Peel hails pack

While the likes of star-name backs Regan King and Stephen Jones have taken most of the plaudits during their march through to the semi-finals, the scrum half believes the Scarlets pack have put down the platform for seven straight wins in Europe.

Wales international Peel says the Scarlets’ strongmen now possess the grunt as well as the grace that can tame the Tigers and take them to a glorious Twickenham finale next month.

He said: “I challenge anyone to go into any game in Europe this year and see where our pack has been beaten and we’ve always had the ball we needed to play with.

“On not one occasion have our forwards been overturned in the tournament this season and it’s been a pleasure to play behind our pack.

“If you look at our forwards, we’ve got grunt and we’ve got some real good ball-handlers who can throw the ball around as well as anyone in the back line.”

For Peel, the Walkers Stadium clash will bring him head-to-head with England scrum half Harry Ellis in what is set to be a key battle.

He added: “He’s a big cog in the Leicester side and is probably playing the best rugby of his career this season. Ellis has always been an exciting runner but he’s played very intelligently this year as well so we will have to keen an eye on him.”

Leicester Tigers: G Murphy; T Varndell, D Hipkiss, D Gibson, A Tuilagi; A Goode, H Ellis; A Moreno, G Chuter, J White, L Deacon, B Kay, L Moody, S Jennings, M Corry (Capt)

Replacements: G Hickie, M Holford, L Cullen, B Deacon, F Murphy, S Vesty, S Rabeni


Llanelli Scarlets: B Davies; D James, R King, G Evans, M Jones; S Jones, D Peel; I Thomas, M Rees, D Manu, V Cooper, S MacLeod, S Easterby, G Thomas, A Popham

Replacements: K Owens, J Davies, I Afeaki, N Thomas, L Davies, C Thomas, M Watkins

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)