Wyatt fears for Scarlets future

Jan 22 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

FORMER Wales star Chris Wyatt fears the Scarlets run the risk of European oblivion if they don’t get it right next season.

The ex-Llanelli lock forward spoke out after the record 41-0 home defeat to Clermont Auvergne left the region picking up the pieces of an embarrassing Heineken Cup campaign.

Semi-finalists the previous season after winning all six pool games, the Scarlets succumbed to six straight defeats in Europe this time around.

Add that to the impending departure of Dwayne Peel and the possible loss of his Lions half-back colleague Stephen Jones on the back of the region’s new stadium saga, and it adds up to a pretty miserable time.

But Wyatt - the Bourgoin lock who has played more Heineken Cup matches than any other Welshman – fears it could get even worse for the Scarlets.

“The players, management, those above, and the supporters know they cannot afford another season in Europe next season like this,” warned Wyatt.

“Have another bad one and their momentum might be gone completely.

“It is important they re-group and get that momentum back quickly.

“They have got a good coach (Phil Davies) there and a core of players who are capable of mixing it with the best.

“But they have got to look at themselves - long and hard.

“They have to improve in certain areas because where they are at the moment is nowhere near good enough.”

Wyatt isn’t too concerned about the departure of Lions and Wales scrum-half Peel to former English champions Sale Sharks at the end of the season.

But it is the lack of the region’s overall commercial clout which worries Wyatt, as he fears that the Scarlets will struggle to attract top-quality players if they lose star personnel.

Speculation is rife that Jones could leave Stradey for the second time in his career with big-spending French outfit Biarritz touted as a possible destination for the former Wales captain.

The Scarlets’ plan had been to build a squad capable of winning the Heineken Cup to coincide with the opening of their new stadium on the outskirts of Llanelli.

But that dream looks in tatters now with sources also insisting that Ospreys interest in star Kiwi centre Regan King is unlikely to fade.

It is an open secret the Scarlets are desperate to sign a scrummaging tighthead prop, and Wyatt insists the basics of a solid forward platform have to be put in place by Davies and his coaching staff.

“They have to take the loss of Dwayne as a positive because it will free up the money for where it is needed, to strengthen positions elsewhere,” insisted Wyatt.

“Having had such a great year in last season’s Heineken Cup, for virtually the same group of players not to win a game this year is not good enough.

“With the calibre and type of players they have got, you would expect them to do better.

“After the performances of last year, they were really back to where I believe they should be in the top echelon of European rugby.

“But it’s clear now that they have got a lot of work to do.”

While the Scarlets’ fortunes have plummeted, the Blues and Ospreys are basking in European success - the first time two Welsh sides have reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup since the game went regional here five years ago.

Wyatt was on a losing Bourgoin side against the Ospreys two days ago - and he feels Lyn Jones’ team can go all the way and become the first Welsh winners of the tournament.

“They’ve definitely got a great chance of winning the competition,” he said.

“They have got all the ability they need in that side and they have to be challenging in every match from this point forward.

“But when they get their chances they have to take them, because they won’t get as many as they did against us in the latter stages of Europe.

“Every side that progresses in this tournament from now on will have to take their chances because you don’t get many opportunities.

“There are still parts of the Ospreys’ game that will be frustrating them.

“They were probably the better side and deserved to beat us but they must become more clinical.

“They will look to sharpen up in attack and tighten their defence, but there’s no doubt they’re a very good side capable of winning it.”