Friday night Pooler showdown will decide Llanelli’s fate

LLANELLI’S Principality Premiership future will be decided on Friday.

Paul Fisher’s side take on Pontypool at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground, with the winner sealing their place in the top flight next season.

Defeat for Llanelli would see them relegated to the Championship as the Premiership is reduced from 16 clubs to 12.

And while they will start favourites, Llanelli would do well not to underestimate the threat posed by the Gwent club.

Pontypool have just completed a perfect season in the Championship, winning all 22 of their matches as they strolled to the title by 30 points. It is the second season in a row they have won all their league matches.

Llanelli fell into the relegation play-off place at the weekend when Bridgend clinched safety thanks to their surprise 34-31 victory at Pontypridd.

The Parc y Scarlets men ended their season in style. They have not been beaten since March 8 as they embarked on a six-match winning streak that looked to have carried them to safety.

They have also benefited from a number of regional players, with the likes of Wales wing Tom Prydie and Australian centre Paul Asquith providing much-needed experience.

Fisher has said: “It’s really important for Llanelli to maintain a topclass side. It’s also important from a Scarlets point of view as well.

“It’s vital as a region that we’ve got three Premiership clubs so that we can serve the regional requirements.”