Davies wants Scarlets to make most of tips

Apr 17 2007 Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

If for you Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final is as much about Wales versus England as Llanelli Scarlets against Leicester, then you're singing from the same songsheet as Stradey Park head coach Phil Davies.

As the build-up began to this nation's latest attempt to take possession of the most coveted crown in the northern hemisphere, the former Leeds boss was happy to permit fans from the other three Welsh regions to bask in some of his team's reflected glory.

If, that is, they are interested in doing so.

They should be, because even if only in the smallest of ways, at least two of their Welsh neighbours - the Blues and the Ospreys - will have contributed if the Scarlets do get over the finishing line at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

'I have spoken to David Young and Lyn Jones over the course of the week and they have both wanted to help us,' said Davies.

'And of course we will help them if ever we can, it's the sort of thing that could give you that all-important extra one or two per cent.

'No matter what anyone says there is a good working relationship between the Welsh regions.

'We can always work together when the time is right.

'Of course we want to do this for ourselves and our own region, but we also want to do it for Wales.

'We are very mindful of that, we hope all Welsh rugby supporters will be proud of us just as it was a source of pride to see the Ospreys make a major final last weekend.

'Whatever happens it is good that another Welsh team has put itself in position to do something. If we all continue to do that one of us is going to get over the line sooner or later.'

Of course, it's Jones who could provide the very latest on the Tigers, his side having lost to the Tigers in the EDF Energy Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday.

But the Blues have also faced Pat Howard's men twice in European competition this term - and twice been beaten.

And it's results like that which have convinced Davies that while the Scarlets have already seen off the likes of Toulouse and Ulster on away turf, Leicester will represent another step up altogether.

'We are going to need intensity and we have to be ready for them,' said Davies.

'The history of us losing in two Heineken semi-finals has nothing to do with this game.

'The experience has been important but at the start of this season we talked about creating our own legacy.

'That's why we cannot leave anything to chance on Saturday.

'The supporters are going up in their droves and we are going to need them behind us every step of the way.

'The Walkers Stadium I am sure will be a loud place this weekend.'

The astute Davies has won the respect of the Scarlets players through his professional, detailed and methodical approach to training.

But he admits he is wary about over-analysing what is probably the biggest game in the history of the region.

'We don't want to change the way we play rugby just for this game,' he said.

'Nothing surprised me about Leicester in the EDF final, they were very solid and very efficient as always.

'But our game is about going out and expressing ourselves, that is what has brought us success and we are not going to desert that.

'This is a week for the entire squad to stand up and be counted and every player has to realise he could potentially play a big part in this game.'