Davies confronts Scarlets critics
October 17 2009
Nigel Davies turned on the Scarlets' critics following their thrilling 27-25 Heineken Cup victory over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
Scarlets have been given little chance of making an impact in Europe this season but retain top spot in Pool Six after Stephen Jones booted them to a last-gasp victory.
Head coach Davies revealed he had used the negativity over the region's prospects to inspire his side and questioned why today's contest was not televised.
"The fact we've been written off has been a motivating factor for us," he said.
"When I've looked at some of the programs and what's been written in the media I've seen that we've barely been mentioned.
"I've used that quite a bit as motivation. We have quality with some youngsters who put their hands up.
"The fact the game wasn't on TV was disappointing as well because it was second to none as a spectacle."
Jones slotted the decisive penalty with little over a minute remaining, completing a 17-point haul, while Daniel Evans and Lee Williams touched down.
"This is a team in transition and we're building the side but our recent performances have been positive and I felt we could do this," said Davies.
"We were superb against a quality team. We kept going despite the interception try and that's what you need to do against big teams.
"It's a massive win for us but it's still a tough pool. We have two massive games against Leinster so there's a long way to go.
"But we're in a strong position and we'll go into those fixtures high in confidence."
Irish head coach Toby Booth refused to blame substitute Peter Richards for the first defeat of their Heineken Cup campaign.
Richards was in an offside position when he collected a ball that had been knocked on by Ryan Lamb and Jones landed the penalty from in front of the posts.
"The ball was killed stoned dead and Peter made a call," said Booth.
"If your argue that Sailosi Tagicakibau's interception try was lucky and look at some of the mistakes we made, then the blame certainly doesn't lie at Peter Richards' door.
"No chance - we all take responsibility for what happens out on the field."
Tagicakibau's try with 15 minutes to go put Irish in the driving seat only for Scarlets to respond with two Jones penalties in a dramatic finish to a gripping encounter.
"Of course you despair when you concede a lead like that. We'd got ourselves back in front but this game has a habit of teaching you a lesson," said Booth.
"We were taught a lesson in certain areas of the pitch. That game contained more mistakes by us than in eight months last year.
"Take nothing away from Scarlets, they were good for their victory in the end.
"But we're disappointed because what was a winnable game slipped through our fingers."