Scarlets’ Jones doffs cap to ton-up Ronan

RONAN O’GARA will make his 100th Heineken Cup appearance in the crucial Pool One clash away to the Scarlets on Saturday with a ringing endorsement from another number 10 who knows a thing or two about dealing with pressure.

The Scarlets’ Stephen Jones has gone head-to-head with O’Gara countless times for club and country, with another pair of key clashes looming at Parc y Scarlets and Thomond Park over the next two weekends.

O’Gara’s Munster teammate and prop John Hayes was the first Heineken Cup centurion and now the player who has already amassed 1,221 tournament points — and scored in his last 82 Heineken Cup appearances — is set to become the second to break the three-figure barrier.

“Getting to 100 Heineken Cup matches will be an immense achievement for Rog,” said Jones, who himself is second in the tournament scoring list with 860 points in 80 outings.

“He has proved what a quality player he is for Munster and Ireland down the years but nobody needs me to tell them that.

“He has been at the heart of what Munster do for so long and he can vary his game by putting the ball through the hands or by pinning a side into the corners. He knows just what he has to do and when to do it — you just have to look at what he did with the drop goals in the games against Northampton and Castres.

“These back-to-back fixtures are huge when it comes to the outcome of the pool and everybody at Parc y Scarlets is looking forward to the visit of Munster.

“We have already sold more than 10,000 tickets for the game and there has been a buzz about this game for a couple of weeks.

“Munster have proved over and over what a force they are in Europe, while we have been there or thereabouts but fell away for a few years. We are getting back there now and the seeds were sown a couple of years ago and this season we have really pushed on.

“It’s a cracking match up between two sides which have history and know each other so well. It’s a huge game for us and we have to perform. Munster are a well organised, well drilled outfit and they play with real passion and commitment — we know we have to match that to stand a chance.

“We have some really good young players who are now experienced young players and that is very important in a competition like the Heineken Cup. Everybody can see that the Scarlets are now heading in the right direction and it is a really exciting time at Parc y Scarlets. Players like George North, Scott Williams and Jon Davies have really established themselves but we also have players like Liam Williams and Adam Warren showing what they are capable of too.

“For myself, I haven’t retired from international rugby and have no plans to retire. European rugby is the shop window and I know that how I perform for the Scarlets dictates everything. I am still enjoying my rugby and I have been really energised by what is happening at the Scarlets and all the young talent we now have coming through. It’s up to me to prove what I have to offer.”