By Sean Davies

Wales' traditional flag bearers in the Heineken Cup believe that a new approach to the tournament can finally win them European glory.

We are different this year, more of a passing side who look to throw it about at high tempo Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones

The Llanelli Scarlets are renowned as one of the great sides of the tournament, contenders for the nearly-men crown cast aside so spectacularly by Munster last season.

But, for all the club's traditons, they have failed to reach the knockout stages in the last two seasons and have never made it past the semi-finals.

New Wales coach Gareth Jenkins was always an advocate of the need for physical size and power in his long tenure at Llanelli, an approach that brought success but that some felt was overplayed.

In the last two seasons even that hard edge was lost, though, French giants Toulouse - in whose pool the Scarlets again find themselves this season - exploiting a tight five weakness to put an early end to west Wales hopes.

Wales outside-half Stephen Jones was a stalwart of the runs to the last four in 2000 and 2002, and the Scarlets' favourite son is now back at Stradey Park after two years with Clermont Auvergne.

LLANELLI'S KNOCK-OUT WOES QF 2003/4: Scarlets 10-27 Biarritz 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 European rugby archive

"It's obviously great to be back in Europe with the Scarlets where we've had so much success before and hopefully there'll be more this year," said Jones.

"But we are different this time. In the past we were physically very strong with big ball carriers like Scott Quinnell, Martyn Madden and Salesi Finau.

"Now we are more of a passing side who look to throw it about at high tempo. Hopefully that can be successful."

Jones' summer return completed a star-studded back line containing the likes of Dwayne Peel, Regan King and Mark Jones - a line-up that many would say showed that the region had overstretched their budget given their current financial difficulties.

The Scarlets - playing under new director of rugby Phil Davies after Jenkins' departure - made a spectacular start to this season's Magners League, their backs thriving in the early autumnal sunshine and racking up a series of bonus-point wins.

Our front five are taking a lot of motivation from being written off Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies

But they came unstuck in Ulster's Ravenhill cauldron, and their EDF Energy Cup campaign went spectacularly off the rails as their forwards were bullied by Newcastle at a wet and windy Kingston Park.

"The pack was a concern against the Falcons, we've talked about it," admits Davies.

"We know what we did wrong and we know what we have to do to put it right.

"There are a lot of good players in our tight five. We'll find out exactly how good shortly, but they are taking a lot of motivation from being written off.

"There's a real history and heritage for Llanelli to live up to in Europe, and if the players can't get excited for this then they are in the wrong job."

Jones added: "We know we need power, but we're confident about the forwards in this club. We can play a 15-man game."