Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel sat down to speak to the media ahead of Saturday’s West Wales derby against the Ospreys in Swansea.
Here’s what he had to say . . .
Dwayne, you must feel you are going into this game in a decent place?
DP: “A lot of hard work has been going on from pre-season into now. We have been competitive in Glasgow and Bayonne and were disappointed not to get over the line. Last weekend was important against tricky opposition who made life difficult for us. Going in this week it helps going in off the back of a win, but we realise the task in hand is a different challenge, but one we are looking forward to.”
You have not won in Swansea in a league match for a while, does that get spoken about?
DP: “Yes we have talked about that this week. We have been trying to understand why that is the case and working out what we are going to do differently to get over the line this week. There is always an emotion to these games and a lot riding on it in terms of local bragging rights. There have been some tight games and others where we would not have been as good as we would have liked in Swansea.
“This year we are determined to go there and put our best foot forward. It is an exciting one for us. Derbies bring a different type of intensity and emotion. Nothing gets your blood going like a West Wales derby. As soon as the game was finished on Sunday, all the focus was switched to this game. It is a fantastic occasion, brings rivalry, bragging rights. I have been lucky to be part of it as a coach, as a player – some great teams and players have played in these fixtures.”
What is your reaction to the news of Toby Booth’s departure?
DP: “It can work both ways. As you have seen many times when this happens you can have a bit of a bounce or reaction of some sort. If you look at the players they have in their squad, competitive international players they will be up for this. So I am expecting it to be a tight battle. It is never nice when a coach leaves his job like that and it is not for me to comment on any decision. I just know he has done a good job there.”
What will a Mark Jones coached side look like?
DP: “Mark has been there now a couple of seasons, he will bring energy, he will bring enthusiasm and he will get them ready emotionally. Knowing him as I do over the last 20-odd years, he will bring those elements to that team and I wish him well in that. I know him going back to our time at Llanelli Youth, the 21s and into the Scarlets senior team. He is a rugby man through and through, he is non-stop rugby, I am sure he will do a good job there.”
Do you have a fitness update for the squad?
DP: “We are ok in terms of last weekend, everyone came through. Blair (Murray) will be available, Ryan Elais has a while to go yet. Steff Evans is back in full training this week. Tomi Lewis is not far away, I expect Steff and Tomi to be available in the New Year.”
You must be having a few selection headaches at the moment?
DP: “This week has been the one that has given us more thought than any. You always have a view of two or three games in advance, you may rotate or rest, but when it comes to these crunch derbies, it’s more who do we think is right for this occasion. People like Ellis Mee coming into form has given us food for thought and it is great to have fit bodies. Last year we had so many injuries it was difficult to tactically make the right calls and have impact off the bench. This year, at this moment in time, we have got fit bodies, it is nice to have selection headaches not just for the starters, but for the bench as well. A lot of young players are putting their hands up for the match-day 23.”