Peel hoping west Wales derby packs them in

 The former Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half played in some major clashes between the two regions before hanging up his boots. He fully realises what’s at stake and that it is not just another game for players, coaches or fans.

The Scarlets head to Swansea having really found some form with two comfortable wins in the European Challenge Cup, while the Ospreys return home after beating the French champions Montpellier in France.

For both sides, the bragging rights are at stake for their supporters as they look to transfer their impressive European form across to the URC for the biggest game of their seasons so far.

“This is not just another game, is it. It’s a big derby game and I want the players to treat it that way,” said Peel.

“It can be difficult sometimes eating your Christmas dinner because you are feeling nervous with the big game coming up. That’s the one thing I don’t miss about being a player.

“It’s always a big, emotional occasion. I hope that always continues because emotion plays a big part in rugby.

“This is one of the big rivalries in the game. It’s no different to Gloucester v Bath or Northampton v Leicester, games that always have an added bit of spice to them.

“We want a big crowd there because that drives performance and helps the memories to last.  I still remember playing at the Liberty in front of a sell-out crowd in the Boxing Day game. 

“It’s huge for me that players recognise, relish and enjoy these big occasions.”

Ospreys v Scarlets – 2018

Peel’s affinity to the Scarlets and Llanelli rugby goes back further than his own playing days wearing the famous No 9 jersey for his hometown club.

“There are great memories for me of this fixture that go back even before regional rugby, when it used to be Swansea v Llanelli. As a fan I used to do down to Stradey Park to watch those games and then I got to play in them.”

The Scarlets face an Ospreys pack that dominated Leicester Tigers, the English champions, and then tore into the much-vaunted Montpellier eight in the Champions Cup. It means Peel is under no illusions of the challenge ahead of his side.

“They have a good pack of forwards, with the majority of the Welsh pack in that group. That in itself is a huge challenge but what the Ospreys are, is hard to beat.

“They have always been hard to beat and always had that edge to them. When you look at the results and performances they have had against Leicester and Montpellier, you quickly realise you have to be prepared to go hard against that Ospreys pack.

 ‘We understand that and we are ready for that challenge.”

WEST WALES DERBY CHRISTMAS CRACKERS