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Scarlets skipper Matthew Rees is looking forward to his side becoming the first Welsh team to reach the landmark of 100 Heineken Cup games when they face Castres this weekend. The Scarlets will become only the fifth club to reach the century of appearances in Europe's premier competition
The Scarlets won many plaudits for their free-flowing rugby in last season’s Heineken Cup and the Welsh region will be looking to kick their 2011/12 campaign off with a victory as they begin the hunt for their first quarter-final appearance since 2007.
Whilst the performances were of the highest quality the Scarlets only managed three victories out of their six Pool games last season – a statistic Nigel Davies will be looking to put right.
The Scarlets contingent at the World Cup also impressed and big things will be expected at the Parc y Scarlets from the likes of George North and Rhys Priestland.
As well as the return of their International stars, captain Matthew Rees made his comeback form injury a fortnight ago and he will be raring to go up against the Castres front-row.
Castres will head to Wales in confident mood after a positive start to their TOP14 campaign.
Seven early wins in the competition has seen them rise to third and they will be hoping to carry that form into Europe.
You have to go back to 2002 for Castres last victory on the road in the Heineken Cup and that was also in Wales against Bridgend.
Les Scarlets empochent une belle victoire 16-13 à l'extérieur sur la pelouse du Castres Olympique et terminent deuxièmes de la Poule 1. - 21/01/2012 19:59
Welsh wing George North inspired the Scarlets to a winning start in the Heineken Cup this afternoon with a man of the match performance against Castres.
A clinical second-half performance from the Scarlets was enough to claim the win, built on the back of a string of impressive displays from their International contingent.
The first period was all about the boot, Stephen Jones kicking three penalties to Romain Teulet’s two as the Welsh region went into the break 9 v 6 ahead.
The second period was a much different story at Parc y Scarlets and the Scarlets signalled their intentions early on with a Sean Lamont try.
Teulet grabbed a penalty back for Castres before North powered upfield setting up his side’s second try as number eight Ben Morgan touched down.
Marc Andreu grabbed a try back for Castres and Teulet’s conversion reduced the scores to 23 v 16.
The Scarlets though were soon back on form, Scott Williams racing clear before feeding Jonathan Davies to score.
Castres captain Chris Masoe set up a tense finish with his late try but Rhys Priestland came off the bench for the hsots to land a crucial late penalty which also denied Castres a losing bonus point.
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