The Scarlets and the Ospreys have much to live up to after the Cardiff Blues’ display last weekend, says Robin Davey. But there are plenty of reasons for genuine optimism.
It’s a big weekend for rugby in the west, with both the Scarlets and the Ospreys facing key qualification games.
For the Scarlets, already buoyed by a hugely successful season which saw them reach the European Champions Cup semi-finals, it means a trip to Scotland to face Glasgow in a Guinness Pro 14 play-off on Friday night.
The Ospreys take on Ulster in their Belfast stronghold on Sunday, the winners clinching the last place in next season’s Champions Cup.
The Scarlets have already suffered a body blow with the loss of ace kicker Leigh Halfpenny with a hamstring injury, though coach Wayne Pivac is optimistic he’ll be fit for the final if the Scarlets make it.
Balancing the loss of Halfpenny to an extent, though, is the timely return of Kiwi Johnny McNicholl who has been out for some time with a shoulder injury.
Glasgow made rapid strides under now Scotland coach Gregor Townsend after years in decline and they have a new Scotstoun headquarters with a new artificial pitch and greatly increased attendances.
They’re now coached by New Zealander Dave Rennie, who is believed to be one of the few candidates, ironically along with Pivac, to be next Wales coach when Warren Gatland leaves after next year’s World Cup.
So, the clash of the rival coaches adds an extra spark to the occasion.
This is a tough one to call, though, but maybe Glasgow edge it on their Pro 14 form throughout the season. The Scottish side topped the Conference A table with 76 points from 15 victories compared with the Scarlets’ 70 points from 14 wins and a second place finish in Conference B.
So, there’s little in it and while Glasgow will draw comfort from their home advantage, the Scarlets are relatively fresh from their Champions Cup semi-final.
Though they were well beaten by eventual champions Leinster, they realise that with a limited budget and resources they did really well to reach the last four. Maybe this play-off really is too tight to call.
The Ospreys lost to Ulster only last month, going down narrowly 8-0, and on their own ground in front of their fanatical fans, the Ulstermen are probably slight favourites.
It’s been a largely disappointing season for the Ospreys, finishing fourth in Conference B and losing seven of their games. But better times surely lie ahead with the recruitment of George North and Scott Williams among others.
Qualification for next season’s Champions Cup would be just the ticket for them to launch a significant recovery by their own high standards.
Meanwhile, in the east, Cardiff Blues are still celebrating their glorious Challenge Cup success when they pipped rivals Gloucester by a point in a thrilling final in Bilbao, courtesy of a last ditch penalty by a nerveless Gareth Anscombe.
One shadow over the achievement was the shoulder injury which forced Josh Navidi off in the early stages and has ruled him out of Wales’ summer tour next month, taking in a Test against South Africa in Washington and two Tests against Argentina.
Navidi has enjoyed a fantastic season, culminating in him winning the annual Welsh Rugby Writers’ player-of-the-year award, pipping Ken Owens by one vote.
The Blues will be boosted next season by the return of Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton, though only this week he admitted he doesn’t expect to automatically win his place back, not with the form of Ellis Jenkins, just chosen as joint captain of Wales for their forthcoming tour along with Dragons lock Cory Hill.
There are also concerns that recruitment by the Blues – so far, at any rate – has been zero while the loss to Wasps of inspirational coach Danny Wilson, who masterminded their brilliant second half of the season, will be keenly felt.
Number two Matt Sherratt is also leaving, joining up with the Ospreys.
A lot rests on the shoulders of relatively unknown Australian John Mulvihill, who has succeeded Wilson and much needs to be done during the summer if they are to build on their success.
The Dragons’ recruitment has been well documented, as has the drive and ambition on the new hierarchy, headed by chairman David Buttress.
The jury is still out on their chances of bridging the gap on the others regions, but with 14 new recruits on board there is every chance of a significant improvement next season.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the Scarlets and the Ospreys this weekend.
