They say that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
Well, the Heineken Cup hopes of Llanelli have been stomped so often that the Stradey club should now strut across Europe like Samson on a big hair day. In the short history of the tournament, they have had to endure four quarter-final defeats (three at the hands of French sides), plus two gut-wrenchingly tense semi-final exits.
They have shown the ability to tough-out the tortuous group stages as well as anybody, as in their gritty 18-9 win at Northampton in February, but come the knock-out rounds and the Welsh side have gone decidedly wobbly.
Given that record, many may feel justifiably anxious about the quarter-final visit of crack French outfit Biarritz, but the squad are adamant that the years of misery have heightened resolve - and ability.
"We've stopped playing in a couple of the big games," acknowledges Scarlets flanker Simon Easterby. "We're a better side now, though, and know we must follow through and get the job done."  | LLANELLI'S KNOCK-OUT WOES QF 2002/3:
Llanelli 19-26 Perpignan SF 2001/2:
Leicester 13-12 Llanelli SF 1999/2000:
Northampton 31-28 Llanelli QF 1998/99:
Perpignan 34-17 Llanelli QF 1997/98:
Cardiff 24-20 Llanelli QF 1996/97:
Brive 35-14 Llanelli |
This may be the first venture of the Stradey side into Europe under their new regional guise of the Scarlets, but with just two changes to the team that lost last year's quarter-final with Perpignan there is little doubt that they are Llanelli at heart. In many ways that defeat to Perpignan was the most difficult to take, coming against an unfancied side in front of a packed Stradey Park.
"There was huge expectation and an unrealistic view of Perpignan, who were a very good team," said Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins.
"Dafydd Jones was sent off early on and - I hold my hand up - we hadn't prepared properly for the effects of losing such a key player.
"That won't happen again. We are a year older and, I hope, a year wiser.
"Biarritz will come here making themselves favourites, and I admire them for that, but we have to make sure that they don't play like favourites.
"We have to take things away from them and make them realise they are playing a team as good as themselves.
|  The only lesson the loss to Perpignan taught us is that you have to win |
"People ask me if this is the last chance for this side, but all I can say is that we have a group of experienced players who are playing extremely well. "It's not about where you're going but about the moment. This is not an ordinary game - it's a hugely important match for both sides and the more experience we have on the park the better."
Few come more experienced than Scott Quinnell, but the sense of occasion has even reached the mighty Wales and Lions number eight.
"The only thing I can remember from Perpignan last year is the disappointment," said Quinnell.
"The only lesson something like that teaches you is that you have to win."
MMIX
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