Harrison warns against complacency for clash with Scarlets

ULSTER’S stand-in captain and resident hard man Justin Harrison wants the same performance from his players against Llanelli at Stradey Park tonight that they produced in humiliating Toulouse last week.

But Harrison emphasised that the team will not be complacent.

“Every group is a difficult one to come through and we know our group has teams in it that are playing with momentum, confidence and that have recruited well.

“The challenge is to recognise we are very familiar with the Llanelli Scarlets. We have played them several times in the league and the danger is familiarity leads to complacency.

“When you play French sides it’s paramount to win your set piece. They rely a lot on their back row to get them going forward, but we closed that down. Everyone has an ownership of what they are doing and understanding of the skill levels they bring to each match. It will be no different tonight.

“It is important to recognise we deserve to be confident but not arrogant going into this game, after all, Llanelli top the league and they got a bonus point last week away from home,” said Harrison, who has Andy Maxwell on the right wing in place of the injured Tommy Bowe.

“We need to make sure we understand it is a Heineken Cup fixture and it is paramount to the success of our season. If we can get something out of this game it will keep our momentum going for the Magners League as well. Every game now is like a cup final.

“We might have defeated Llanelli earlier this season, but they are now playing with a lot more confidence and cohesion and their big players are playing consistently well. They have a good starting XV and an away game represents a lot of distractions.

“It is always difficult to go to Wales and come away with anything. It is paramount we aren’t overawed by the situation, recognise the pressure and welcome the fact we have to improve our skill level and concentrate on our jobs even more.

“To get an away win is vital if we are to progress in this competition. We were disappointed with our failure to progress last year. Any away fixture in the Heineken is very intimidating and Stradey Park is one of the more intimidating settings.

“But the players, particularly the young, are now well versed on how to handle these situations, and I have every confidence in them.”

Llanelli Scarlets have made two changes to their side with Samoan Deacon Manu replacing Craig Dunlea at tight-head prop and Barry Davies in for Ceiron Thomas at full-back.

The Scarlets opened with a bonus point triumph against London Irish, but were awestruck by Ulster’s smashing of Toulouse.

“Ulster were outstanding against Toulouse,” said Scarlets coach Paul Moriarty. “Anyone who can do that to a team of Toulouse’s pedigree has to be brimming full of confidence.

“Ulster destroyed Toulouse at the breakdown area, and every time Toulouse went in with the ball, Ulster defenders smashed them.

“It is no exaggeration to say that Toulouse were well and truly shocked. I don’t think Toulouse were prepared for what Ulster threw at them.”

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

Replacements: A Gravelle, C Dunlea, A Jones, N Thomas, C Stuart-Smith, C Thomas, M Watkins.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; A Maxwell, P Steinmetz, P Wallace, A Trimble; D Humphreys, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best, B Young, J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson.

Replacements: P Shields, S Best, T Barker, K Dawson, K Campbell, K Maggs, S Young.

Referee: T. Spreadbury (England)