In more ways than one, it’s a vital game for Simon Easterby’s side as they bid farewell to Welsh internationals Matthew Rees and George North, who both play their last home games for the region. Top try scorer Andy Fenby joins North and Rees in leaving at the end of the season.
More importantly, the Scarlets currently sit in fourth spot – four points clear of the Ospreys in fifth following their win last time out over Cardiff Blues.
A victory over the Italian side would seal a semi-final spot and with the Scarlets unbeaten in six at Parc y Scarlets, they will be confident of securing the win which would see them finish in the top four.
“I’ve been pleased with the steel our forwards pack has shown in recent games and we really had an edge in the scrum against the Blues – we’re going to need to deliver that and more on Friday night to get where we need to be,” said Scarlets forwards coach Danny Wilson.
“There is plenty in this game for all our players, there will be a lot of emotion, ambition and expectation flying around so it’s a highly charged game for everyone involved.
“But there’s no danger of us losing our focus. The players benefitted from a light week coming out of the Blues game and that allowed us to get our minds fit and fresh for this fixture.”
The Scarlets include British Lions George North and Jonathan Davies against the Italian side but resist the temptation to start Rhys Priestland.
The Wales fly half played his first competitive rugby of 2013 against the Blues but is on the bench again tonight with Owen Williams continuing as playmaker.
Liam Williams, Aled Davies, Scott Williams, Aaron Shingler and Rob McCusker all start after being named in the Wales training squad for the tour of Japan this week.
“A lot of their game comes off their set piece play,” said Wilson, when asked for his analysis of Treviso.
“There’s huge desire and ambition in this team to see all the hard work put in pay off and to reward our loyal supporters with a play-off place in the league.”
“The focus is that we’re in control of our destiny and it will be a mark of the professionals we have in our side that any emotion will be channelled into delivering the best performance we can on the field.
“This is effectively a Scarlets quarter-final and as players and coaches we’re looking forward to another night of vocal support from our home crowd. It’s set to be a very memorable night for everyone at Parc y Scarlets.”
