sam Costelow.
Peel added: “We have a real competitive pool in the Challenge Cup, so picking up points is important, particularly away from home, as it always has been in Europe.”
Two of the other Welsh regions are in action in the Challenge Cup on Saturday, with Cardiff away in the south of France at Perpignan, and the Ospreys at home to Newcastle.
On Sunday, the Dragons are also up against French opposition when they host Pau.
It’s likely must-win territory already for the Ospreys and the Dragons, but just as important for Wales is the opportunity for players to prove their fitness over the next couple of weeks before the Six Nations.
Gatland will be relieved, therefore, that Elliot Dee is fit to start for the Dragons after recent injury problems, given the long-term absences of his rivals for the hooker’s jersey, Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias.
Dwayne Peel Says Scarlets Are Growing Up Fast As They And Dragons Back Up Cardiff’s Win
