GLENN DELANEY
COACH’S MESSAGE A
warm hello to all our supporters out there ahead of this evening’s clash with Cardiff Blues. As a group - coaches, players and staff - we feel incredibly fortunate that we are able to go out there and do what we all love. As you will know, this re-match against Cardiff Blues has been brought forward following the postponement of the final two pool rounds of Europe. We have positioned ourselves strongly in the tournament and were looking forward to big matches against Toulon and Bath, but public health is paramount and everyone fully understands the current situation. If this season has taught us anything it’s that we don’t really know what’s around the corner. Thankfully, we have had a full round of negative Covid tests three weeks on the spin now. The one thing we have asked people behaviorally is to make sure everyone is taking care, not only in the work environment here but in their bubbles back home and we can certainly see that. We have 85-odd people in the rugby department here and trying to make sure everyone is safe and healthy is the key. Once it was confirmed that Europe was off, the first thing we did as coaches was to get on the phone to see if we could get a game on. Normally, you are catching games up during a season so it’s great to have one brought forward and a brilliant thing for the PRO14 to get the best players on the field just a couple of weeks before the Six Nations. Reflecting on that game in Cardiff a couple of weeks ago, even though we went down to 14 men we still felt we could have come away with the win, but after going ahead 20-18 we didn’t really manage the end of the match like we should have. We have prepared well this week and I am sure we can apply the lessons we learned from that game. A warm welcome to the Blues players and staff and, of course, to Dai Young, who is back in the hot seat and someone I know very well.
Huge congratulations to the 11 Scarlets who have been named in the Welsh squad for the forthcoming Six Nations. In particular, I’m delighted for Josh Macleod who has been outstanding for us throughout my time here and was desperately unlucky to pick up an injury after being named in the national squad back in the autumn. Fingers crossed, he can win a thoroughly deserved first cap during the campaign. The boys will head into Wales camp next week with our best wishes and hopefully a spring in their step after tonight’s game. Thanks again for your support, it is fantastic to see so many of you engaging with us on our social media channels. Stay safe and we hope to see you soon. Diolch Glenn
