Scott Williams has told his Scarlets teammates it is time to put right a decade of under-achievement by lifting the Guinness Pro12 trophy.
The region face Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night as outsiders to lift the trophy, despite their stunning semi-final play-off victory over Leinster a week ago.
Munster – who will be infused by a burning desire to mark the passing of Anthony Foley with a triumph in his honour – are the bookies’ favourites with most giving them a seven-point handicap.
But Wales centre Williams, 26, says the Scarlets are also fired up after 10 years of no requirement to open the doors to their trophy cabinet.
The region last won the old Celtic League title in 2004 and Williams says: “I’ve been here 10 years and we’ve made one semi-final.
“I’m not that old, but when you get older you realise there are less opportunities to win silverware and when the opportunities come around you have to take them with both hands.
“We’ve played in some big games this season and those boys have shown that they can compete with the best.
“I think this is probably the best squad we’ve had, definitely since I’ve been here. We’ve always had a good 15, we’ve now got boys competing.
“Some boys are really unlucky not to be involved, some boys are really unlucky to be on the bench. That’s a good thing; you can’t win trophies with 15 men. That’s why we believe we can go all the way. We’re definitely not here to make up the numbers.
“We’re all good mates, that’s the special thing really. I think you could see after the game [against Leinster], the amount of hard work we’ve put in this season, we didn’t get the best of starts but we’ve had an incredible run of wins since then.
“Since I was a kid the only team I’ve wanted to play for is the Scarlets and it’s nice that we’ve got an opportunity this weekend to win the league.”
After six years at Parc y Scarlets, Liam Williams will play his final match for the region before he joins Saracens.
The Wales wing or full-back will join up with the Lions after the final for his first Lions tour and then return from New Zealand to play for England’s most successful club of recent season.
Williams said: “I don’t want to count my eggs before they’ve hatched, but to lift the trophy would mean the world to me. I’ve been at the Scarlets for six years and the final is going to be huge.
“If we actually go out there and win the Pro12, it couldn’t get any better for me. Six years is a long, long time and I’m excited for the game. I’m sure the whole of the squad is as well.
“In the past couple of weeks we have beaten Ospreys at home and we’ve just been to Leinster and beaten them as well,” said Williams. “Last weekend against Leinster every single part of our game was outstanding. We’ve been back in this week and the energy is up. The mood is really good and all the boys are enjoying a laugh and a joke.
“I think it will be a great atmosphere in the Aviva Stadium. There is nothing better than having the crowd being really loud. It spurs us on. I just can’t wait to get out there now and stuff up Munster.
“They have a really big pack and a couple of sharp backs, but as long as we get our own house in order we are really looking forward to the challenge. I’m going to give it my all and we’ll see where we are after the game. Hopefully I can end on a high.”
Williams’ fellow Lions tourist Jonathan Davies will be alongside him, but Ken Owens remains injured and absent. Munster include their three Lions – Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Conor Murray.
O’Mahony said: “I’m already very proud of what we’ve done this year, but I really think Munster deserve some silverware, because of how the supporters have been supporting the club, and the way everyone stuck together in the last few years.
“Even last year, when they had to qualify for Europe in those last three matches, the club has been really standing together. For me personally, it would be a great honour, but for the club and the supporters, they’re who needs a trophy, and hopefully we can get it today.”
Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; CJ Stander, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony (captain), Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Brian Scott, Stephen Archer, Jean Deysel, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Jaco Taute
Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Steffan Evans; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; John Barclay (captain), James Davies, Aaron Shingler, Tadhg Beirne, Lewis Rawlins, Samson Lee, Ryan Elias, Rob Evans
Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Will Boyde, Jonathan Evans, Hadleigh Parkes, DTH Van der Merwe
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).
Overall head-to-head record: Played 28, Munster won 16, Scarlets won 10 with 2 games drawn.
Last three seasons: (2014-15) Munster 17 Scarlets 6. Scarlets 25 Munster 25. (2015-16) Scarlets 25 Munster 25. Munster 31 Scarlets 15. (2016-17) Scarlets 13 Munster 23.
Form guide: Munster – W W W W W. Scarlets – W W W W W.
Betting (Paddy Power): 2/7 Munster, 19/1 Draw, 11/4 Scarlets. Handicap odds (Scarlets +8pts) 10/11 Munster, 25/1 Draw, 10/11 Scarlets.
