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Scarlets To Lead For Wales Again In Europe As Cardiff Blues Prepare For Treacherous Pool

It’s the pressing issue of our time. . . Europe and the question of whether the Scarlets and the Cardiff Blues are heading for a soft or hard pool stage when the Heineken Champions Cup kicks-off this weekend. Robin Davey reckons the Scarlets will go deeper into the tournament, with the Ospreys to do likewise in the Challenge Cup, whilst the Dragons have to show signs of improvement.

Europe is the big arena in more ways than one, but on the rugby front the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues head into Heineken Champions Cup action this weekend while for the Ospreys and Dragons it’s the Challenge Cup competition.

The Scarlets have the European pedigree, they are more than used to playing in the top tier and reached the semi-final stage last season, while for the Blues it’s a welcome return to the main event.

The Scarlets, it has to be said, have the best chance of making it into the knockout stages again for they have been drawn against Racing, Leicester and Ulster.

You would have to back Racing and the Scarlets to progress for Ulster are having a poor season and Leicester –once a mighty force – have fallen well below their normal standards and have gone through some inner turmoil having sacked their coach.

The Scarlets have overcome some major injury problems already this season, though for Saturday’s home game against Racing they will be without Samoan centre Kieron Fonotia who has been banned for three weeks after using the forearm against George North.

That occurred during last Saturday’s derby clash against the Ospreys which the Scarlets edged 20-17, a result which will give them renewed heart going into Europe.

They were outscored in tries by three to two but the reliable boot of Wales full back Leigh Halfpenny saw them home.

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Victory against Racing will set them off on the right foot for a big game under the Leicester lights the following Friday night.

The Blues are in the Champions Cup by virtue of winning the Challenge Cup competition last season and they also go in on the back of a notable derby triumph against neighbours the Dragons at Rodney Parade last Saturday.

The trailed 12-0 as the Dragons made an explosive start, but they weathered the storm and gradually got on top up front and with the impressive Gareth Anscombe pulling the strings emerged worthy winners.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was watching and has surely pencilled Anscombe in for the outside-half slot for the opening autumn international against Scotland on November 3.

Another who impressed was winger Owen Lane, carrying on from where he left off last season with two tries and he could easily feature in the Wales squad which will be announced next Tuesday.

The Blues face a much more difficult task than the Scarlets for in their pool are in-form French team Lyon, English powerhouse Saracens – probably joint favourites with champions Leinster – and Pro 14 rivals Glasgow.

They open with a visit to Lyons on Sunday when they are sure to come under the pump. For French sides don’t like losing at home, even if they are not quite so committed away, so it could be a long afternoon.

The Ospreys are normally a Champions Cup side, but they failed to make it this time and instead play in the Challenge Cup where they open with a home game against Pau followed by a trip to reviving Worcester.

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The Ospreys ran the Scarlets close last week, coming out on top in the try-scoring stakes at least and wingers North and newcomer Luke Morgan are on fire.

They will fancy their chances in this competition, though Worcester could make a run as well, but with the supreme Alun Wyn Jones at the helm should at least qualify from their pool.

The Dragons headed off to Romania on Thursday and Saturday’s game against Timisoara Saracens, before facing Northampton at Rodney Parade a week on Friday.

Coach Bernard Jackman says they will go fully loaded in Romania, keen to get a win and put the show back on the road after their disappointing defeat by the Blues when they had made such an encouraging start.

Captain Cory Hill insists they have still made massive strides in attack and defence though admitting to his disappointment at losing to their biggest rivals.

The Dragons won as many league games in September as they did in the whole of last season, but after Europe face a series of away matches against Ulster, Connacht and Edinburgh so more victories will be hard to come by.

They remain well behind their regional rivals in their budget, but they’re working hard to put that right as they seek to develop the top end of the ground when they will use their increased revenue to boost player recruitment.

They have undeniably improved, but need some more wins and realise they need an experienced guiding hand at No.10 while still looking to boost their power up front.

Victory in Romania on Saturday will at least give them some heart for the sterner tasks that lie ahead both in the Pro 14 and in Europe.

 

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