TIME TO TURN ON THE STYLE
New boss Delaney wants his Scarlets to entertain
WELSH rugby returns today with new Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney demanding his players celebrate the lifting of lockdown in style against Cardiff Blues.
A five-month hiatus comes to an end with back-to-back derbies for the Welsh regions in a contrived conclusion to the Pro14.
The shortening of the season lengthens the odds on any Welsh representation in the play-offs with Scarlets the only region who can make it. Their task has been made harder by the loss of six rounds but Delaney is glad just to be playing again.
“Anything you do is not necessarily going to be fair but we need to get games on to start the wheel turning,” said Delaney, who has stepped up at Parc y Scarlets after the departure of Brad Mooar.
“We have more challenges than most leagues based on the number of countries who play in it and I think we have come up with a pretty good solution.
“Leinster are straight into a semi-final which is probably fair as they are the best side.The rest of us don’t really get the chance to catch up or compete but that’s OK. We will have a conclusion to the Pro14.
“Let’s get out there and have a crack. I just want us to get on the field on Saturday and play against the Blues with a smile on our faces and a bit of cheer in the heart because we are back doing what we love.
“We know it is going to be a tough encounter against a very good Cardiff Blues side, let’s hope for a dry day so we can give the ball some air and play the type of rugby we want to.”
In Conference B Scarlets have an eight-point deficit to make up on secondplaced
Munster.
With two sides going through to the semi-finals from each conference it is a tough ask. Normally, European qualification would be up for grabs too but the Pro14 has decided to base that on the positions before lockdown, which means Scarlets and Dragons will compete in next season’s Champions Cup. The August derbies offer a glimpse of the possibilities around summer rugby. Delaney believes it should represent the future in Wales when fans are allowed back. “I think it plays into everyone’s hands,” said the Kiwi. “My view is that if we were to play in better conditions it is going to entice mums, dads and kids along on an evening when it isn’t cold, horrible and difficult to watch.”