 | SCARLETS PREDICTIONS Celtic League: 4th Celtic Cup: Final Heineken Cup: Group stage |
The coming season is set to be a truly defining one in the history of the Llanelli Scarlets. Having fought so hard to win stand-alone regional status, the Scarlets seemingly justified their privileged position by winning last season's Celtic League and proving the most successful Welsh side in Europe.
However, a school of thought suggests that behind the achievements lies an ageing team, enjoying the last of the glories that had helped drive Llanelli over the previous 10 years.
The Stradey side's Heineken Cup heartaches have entered folklore, but their quarter-final exits in the last two years have been tame surrenders at home.
The pack in particular is approaching veteran status, although the talismanic Scott Quinnell continues to rumble with venomous intent.
 One to watch: Hooker Aled Gravelle |
The tight-head cornerstone of the scrum is perhaps the most serious area of concern, with the Scarlets seeking a long-term replacement for 35-year-old John Davies. Jon Thiel is the heir-in-waiting, but at the scrum the Canadian international has been known to retreat faster than an Italian tank, and the Scarlets' failure to move for outstanding Celtic Warriors tight-head Chris Horsman seems mystifying.
Robin McBryde's injury is a body blow to the side, and all Wales rugby fans will be hoping the north Wales hard man's long-term prognosis is positive.
Whatever the problems, Llanelli fans will feel confident that new captain Simon Easterby and the outstanding coaching team of Gareth Jenkins, Nigel Davies and Paul Moriarty will help rebuild and lead their side to more success.
But the stand-alone Scarlets may lack the resources to compete.
Whilst the other Welsh regions have snapped up the now-defunct Warriors' international stars, the Scarlets secured erratic wing Aisea Havili and young hooker Matthew Rees.
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Promising back-rowers Jon Mills (Bath) and Andy Powell (Leicester) have joined, Gavin Quinnell and Adam Jones have stepped up from the semi-professional side and Wales flanker Gavin Thomas has moved from the Ospreys. Perhaps the highest profile summer recruit, though, is former Wales fly-half Arwel Thomas, and if the mercurial 29-year-old finds his form he could add an extra, unpredictable element to the Scarlets' game.
However, his signing will be cold comfort for the loss of current Wales fly-half Stephen Jones to Montferrand, the Scarlets admitting in negotiations that they could not compete with English and French sides in the battle for their star fly-half.
With the Scarlets apparently slipping backwards in the close season, they will have to battle to stay ahead of their Welsh and Irish rivals in the Celtic League.
Exciting European nights are virtually guaranteed at Stradey, but it is difficult to see them finishing above the mighty Toulouse in Pool Three, whilst hopes of a best runners-up spot from a group containing Glasgow and Northampton appear slim. Perhaps the Scarlets' best chance of a trophy will come in the new-look end-of-season Celtic Cup, which could prove a last hurrah for the ageing knockout kings from the west.
In: Jon Mills (Bath), Gavin Thomas (Ospreys), Gavin Quinnell and Adam Jones (both from Llanelli semi-pro team), Aisea Havili, Arwel Thomas, Matthew Rees (all Warriors), Andy Powell (Leicester)
Out: Stephen Jones (Montferrand), Emyr Lewis (player-coach Felinfoel), Adam Yelland (moved to New Zealand), Gareth Williams (released), Leigh Davies (released, taking a year out)
Captain: Simon Easterby
Coach: Gareth Jenkins
Assistant coaches: Nigel Davies, Paul Moriarty
Team colours: Scarlet and white
Chief Executive: Stuart Gallacher
Grounds: Stradey Park (Llanelli), Racecourse (Wrexham)
MMIX
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