James eyes place in rugby history

Dafydd James is already established as a Heineken Cup record-breaker – but his sights are set on another landmark feat this weekend.

Wales international James has scored more tries than any other player in the tournament’s history, claiming 28 touchdowns from 57 appearances.

The Llanelli Scarlets wing, though, would probably sacrifice that significant personal achievement on Saturday for a place in this season’s Heineken Cup final against Wasps or Northampton.

In-form Scarlets are bidding to become the first Welsh winners of a competition that began 11 years ago when Cardiff reached the inaugural final before losing narrowly after extra-time against French giants Toulouse.

However, Llanelli must overcome a significant semi-final hurdle, with twice European champions and this season’s trophy-treble chasers Leicester standing in their way at Walkers Stadium.

The Scarlets have twice failed at the same stage, suffering agonising last-gasp defeats against Northampton in 2000 and Leicester two years later. Each time, their conquerors went on to lift the trophy.

James, whose Heineken try tally has been amassed for five different teams - Llanelli, Pontypridd, Bridgend, Harlequins and Celtic Warriors – was part of the Scarlets side edged out 31-28 by Northampton at Reading’s Madejski Stadium.

He said: “I remember we gave away a silly penalty that allowed Paul Grayson to step up and slot the goal. I knew he was never going to miss it.

“With the Leicester semi-final two years later, that does mean we hope it is third time lucky for us, but we don’t dwell on the past. It is all about the present.

“This is the crucial part of the competition where you get no second chances. It is winner takes all, but if you want to win the title you have to beat the best in getting there.

“We beat defending champions Munster in the quarter-finals, and now we have to go one step further against a side who have a great European pedigree, appearing in three finals and winning the Heineken Cup twice.”

Llanelli have marched into the last-four with a magnificent 100% record, producing jaw-dropping performances, especially through away victories over Toulouse and Ulster.

Only 1997 European champions Brive won the tournament without dropping a game, although if Llanelli secure this season’s silverware they will do it by recording nine successive victories, compared with Brive’s seven.

And Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher believes the Welsh standard-bearers are better equipped this time around than when Leicester eliminated them at the penultimate knockout stage five years ago.

Gallacher said: “We had a terrific pack in 2002 with people like Scott Quinnell, Robin McBryde, Martyn Madden and Chris Wyatt.

“But all round this is a better team. The half-backs, in particular, are more experienced than when we were there last time.

“When the group draw was made and Toulouse came out for the third year on the trot, and then the Celtic champions Ulster and then London Irish, who were third in the Guinness Premiership last season, everyone agreed it was a very tough pool.

“But we have improved as the tournament has gone on and our style has been tremendous.

“The victory in Toulouse will probably remain in most people’s memories, but for me the performance out in Ulster was where I was convinced this team would go all the way.

“You don’t go there very often, in any conditions, and take them apart, and we did, particularly up front. I started wondering then and thinking maybe this is the year we can finally do it.

“It has always been an ambition of ours from 1996, when we first entered the tournament. We’ve made semi-finals before, and this gives us another opportunity to make our first final.

“I think the days of 1997 and 1998 when we used to go to French clubs like Pau and get 50 points scored against us, and play Stade Francais and come back losing the fight and the game, have gone forever.

“We are genuinely competitive in Wales now, and I think the teams right through Europe realise that.

“We have caught up with Leicester and Munster, and we are there knocking on the door with the English and the French. So Welsh rugby shouldn’t fear anyone at club level.”