SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac is not taking anything for granted despite his side moving back to the top of the table after a 21-19 victory over Connacht at Parc y Scarlets.
With only minutes remaining on the clock Connacht were in prime position to take the victory, leading 18-19 after what had been an intense second half but a late yellow card for Ronan Loughney after a tip-tackle on Aaron Shingler, younger brother Steve stepped up to push the Scarlets back ahead, and ultimately win the game. It was Connacht who had the upper hand for the first half having gone in to the changing rooms 3-10 the good.
Speaking after the game head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We knew it was going to be another close game. We talked about staying in it for 80 and working hard for each other. We didn’t capitalise when they had a man in the bin. “It was important that we stayed in touch at half time at 10-3. We had to get more urgency in their game in the second half. I thought we got the reaction we were after straight at the start of the second half but we let them back in with our team management. We’re happy to get away with the win.”
The victory over Connacht, on Sunday afternoon, was the region’s first victory in the PRO12 since beating Benetton Treviso at the start of December. “The run that we’ve had, it was really important to get a win before we park the PRO12 for a couple of weeks. It’s so tight; there are still eight teams going for the top six. Today was important to get the win and then see what happens. “We’re back on top for now; it buys us another week. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, today was a massive game. Had we not got the result today we’d have been under massive pressure and chasing the bunch. “The pressure’s off the PRO12 for a couple of weeks but it’s going to be a tough run to the end of the season. The win today gives us a bit of confidence.”
Scarlets return to the Parc on Saturday , January 23 , kick-off 5.30pm, to take on Northampton Saints in the final pool game of the European Rugby Champions Cup campaign. The Guinness PRO12 returns to Parc y Scarlets on Friday, February 12, when we take on Edinburgh, kickoff 8.15pm.
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