Scarlets v Connacht; 30th March 2014 - 14:05 RTE

phatguerilla wrote: FWIW...

I'm sure others have noticed this already but Scarlets are only ahead of us by one win and a draw, so they're hardly steaming ahead.

Scarlets may not be much better than us (then again they probably are) but that's not the issue - we probably need to win all 5, definitely 4 of 5, to finish in 6th due to Scarlets' soft run-in.

Let's assume we paste them 31-8 or similar (four tries to zero). That would leave us one point ahead (a win without a bonus point leaves them ahead on wins).

The run-ins are then:

Round 19
Ulster V Connacht
Scarlets v Zebre

Round 20
Cardiff v Scarlets
Connacht v Munster

Round 21
Connacht v Cardiff
Scarlets v Dragons

Round 22
Ospreys v Connacht
Scarlets V Cardiff

Unreassuringly it will be the same TMO from the Dragons game this week! Good news is McShaz is fit but JHW sounds unlikely

Scarlets v Connacht this Sunday
25th March 2014

The Connacht team are in Wales again this week and will face Scarlets on Sunday 30th March, kick off 2:05pm. It promises to be a thrilling clash as both teams look to get and stay within the all-important top six of the RaboDirect PRO12 table.

With a four try bonus point winning victory over the Dragons at the weekend Connacht have narrowed the gap between themselves and the Scarlets and are now just four points behind the West Wales region in seventh position.

The Scarlets, in sixth with 36 points, will be looking to make the most of the home advantage this Sunday to ensure a victory.

Scarlets have slipped to successive RaboDirect PRO12 losses, away at Ulster and at Glasgow. The Welshmen have won their last three matches in all tournaments at Parc y Scarlets.

Connacht have won their last four PRO12 matches and climbed from 12th to 7th spot in the table in the process. Another victory would equal their best ever run in the competition set way back in 2002.

Scarlets have won their last four encounters against Connacht; whilst the Irish province’s most recent victory in Llanelli came in October 2004 at the old Stradey Park.

Scarlets v Connacht
At Parc y Scarlets, 2.05pm.
Live on BBCWales / RTE
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 58th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies, Martyn Lewis (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Russell Howell (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)

salmson wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: FWIW...

I'm sure others have noticed this already but Scarlets are only ahead of us by one win and a draw, so they're hardly steaming ahead.

Scarlets may not be much better than us (then again they probably are) but that's not the issue - we probably need to win all 5, definitely 4 of 5, to finish in 6th due to Scarlets' soft run-in.

Let's assume we paste them 31-8 or similar (four tries to zero). That would leave us one point ahead (a win without a bonus point leaves them ahead on wins).

You're 100% right and if we could even have swapped the timing of this game and the cardiff one it probably would have eased the run in somewhat, but I'm looking solely at the next game; Scarlets bet Munster in Wales and are a decent outfit but right now there's not much to separate us and them and it should be an exciting and close contest.

Looking at the run-ins, it's extremely unlikely that we'll catch Scarlets, but taking it one game at a time is the only sensible approach.

As an aside, I was happy to discover the game is being shown live on RTE, but my happiness waned when I realised it's Mother’s day on Sunday. Spending the afternoon in front of the telly watching rugby would be frowned upon.

RonanL wrote: Looking at the run-ins, it's extremely unlikely that we'll catch Scarlets, but taking it one game at a time is the only sensible approach.

As an aside, I was happy to discover the game is being shown live on RTE, but my happiness waned when I realised it's Mother’s day on Sunday. Spending the afternoon in front of the telly watching rugby would be frowned upon.

Get her a voucher for somewhere, that needs to be used on Sunday, or even better. Offer to take the kids out for a couple of hours on Sunday, so she can relax. Then bring the kids to Grandads house for the match

Team's out: an as-you-were selection for the Scarlets match, numbers 1 to 23 as per the Dragons game.

Can't seem to open the bloody connacht website link but the facebook preview notes it is an unchanged team. If JHW, McSharry, Masterson, Browne and Kearney are all fit and functioning then that's great. Expect we will see much the same gameplan which is grand I think it worked great last week but Scarlets have more guile than Dragons. Hopefully Griffin can make some turn overs or Masterson has been practising this all week, otherwise Connacht will be under an awful lot of pressure as I can't imagine Scarlets making as many mistakes as Dragons did. Really looking forward to the game.

15 Liam Williams, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Jonathan Davies ©, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Jordan Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 John Barclay, 8 Sione Timani

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Jacobie Adriaanse, Richard Kelly, Lewis Rawlins, Rhodri Williams, Aled Thomas, Gareth Maule

Strongest Scarlets team possible

theCulk wrote: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Jonathan Davies ©, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Jordan Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 John Barclay, 8 Sione Timani

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Jacobie Adriaanse, Richard Kelly, Lewis Rawlins, Rhodri Williams, Aled Thomas, Gareth Maule

Strongest Scarlets team possible

Except Priestland and J.Davies no one is individualy scary.. team work will be the difference

They've had a good scrum this year. Don't know where their line out is at these days but the threat of Connacht's maul will force them to defend the possibility even if we don't always take that option.

A little concerned about McSharry and Masterson being named in the team considering their injuries. Would think any grade of concussion would have ruled McSharry out for a week or two unless it has gotten to the stage that any bump to the head is now called a concussion. And a broken nose could hinder Masterson's role. He was off a couple of times with blood against the Dragons, as a 7 it won't take much for it to be an issue again. I'm just getting the feeling injuries are spreading the squad thin and it is going to catch up to them in this game. Still no Poolman and he is not mentioned in the injury list, what's up?

That is a strong enough Scarlets team and they will be happy to be home after a couple of away losses. The Connacht defense will have to continue to be solid and the the backs will have to play a bigger role going forward.

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 18
Llanelli Scarlets v Connacht Sunday 30th March 14:05
On TV: RTE/BBC Wales

After recording 4 consecutive league victories (including three 4 try bonus points) for the first time in almost 12 years, Connacht will be hoping to continue their upward momentum when they visit Parc Y Scarlets on Sunday. With 6th place likely to ensure a place in next season's premier European competition both sides will be eager to pick up a win. However, Connacht will have to break more long standing records to get the result, with victory away to Scarlets last happening almost 10 years ago.

Llanelli Scarlets Stats
Founded: 2003
Ground: Parc Y Scarlets
Capacity: 14,870
Captain: Rob McCusker / Jonathon Davies
Coach: Simon Easterby

Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2013/14: 6th P:17 Pts: 36
Ravo Direct Pro 12 2012/13: 4th (Beaten 28-17 by Ulster in the semi-final) Points:66
Heineken Cup 2013/14: 3rd in Pool 4 Points: 11
Heineken Cup 2012/13: 4th in Pool 5 Points: 2
Anglo-Welsh Cup 2013/14: 3rd in Pool 4 Points: 8
Anglo-Welsh Cup 2012/13: 3rd in Pool 3 Points: 8

Recent Results
Glasgow 14-6 Scarlets
Scarlets 18-13 Munster
Scarlets 25-21 Edinburgh

Next Fixture:
Saturday 12th April 2014 18:30 Scarlets v Zebre @ Parc Y Scarlets

Heineken Cup (Pool 4) (Final Standings)
Clermont 24
Harlequins 16
Scarlets 11
Racing Metro 7

Previous Meetings

Saturday 23rd November 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Connacht 21-24 Scarlets

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/13442.php

Friday 8th February 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Scarlets 25-15 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12340.php

connachta wrote:

theCulk wrote: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Jonathan Davies ©, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Jordan Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 John Barclay, 8 Sione Timani

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Jacobie Adriaanse, Richard Kelly, Lewis Rawlins, Rhodri Williams, Aled Thomas, Gareth Maule

Strongest Scarlets team possible

Except Priestland and J.Davies no one is individualy scary.. team work will be the difference

Thought Priestland was Englands best player when they played Wales in the 6 Nations. Spoke volumes when the only players on that starting Wales XV that day which didn't make the Lions was the new scrum half (Webb), the second row (Ball), as well as Priestland.

Has Danie Poolman picked up another injury or is Pat Lam just sticking with a winning squad. I'd certainly have him on for such an important game if available.