Wayne Pivac: Scarlets can still qualify for Champions Cup quarter-finals
Head coach pleased with result that saw the West Walians move second in pool three ahead of the final two rounds in January
Wayne Pivac insists the Scarlets are still in the hunt to reach the European Champions Cup quarter-finals.
There are two more group games to go and we have to make sure we produce credible performances in both of those.
Wayne Pivac
The West Walians avenged their 25-9 defeat to Ulster in Belfast last week with a 22-13 win at the Parc y Scarlets, moving second in pool three behind Toulon in the process.
A late try from flanker James Davies and 17 points from the boot of Wales outside-half Rhys Priestland secured victory for Pivac’s side at Parc y Scarlets and denied the Irish province a losing bonus point.
“It’s obviously a very tough pool,” Pivac said.
“The other three sides are quality sides and we are holding our own so we are very pleased with that. We have got to make sure we kick on though.
“There are two more group games to go and we have to make sure we produce credible performances in both of those.
“It’s great to still be alive with two matches to go.”
The Scarlets still have to travel to Welford Road to take on the Tigers, who they defeated in round two, before hosting reigning champions Toulon in the final round, and would likely need two wins from those two games to have an outside chance of reaching the last eight.
But Pivac was happy with the way his team his team closed out the result despite Ireland centre Darren Cave’s try early in the second half.
“We did the hard work in the first half and it was disappointing to give away a try at the start of the second,” he added.
“I think the penalty count in the first half was 9-3 in our favour which was a turnaround from the week before in Belfast.
“I was also pleased the way we closed the game out at the end especially after we concede a try straight after half-time.”
