BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Celtic | Gibbs promises hard knocks

Swansea skipper Scott Gibbs has stoked the fires ahead of the Celtic League clash with Llanelli on Friday night.

Scarlets skipper Leigh Davies accused the All Whites of landing "cheap shots" last season in their two encounters - both won by Swansea.

Swansea versus Llanelli sparks the season

Swansea skipper Scott Gibbs

"Cheap shots? There's plenty of them coming along - that's what the fixture is all about," Gibbs warned.

"What we need more of in our game is hard, physical encounters. That's what the crowd wants to see and that's what the players get themselves up for.

"Sadly in many respects the referees try to clean up the game but they clean it up too much and it just stagnates it."

Gibbs was speaking to the BBC Wales Scrum V programme ahead of Friday night's televised clash at Stradey Park.

Llanelli skipper Leigh Davies
Gibbs respects the job Leigh Davies is doing

Swansea have won at Stradey Park for the past two seasons, doing the double over their west Wales rivals in some fiery encounters.

Gibbs wants a 'treble double' over Llanelli and wants his team to carry on doing exactly what they've been doing in the past to earn the victories.

"Lets see some fireworks on Friday night because that's why everyone is watching," he added.

"Let's see a great game of rugby but let's see a bit of hwyl as well.

"You need these games in every season - Swansea versus Llanelli sparks the season and with both sides in dismal form it will bring the best out of the Jacks and the Turks."

Davies wary of dirty Whites

Both captains and both inside centres, Gibbs and Davies are on a collision course that always makes compulsive viewing.

While it often seems there is little love lost on the field, Gibbs has respect for Davies.

"Leigh plays tough and you've got to admire him for that - he's doing a great job leading Llanelli by example."


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