Priestland planning Thomond turnover for Munster

RHYS PRIESTLAND is confident the Scarlets can snap their 13-match losing streak against Munster on Sunday.

The Welsh out-half believes his side can put an end to an unwanted collection of Heineken Cup and Pro 12 defeats that stretches back over four years.

After his team’s 17-14 defeat by Tony McGahan’s men last weekend, Scarlets captain Matthew Rees admitted “nobody would give us a hope in hell of winning at Thomond Park” but Priestland points to their win over Northampton as a template for success.

“We showed some great resolve to hold on in the second half and secure the bonus point there,” he said.

“We know it won’t be easy at Thomond but we have shown that we can get important results on the road.”

Priestland made his Scarlets debut in September 2007 but has yet to overcome Munster in competitive action. He was a pivotal figure however, when Wales defeated Ireland at the World Cup quarter-final stage.

But the qualities that have won the Carmarthen native such credit in recent months seemed to desert him at Parc y Scarlets last Saturday.

His conversion attempt from Aaron Shingler’s early try came back off the upright and he was successful with only two from four penalties.

“I tend to get a bit nervous on the day of a game,” conceded Priestland.

“I never really like the build-up to a game, especially the evening kick-offs. It is often quite hard and you don’t know what to do with yourself.”

And Priestland was quick to talk up the Heineken Cup heroics of his opposite number, Ronan O’Gara, in recent weeks. He includes the Munster out-half as a player he greatly admires, alongside ex-Munster and All Black player Christian Cullen.

“When I was younger, the player I really looked up to was Christian Cullen. He’s not a 10 but played in a really good New Zealand team and was a great attacking player. As a teenager, I would have closely followed Dan Carter and a lot of guys that are still playing, like Ronan.

“O’Gara is probably one of the best kickers of a ball in the game. I’ve played against him a few times now with Scarlets and we are usually at the wrong end of the result. I have always been impressed by him and the way he organises the game, the forwards, and the kicking game.

“He gives Ireland and Munster a lot when he is playing so we are going to be up against it. We will have to manage him, put some pressure on and make sure he doesn’t keep putting the ball into the corners.”