SCOTT PLEADS: GIVE US TIME
SCARLETS centre Scott Williams is appealing to supporters to “look at the bigger picture” after Friday’s hard-fought 34-28 win over Benetton in the United Rugby Championship.
Williams led a much-changed side without 10 Wales squad members.
It was only the second win in five under new head coach Dwayne Peel.
“Everything’s new, new head coach, attack coach, defence coach, so there’s a lot of information to take on board,” explained 51-cap Williams.
“You have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of what we’re trying to build here. Short term there’s a lot to work on and a lot of areas we need to improve, but it takes time.
“We’ve got a few weeks to work on some of those areas and go into the next period and the Christmas block better.”
Former playing favourite Peel returned to Parc y Scarlets from Ulster following short spells in charge for Brad Mooar, who was recruited by New Zealand, and Glenn Delaney.
Williams, 31, was restored to his previous captaincy role against the Italians after a three-year spell at the Ospreys, much of it dogged by injuries.
But former Wales scrum-half Peel is backing Williams’s ability to return to the international stage.
“He’s had a torrid two years, but he’s played a lot of rugby in this block and it’s great to see him back on the field,” Peel said.
“He’s mentally really tough and resilient, let’s not rush him but I’ve got no doubt he’ll play for Wales again.
Williams has not played for Wales under national coach Wayne Pivac, winning his most recent cap just before the 2019 World Cup, before centres such as fellow Scarlet Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins, and Willis Halaholo moved ahead of him in the pecking order.
“I’m enjoyed myself, the main thing is just getting game time and I know what I can do, it’s just taking baby steps,” said Williams.
“I haven’t spoken to Wayne. I haven’t played much in the last couple of seasons, so I’m focusing here at the Scarlets and it’s nice to enjoy it again after being in a tough place in the last couple of seasons.”
After heavy defeats to Munster and Leinster, Peel was relieved to pick up five points against Benetton despite a string of key decisions from Irish referee Chris Busby and television match official (TMO) Brian Macneice going against his side.
One Benetton try was reviewed for a forward pass and another for offside at a ruck, while two Steff Evans touchdowns were ruled out because of doubt over a grounding, then a marginal knock-on.
“It is frustrating, we’ll look at it again and ask the questions if there’s anything we need to talk about,” said Peel.
“If I’d been at the end of a loss, I might have had a different view on it.”
The opening 15 minutes on Friday was cagey, with both teams having probing attacks and feeling each other out.
But then the Scarlets landed a quick one-two as the game approached the midway point in the first half.
Dane Blacker sniped into the 22 to put the Scarlets on the front foot before the big men took over. And it was Rob Evans, on his 150th appearance, who barged his way over with his second carry of the move. Dan Jones converted.
Shortly after the restart, Steff Evans, Aaron Shingler and Sam Lousi threw consecutive offloads before Scott Williams stepped off his right and powered through a gap. He had scrum-half Blacker on his inside, who finished off a wonderful try. Jones added the extras again.
Benetton were game, though, and forced the Scarlets to defend desperately at times.
They eventually cracked around the half-hour mark when Dewaldt Duvenage sniped and played a onetwo with Monty Ioane to score a neat try.
Rhyno Smith’s conversion meant the score was 14-7 at the break.
Benetton struck four minutes into the half when loose-head Thomas Gallo picked from the base of a ruck outside the 22 and barged his way through Ioan Nicholas on the way to the line. Smith’s conversion levelled the scores.
But the Scarlets settled and got themselves back in front through a penalty from fly-half Jones.
The hosts extended their lead in the 55th minute. Wing Evans had a try ruled out before hooker Marc Jones was carried over the line by a powerful driving maul. Jones converted to make it a 10-point game.
But the lead was soon cut when Gallo crossed for his second from close range three minutes later. A try that, in truth, was a little too straightforward.
Then came a moment of real brilliance from Scarlets centre Williams, who gathered a loose ball with one hand, waved it in Marco Zanon’s face before stepping his opposite number and breaking in behind.
Blacker was once again on hand to receive the scoring pass and replacement Angus O’brien knocked over the conversion and then added a penalty soon after.
But Tommaso Menoncello picked off the replacement fly-half ’s pass with eight minutes remaining to race under the sticks and Smith made it a six-point game.
The Italians had two attacking opportunities in the closing stages, but the Scarlets held on for a muchneeded victory.
The Scarlets now have a break during the international window before visiting South Africa for games against Sharks on November 27 and Bulls six days later, followed by a European Champions Cup match away to Bristol Bears in a demanding schedule.