Popham relishing clash with Leamy

LLANELLI’S European Cup crusade has resonances with Munster’s, although it irks the west Wales region to be bracketed as the ‘nearly men’ of the competition — as Munster once were before their coronation last May.

The Scarlets are about as close as one will get that mirrors the Munster template, and after a stunning sequence of six straight wins in the pool stages of this year’s Heineken Cup, many feel it is Llanelli’s destiny to finally lift the trophy in Twickenham on May 20.

But that is dangerous talk, according to Scarlets and Wales back-row Alix Popham, who joined the region two seasons ago. He is well aware of their Heineken Cup pedigree, but is putting such fanciful thoughts of glory this season aside for now.

“We’re firstly thinking about playing Munster and getting the result on Friday,” says Popham who starts at no 8. “We don’t want to think any further than that, and I don’t think you can in this competition because that’s when it can turn around and bite you. It’s going to be hard on Friday, but I’ve got full confidence in the squad and hopefully we’ll get the result. I think we surprised ourselves as well. It’s about belief and we have had six great wins and we just want to make it seven.”

The blonde-maned Popham, whose all-action style was one of the positives to emanate from a poor Wales campaign in the Six Nations, is a big admirer of opposite number Denis Leamy.

And their styles are so similar: aggressive at the breakdown, an ability to stay on their feet and snaffle opposition ball and a penchant to take hard direct lines into defensive lines.

But Popham knows he is facing the ultimate test against Leamy

“He’s a great player and playing consistently good rugby,” admits Popham.

“It’s why people respect him so much. He never puts in a bad game and he’s solid in all areas of the field.

“I’m looking forward to playing against him.”

Popham, who signed form Newport-Gwent Dragons two season ago, expects similar battle of wits in the back row as he experienced with Wales, when Ireland came to the Millennium Stadium for the first round of the Six Nations — but he will get plenty help from an Irish team-mate.

“It’s going to be hard work for the full eighty. This time we have (Simon) Easterby, who caused us so much trouble with Wales. Hopefully he gets away with what he did that day!”