The Scarlets qualify for the last eight as one of the best Heineken Cup Pool runners-up with 15 points and 12 tries from their Heineken Cup run this season – which included securing a double win on French side Castres Olympique (31-23 at Parc y Scarlets and 16-13 away in Castres).
The Scarlets are the only Welsh side to have beaten Brive at their home ground. But the strong French club has an enviable home record.
Scarlets believe some impressive results away this season and their record in France will give them confidence and belief going into the match – but are not underestimating the physicality and intensity that Brive will bring to this game.
Scarlets Head of Rugby, Nigel Davies said: “This is a massive game for us and the boys are looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity of showing their potential at a European quarter-final.
“It’s not daunting but it’s a huge challenge – and one we look forward to as players and coaches because it’s all about going to the best clubs and pitting yourself against the best teams in Europe.
“We’ve had a reasonably successful season to this point, but we have to cap it off by achieving something notable – and the chance that the European Cup competition brings us is a way to prove that our season has truly been a success.
“We know Brive are a very good team, we’ve had a good look at them the last few weeks and we will have to be right on top of our game and bring a physicality to match them. We were very disappointed with our first half performance against Edinburgh and there’s been a lot of frustration about that – but we look to put it right. We know we’ll have to be at our best to get a result and I am sure the boys will perform to their full potential.”
“We can take a lot out of winning in France, and many of the players will have gained a lot of experience and confidence from winning in Castres this season. We also know what to expect from the French sides and that means we have to be on our game for 80 minutes – you can’t switch off and have to maintain 100% focus.
“We know we can stay in games without the ball, we’ve shown that this season and we have the real quality on the field that can take their opportunities as well.”
Scarlets 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Sione Timani, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Ben Morgan.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Kieran Murphy, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Sean Lamont.
