COACH’S COLUMN

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD COACH

DWAYNE

SCARLETS Vs MUNSTER

After the frustration of our opening defeat in Edinburgh, it was great to see us take a step forward against a physical Emirates Lions side.

I was pleased with some of the touches and the tries we scored, but also with how we approached our defensive work. We were under a lot of pressure at times, they had some big runners who came at us, but there was a real hunger from the boys to get off our line and go through our sets.

As coaches and speaking to the players after the game, we loved having the fans back in the stadium and hearing you all in such good voice. It was a night I will remember for some time, my first competitive match as head coach back in Llanelli and there is no doubt, having a crowd like that behind you makes a huge difference, especially here at Parc y Scarlets.

The boys have trained well again this week, but we know this game is another step up for us.

From my experience of playing and coaching against Munster, they are a side that never goes away, they will play for the full 80 minutes and we have to match their intensity if we want to come out on top. It is great to welcome back our British & Irish Lions, Ken, Wyn and Gar to the match-day squad and hopefully it won’t be too long before you get to see Sanjay back in Scarlet following his appendix operation. I am sure all the fans wish him well in his recovery. The series result in South Africa wasn’t what they would have hoped for, but the boys represented the Scarlets superbly this summer and we can all be proud of their efforts.

I hope you all enjoy this afternoon’s game, it promises to be a cracker between two sides full of international talent and exciting young players.

Mwynhewch y gêm prynhawn yma a diolch eto am eich cefnogaeth

Dwayne

PLAYER FEATURE SCARLETS Vs munster

Sione

the quiet man who does his talking on the field

SIONE KALAMAFONI HEADED BACK TO THE HOME CHANGING ROOM AT PARC Y SCARLETS LAST FRIDAY NIGHT MINUS HIS HEADGEAR, PLAYING SHORTS AND BOOTS.

Those had gone to some lucky young fans who had hung around after the final whistle to get a treasured memento and a smiling selfie with a player who has quickly become one of the Scarlets’ finest overseas signings of recent times.

Around his neck, Sione did manage to keep hold of a glistening URC playerof-the-match medal — yet another to add to his collection.

Players’ player of the season in his first campaign in West Wales, the 33-yearold No. 8 has been a revelation since his arrival from Leicester Tigers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Up until now, Scarlets fans have been denied the opportunity to witness the Tongan powerhouse at his muscular best. Last season, with stands empty and an eerie silence around the stadiums, he was one of the most consistent performers on the PRO14 stage, leading the carrying stakes and up there as one of the top tacklers in the competition. But while he may be a relentless wrecking ball on the field, Sione continues to go about his business in a quiet unassuming manner off it.

“He’s not the youngest of men but he doesn’t miss a day of training,” says head coach Dwayne Peel when asked about his talismanic Tongan. “Sione works really hard, he goes about his business quietly. He’s an important weapon for us. He’s been great.”

As for the man himself, he just shrugs his shoulders and talks about business as usual when asked about his outstanding week-to-week performances.

“I take every game as the same,” he insists. “You’re in there trying to win a game and come out on top. All I’m trying to do is win the game.”

Without doubt, though, Sione has become one of the squad’s most influential performers, also playing his part to mentor some of the youngsters coming through the ranks.