Scarlets now have the grunt up front to match their flair

IT’S a new dawn once again with the start of Europe this weekend and as ever I’m finding it hard to predict how the pools will pan out.

The Scarlets are Wales’ best hope of getting one of the regions into the knockout stage and how good would it be if they managed that? It would be a much-needed fillip for the game in this country.

The Champions Cup has been a dream well out of reach for the regions’ reach for too long now and while I’m not expecting the Scarlets to go and win the tournament this season, I firmly believe they can trouble some of the best sides in the competition.

With the Ospreys struggling, I was pleased to read Wayne Pivac saying he is really targetting Europe this season. There’s been a lot of talk about the Scarlets’ expansive style of play domestically and I hope we can see that in Europe again – but what I have really been encouraged by is the forward grunt the boys from Llanelli are showing.

To compete against teams like Toulon and Bath, you can play all the rugby you like but unless you match them up front, you’ve got no chance. In previous European campaigns, the Scarlets haven’t been able to do that.

Now, though, I think things are different. Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee are going great guns in the front row and I’ve been impressed by guys like Tadhg Beirne, Lewis Rawlins and Will Boyde. These are men who don’t get many headlines, but they’re invaluable to what the Scarlets are doing right now.

Pivac’s pack have mixed it with the best in the PRO14 so far this term, but a trip to Toulon on the opening weekend will be the ultimate test.

They showed last year by beating the French side on home soil that they can compete with teams at this level. The Scarlets have undoubtedly improved since then, and if they can gain at least parity in the tight, they have the players to do damage behind the scrum.

In Steffan Evans, Rhys Patchell and Jonathan Davies, Pivac has backs at the top of their game who can destroy any defence. I also think having Leigh Halfpenny in their side can take the Scarlets to the next level. To be successful in Europe you need someone who can kick goals from anywhere and Leigh can certainly do that. Three points after three points – especially if it’s from range – can destroy an opposition’s morale and keep you on the front foot.

All things considered, I believe the Scarlets can go to the next level in the coming weeks.

The sad thing is I can’t see the other Welsh regions hitting the same heights.