0:00:04 > 0:00:08Wales, a rugby nation, where every town
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and every village gets behind its local team.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Come on!
0:00:15 > 0:00:19In Llanelli, top-class rugby has been played for 140 years.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23And it inspires a whole region.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26We have got boys out on this field that are amongst the best
0:00:26 > 0:00:28in the world at what they do.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31But these days it's more than a game. It's a business.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34And it's a business under threat.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37What keeps me awake at night is paying the wages next month.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41It's a battle to keep the big players here in Wales...
0:00:41 > 0:00:43I would say W by five.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47..and ensure a precious rugby tradition survives.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Unless something changes, I think our regions will be gone.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57This is the inside story of 12 months of triumph, tension, turmoil...
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Everybody is at each other's throats.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03..and pride in the Scarlet jersey.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05It will be emotional I guess.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Stand by for a year with the Scarlets.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Early April, just three games left in the season.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18The Scarlets have had a good run.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Win those last three matches
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and they will hit the target they set themselves when the season began -
0:01:23 > 0:01:28getting through to the play-offs of the RaboDirect Pro 12 League.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32But off the pitch, things are not looking so rosy.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Just two days ago, fans were rocked by the news that
0:01:36 > 0:01:38one of their heroes would be leaving.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41It is huge news, huge news.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45George North has signed to play for Northampton next season.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49The sad thing for me is that we lost a 20-year-old
0:01:49 > 0:01:52and that does kick me in the stomach a little bit,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55that we lost a 20-year-old who's come through the system.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58The loss of the young player developed through
0:01:58 > 0:02:00the Scarlets Academy has fuelled a row between the regions
0:02:00 > 0:02:02and the Welsh Rugby Union.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05The WRU will outline to the four regional organisations
0:02:05 > 0:02:08a strategy for the professional game in Wales.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12And amidst all this uncertainty, the Scarlets management is having
0:02:12 > 0:02:14to make final decisions about which players will be getting
0:02:14 > 0:02:16contracts next season.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19There is a lot of emotion flying around, a lot of players
0:02:19 > 0:02:23who are feeling pretty low about things and some players will be
0:02:23 > 0:02:25feeling great because
0:02:25 > 0:02:27we've re-signed them or they've got other clubs.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30'It is a difficult time. We've got to try and focus
0:02:30 > 0:02:35'and control what we can control, which is the rugby.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37'We don't want players to be distracted'
0:02:37 > 0:02:40but naturally it is human nature that they will be at this time.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43ALL: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...
0:02:43 > 0:02:47The next game is against Glasgow who are top of the table.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49If the Scarlets don't play it right, they could be pushed
0:02:49 > 0:02:51out of the play-offs.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57The penalty for losing will be more than 20 press-ups
0:02:57 > 0:02:59and that gives practice a real edge.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03It is always a little bit when you go live in training, the boys get
0:03:03 > 0:03:07a little bit competitive and one wants to beat the other one
0:03:07 > 0:03:10to the hit and you get that little bit of early
0:03:10 > 0:03:13which is the one thing we massively have to avoid this weekend.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17But rugby is not just a game of physical force.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Strategy plays its part.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Danny Wilson, the forwards coach, has a cunning plan to deceive the
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Glasgow line-out and he is willing to test the limits of the laws.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30If you are sat in Glasgow's office this week, I'm imagining
0:03:30 > 0:03:33they are going to say, "When they get in our 22, they're going to drive."
0:03:33 > 0:03:36And we want to bring something slightly different to them
0:03:36 > 0:03:38and surprise them a little bit.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41'From this example you will see that we walk into the very back
0:03:41 > 0:03:42'and the throw comes in nice
0:03:42 > 0:03:44'and early almost before the remaining boys have'
0:03:44 > 0:03:49come into the line-out, which is slightly tinkering with
0:03:49 > 0:03:51the referee's interpretation of this area,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54but we think this is an area we will get away with.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Attack coach Mark Jones has also been watching videos.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00He has spotted a weakness in Glasgow's defence.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Once they have made a tackle, their defenders spread wide.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Glasgow's mindset here is not to throw any
0:04:06 > 0:04:08numbers into the contact area.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09They want to defend with width
0:04:09 > 0:04:12so what we will be looking to do is to penetrate
0:04:12 > 0:04:16'very close to that area there, force the Glasgow defenders to come in.'
0:04:18 > 0:04:22The tactical thinking is about to be put to the test.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT
0:04:33 > 0:04:36CHEERING
0:04:37 > 0:04:39A positive result is desperately needed to boost morale
0:04:39 > 0:04:41amongst the fans.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45They are downcast by the loss of one of the Scarlets' most powerful attackers
0:04:45 > 0:04:50and despondent about the infighting in Welsh rugby.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Everybody is at each other's throats
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and it's not for the good of the game, is it?
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- COMMENTATOR:- You can see the intention from both teams early on.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03As planned, the Scarlets are probing at the line-out.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08And the strategy of driving down the middle is doing the trick.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- COMMENTATOR:- Right up to the try-line again. Phil John squeezes it back
0:05:12 > 0:05:17and over the try-line they go. They have kept it tight.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- CO-COMMENTATOR:- That is very good play by the Scarlets forwards.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22They have realised that the Glasgow forwards aren't committing
0:05:22 > 0:05:25hardly anyone to the attack area.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Add some typical flair from the backs
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and the league leaders go toppling off their perch.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Good performance from the boys. Really good for the club.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Good positive performance. I am delighted. Really happy.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Given what's been happening off the pitch, it's a show of real
0:05:44 > 0:05:45conviction and focus.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48THEY SING
0:05:49 > 0:05:55With all the news that was going on with George North, I was a bit
0:05:55 > 0:05:57worried about tonight's game because
0:05:57 > 0:05:59I thought it was still on the players' minds,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02but they've put it to the back of their minds.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07'The focus has been on the rugby this week. They showed it tonight.'
0:06:07 > 0:06:10WHISTLING AND APPLAUSE
0:06:10 > 0:06:13We played against a good Glasgow side this evening.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15We destroyed them in many ways.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Now they have to focus on the next game, the Blues.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21If you can't focus against the Blues...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23It's Cardiff in the old days, for goodness' sake.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26If we can't focus against them, then there's something missing.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32So, I think tonight was the main game for our season
0:06:32 > 0:06:36'and we have come away with a wonderful victory.'
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Poring over the videos has helped the Scarlets plot a big win,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44but they'll have to do it all over again next week
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and the analysis starts right now.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49We basically now stitch the game together
0:06:49 > 0:06:52for the coaches to take home.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Then me and Sparky go and code individuals -
0:06:54 > 0:06:56that's pass, carries, tackles,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00all the individual stuff - for the boys to review on Monday morning.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Even before the coaches have finished their supper,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05there's food for thought in digital form
0:07:05 > 0:07:07being brought to the table.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11He's delivering our homework now, look.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It's the wife that doesn't like me coming home with the game,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19seeing me sit in front of the laptop all night.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Beats Coronation Street.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Drop off, done. I'll see you at the other side.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26The fans have gone off to celebrate
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and the stadium is closing down for the night.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32But the video analysts are only just starting their shift.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Every move, every pass, every tackle,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39every phase and every failure -
0:07:39 > 0:07:41it all has to be assessed and notated.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47The big thing for us is to make sure we're accurate.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Players don't always agree with our missed tackles
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and tackle minuses and stuff.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59So now I've finished coding, I'll just double check -
0:07:59 > 0:08:03usually all the negatives, like missed tackles,
0:08:03 > 0:08:04pass minuses and stuff -
0:08:04 > 0:08:07just to make sure I haven't been too harsh.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Analysing how to win the next game will always be a priority.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16But the Scarlets' vision is much bigger than that.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27# In Scarlet Town where I was born
0:08:27 > 0:08:30# There's ivy leaf... #
0:08:30 > 0:08:33West Wales is in the doldrums.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38# The streets have names that you can't pronounce... #
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Long-term success is going to depend
0:08:40 > 0:08:43on inspiring youngsters to raise their game.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47And the Scarlets are not prepared to limit their ambition
0:08:47 > 0:08:48to the field of play -
0:08:48 > 0:08:52they want to use rugby to energise a whole society.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56We are part of a region which is geographically challenged,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00economically challenged, not a lot of employment.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Um...not a hell of a lot of inspiration.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06And that's where we can make a difference.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10The Scarlets' domain covers a huge swathe of the country,
0:09:10 > 0:09:11from Llanelli to Aberystwyth
0:09:11 > 0:09:14and westwards from Carmarthenshire to the far corners of Pembrokeshire.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18More than 50 rugby clubs are active in the region,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20and every week, they're buzzing with youngsters,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22dreaming of becoming stars.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25The Scarlets draw on this reservoir of talent
0:09:25 > 0:09:27and they're determined to use their resources
0:09:27 > 0:09:29to give something back to west Wales.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Our players, on this field,
0:09:31 > 0:09:37performing at the highest level of an international game,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40are from little communities around west Wales
0:09:40 > 0:09:44and they've decided that they want to be among the best in the world
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and proved they can be.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Now, if that then inspires another youngster
0:09:50 > 0:09:54in one of those little communities to be the best -
0:09:54 > 0:09:57whether it's rugby or not rugby, doesn't matter -
0:09:57 > 0:10:01that is a fundamental part of our responsibility,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03a fundamental part of our drive
0:10:03 > 0:10:07and a fundamental part of what gets us up in the morning.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Up to them to develop it...
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Sharing Mark's vision is Scarlets' chairman Nigel Short -
0:10:13 > 0:10:16a hugely successful entrepreneur outside of rugby,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18his business interests take him far and wide,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20but his real passion is the game.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I'm 50 years old, I'm in the bloody lead!
0:10:25 > 0:10:27When he's not in a boardroom,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29you'll find him with his tracksuit on,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31training with the youngsters at his local club in Whitland.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Do you think we've got Sunday? - PLAYERS: Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36All right. Forwards, think about it. Well done, guys.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Go over to Dominic, now - do a bit of real work.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43On the line, on the line, come on! Come on, look like you mean it!
0:10:43 > 0:10:44This is what it's all about for me.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49I mean, this is fantastic on any given Friday or Thursday,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52full of kids enjoying themselves, kids off the streets.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Nigel's belief is that the benefits go wider than rugby.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Very often, the club is the heart of the community.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01It brings the kids together in ways they wouldn't normally do
0:11:01 > 0:11:02and brings parents together.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04A lot of these kids won't go on to play professional rugby -
0:11:04 > 0:11:06some will, some won't.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09It's not just the ambition to play professional rugby
0:11:09 > 0:11:12or to emulate their heroes who play for Wales,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14it's giving them ambition for life, as well.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It's giving them a focus and a very positive impact.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19It'd be great if we could spend more time doing that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Back at Parc y Scarlets,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24the search has already begun for George North's replacement.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Fellow wing Andy Fenby is also leaving,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31so for next season, Marc Jones and head analyst Joe Lewis
0:11:31 > 0:11:33are sizing up a couple of new recruits.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36When I'm looking at a player,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39I try to spend the money like I'm spending my own money.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Because, em...there's not a huge amount of money in the Welsh game,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44so you need to make sure it's spent wisely,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46or as wisely as you possibly can.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49The bulk of the Scarlets' squad is home-grown,
0:11:49 > 0:11:50but some senior players are recruited
0:11:50 > 0:11:52from the southern hemisphere.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Three foreigners that we've been looking at,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57previously names that have come through
0:11:57 > 0:11:58from various agents and stuff.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01I also look at Wikipedia -
0:12:01 > 0:12:04it's usually a pretty good source of information.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06I know you can make up some stuff.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09I know Marc's scored 150 tries - no.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11HE LAUGHS
0:12:11 > 0:12:13I made it up.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18The global and the local can form an effective partnership.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Here in Carmarthen, it's South African Snyman
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and local boy Jonathan Davies against a field of youngsters
0:12:25 > 0:12:27as they spread the Scarlets' message.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Good tackle.- Go, go, go.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34That's a good tackle - land on top of him,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36that's where you want to stop him.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Good tackle.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40We're doing some good, you know?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42We can't do it all the time, but when we can,
0:12:42 > 0:12:43we try and do the best job we can.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46There's some good kids coming through, you know?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Joe was getting side-stepped all the time.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52No comment!
0:12:52 > 0:12:53Ready, steady...
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Jonathan knows from his own experience
0:12:55 > 0:12:58how vital it is to get an early grounding in the game.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00CHILDREN: Scarlets!
0:13:00 > 0:13:02I come from a really small primary school,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and I think, at the time, there was only about 40, 50 kids there.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08When you're old enough, you have to play for the school rugby team,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11so I started at quite a young age - I think I was seven or eight -
0:13:11 > 0:13:14and, you know...growing up,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17I remember seeing players coming around the community
0:13:17 > 0:13:21and trying to help out, and...I aspired to be them.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23And now a new generation of youngsters
0:13:23 > 0:13:25are aspiring to be Jonathan Davies.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28MUSIC: "Calon Lan"
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Today's derby against the Cardiff Blues
0:13:32 > 0:13:35is a chance for the Scarlets to prove their mantra
0:13:35 > 0:13:36that west is best.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39But in this clash of neighbours,
0:13:39 > 0:13:40someone who needs to be strictly neutral
0:13:40 > 0:13:43is locally born referee Nigel Owens.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Definitely more difficult, refereeing the derby games.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48There's always an extra edge to it.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Come on, hogia West, ahh!
0:13:51 > 0:13:53But this isn't just a game against the Blues -
0:13:53 > 0:13:55it's also a chance for the Scarlets
0:13:55 > 0:13:57to get one step closer to the playoffs.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02The fans are fired up.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04CROWD CHEERS
0:14:04 > 0:14:06And so are the players.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11It looks like Jonathan Davies has picked up a trick or two
0:14:11 > 0:14:12from the youngsters in Carmarthen.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- COMMENTATOR: - Jon Davies saw the gap...
0:14:17 > 0:14:19It's a brilliant atmosphere today.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24Derby, playoffs, full hospitality - it's all thrown into one.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29We've got the First Minister,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32we've got Roger Lewis and David Pickering and the WRU.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37Plus the 900 other VIPs we've got in hospitality,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39cos everybody is important to us.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42So, no special treatment for the bigwigs -
0:14:42 > 0:14:45the kitchen is working flat-out to serve everyone.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49It's been very busy today. The Cardiff game is always busy.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It's quite hectic on the pitch, too.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54Jonathan is buzzing.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57WHISTLE BLOWS
0:14:57 > 0:14:58And he's not alone.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- COMMENTATOR: - 'All the way for Liam Williams.'
0:15:01 > 0:15:03WHISTLE
0:15:06 > 0:15:09'They're getting ever closer to play-offs.'
0:15:12 > 0:15:13It's a result.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16We played very well in the second half and the boys that
0:15:16 > 0:15:20came off the bench impacted the game and that was a massive bonus as well.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22So, yeah, we'll take that and hopefully
0:15:22 > 0:15:24the nerves will be out of the way
0:15:24 > 0:15:27and we can look forward to Treviso now in a couple of weeks.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30For tonight, a big, big crowd heads home happy.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35There's just one game to go.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37At the final staging planning meeting,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39they're keen to end the season with a bang.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43This is our last chance, really, for this year, to put on a show,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46so we need to send people into the off-season
0:15:46 > 0:15:49looking forward to renewing their season tickets,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52looking forward to coming back next year.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57'It's an ambition of ours to make sure that the match day spectacle
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'is more than just the game.'
0:16:00 > 0:16:02If you've got two hours of entertainment beforehand,
0:16:02 > 0:16:06two hours afterwards, suddenly you've got a six-hour family entertainment,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08which is very good value for money
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and the more people we can convince to come here 16 times a year,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14the more we can invest back into the squad.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16So, that's the mission, that's the dream.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Let's hope we get it right more often than we get it wrong!
0:16:19 > 0:16:21While the operations team plan the party,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25there's a feel-good factor in the final training session.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It's amazing what a difference a bit of sun does, isn't it, to the camp?
0:16:31 > 0:16:32The team's two departing wingers
0:16:32 > 0:16:35are getting ready for their last home game.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38After rehearsing the key moves,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42there's a chance to show off some flashy defence skills...
0:16:42 > 0:16:43Yeah!
0:16:44 > 0:16:47The ancient art of behind the back catching.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52..and to reflect on their time with the region.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Four years, I've been down here.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56It was a bit of a change, because I'd been an accountant,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59so I'd come from full-time work to full-time rugby,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01so it was a nice change
0:17:01 > 0:17:04and to be honest, my four years here, I've absolutely loved it.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06I've had such a good time, so many fond memories
0:17:06 > 0:17:08and made some really good friends here.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10So, yeah, it will be sad leaving.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It'll be emotional, I guess.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16It's been a few years now, since I was 15, 16,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19and the support I've had has always been excellent.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23They seem to have adopted me from North Wales
0:17:23 > 0:17:25and taken me under their wing really.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29I've got a lot of time and a lot of respect for the supporters here.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31You know, from minute one, even till now,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34they've still got a lot of love in this club, a lot of love.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So, I do thank them very much.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40It'll be quite emotional at home tomorrow night, I guess.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44An emotional send-off, but a winning one, surely?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Only lowly Treviso stand between the Scarlets and the play-offs.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49The expectation is on us now,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53so it's important that we take that bit of expectation and make
0:17:53 > 0:17:57sure that we thrive on it and don't let it impede our performance.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Yeah, not a bad place to be in weather like today.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Life's good at the moment.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13But the senior squad are not the only ones hitting the heights.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16This is sensational.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18This is where Wales, really, as a nation
0:18:18 > 0:18:20are going to feel plenty comfortable.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23There is plenty of rugby talent being developed in Wales
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and this is a great example of it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29This is the Scarlets under-16 team.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32They've reached the final of the Welsh cup and Head of Development,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Gareth Jenkins, is here to check on prospects for the long-term.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40It's a great game of rugby.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44The two sides of players, remarkable stuff here.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48There are individual players who are justifying, really,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50our view of their potential.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54But the significance of it all is that
0:18:54 > 0:18:58we have to develop our own talent from within our own boundary.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02That's it! Well done!
0:19:02 > 0:19:03One happy man.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09For a talented few, the Scarlets' dream goes on.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12CHEERING
0:19:12 > 0:19:16A handful of these under-16s will be assessed for a place
0:19:16 > 0:19:19on the next rung of the development ladder, the Scarlets Academy.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23That's just one step away from a career as a rugby professional.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26In the 60 boys who we started out with,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29we ended up getting a squad of 13.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30So, the line is drawn there.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Then we get down to the international boys,
0:19:33 > 0:19:34and we've got ten in this year.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38So, once we miss out those 20, they feel as if they've been left out,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40so they're not happy. And then when we come down to the Academy
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and there's only five boys coming in,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45then the boys who are full internationals now,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47they will perhaps have just missed out.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49So in it all, there's lines to be drawn.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51These are the better phone calls.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Billy, Kevin George. How are you? Are you all right?
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Yeah, very good.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01What I'm phoning for is to offer you a position in the academy.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05There's a couple of boys who are going to come in to us. How would you feel about that?
0:20:07 > 0:20:08Yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So, well done, congratulations, and I'll be talking with you by the end of the week.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14All right? Good. Well done, Billy. All the best. Ta.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17So, from toddlers playing tag rugby
0:20:17 > 0:20:20to teenagers on the threshold of the professional game,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22the Scarlets have a long-term strategy
0:20:22 > 0:20:25to keep the production line of talent in full flow.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29And in the run-up to today's crucial game,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33there's been heartening proof that the system works.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Two of its graduates, Jonathan Davies
0:20:35 > 0:20:37and an unusually shy George North,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39have been named as British and Irish Lions
0:20:39 > 0:20:41in the party to tour Australia.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46But the more successful the academy system is,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50the harder it gets to keep its star products here.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Oh, thank you so much. That's really kind of you.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59The fans are in...reasonable voice.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03All that remains is to secure the win that guarantees
0:21:03 > 0:21:05the Scarlets a place in the play-offs.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Unfortunately, Treviso don't seem to have read the script.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- COMMENTATOR:- 'Oh, danger - a tap back by Snyman.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19'Oh, Pavanello... He's in! It's Antonio Pavanello!'
0:21:19 > 0:21:21WHISTLE
0:21:21 > 0:21:24What was meant to be a victorious send-off
0:21:24 > 0:21:26is turning into an embarrassing defeat.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28The prize the Scarlets have been fighting for all year
0:21:28 > 0:21:30is slipping out of their grasp.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- COMMENTATOR:- 'They haven't got him! And that's it.'
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There's no way back now. The game is lost.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41But for the season, there's a last-gasp retrieve.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46And the final score in Dublin - Leinster, 37, Ospreys, 19.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49The Ospreys have also lost their final match,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and so the Scarlets scrape into the play-offs after all.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55No-one wanted it this way,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58and the post match team talk from head coach Simon Easterby...
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Get out.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03..is not something we can show you this time.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09The final home performance on the pitch also affects
0:22:09 > 0:22:12the commercial prospects for the coming season.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Of course, season tickets have just gone on sale so, you know,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18we'd like to think we could have put a better performance in.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Treviso have not taken anything away.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24They played excellent rugby tonight,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26they played much better rugby than we did.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31For me, what's really important now is the boys take from that,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34get a bit of anger, get a bit of grit,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37and go out to Ulster next week and get some payback.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43So, as the disappointment drains away, the realisation dawns that
0:22:43 > 0:22:46the Scarlets will get a chance to redeem themselves in the play-offs.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50The departing players get a farewell on the pitch.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53It's a poignant end of season tradition here
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and that season could still end with a bang.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03The squad has achieved the goal it set itself
0:23:03 > 0:23:07at the start of the season, reaching the play-offs.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Now it's a winner takes all game against Ulster.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- You defend it as if it's the- BLEEP- last thing you do.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15You defend your line.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17The Irish region has finished top of the league.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20They're red-hot favourites to beat the Scarlets
0:23:20 > 0:23:22and they have a key advantage -
0:23:22 > 0:23:24the match is to be played at Ravenhill,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26their fortress ground in Belfast.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32So, the Scarlets advance guard sets off for the ferry.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Wayne James, the kit man,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36has a tonne of gear in the back of his van.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Typical Belfast weather.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41And there's a typical Belfast welcome.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49The away team changing room in Ravenhill is far from palatial,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52and Wayne needs space for all that kit.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Three rugby jerseys, three rugby shorts, three gym shorts...
0:23:58 > 0:24:01..six T-shirts...
0:24:01 > 0:24:05..and two sets of wet weather gear.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08And then, obviously, you've got the leisurewear after that as well,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10for travelling and all that.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12And there's a whiff of the suggestion that
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Ulster are taking advantage of home advantage.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Wayne phones base with news about the customary practice session
0:24:20 > 0:24:23the Scarlets' place kickers need to size up the ground.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Yeah, just getting back to you on the kickings?
0:24:26 > 0:24:28They said no.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30And why would that be?
0:24:30 > 0:24:35Because it's last-minute and the weather is pretty bad out here,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38so that's what the groundsman's come back with.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Cheers, man. Ta, ta.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46So, as the Scarlets fly in for the battle ahead,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49there's a feeling they're already under a cloud.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54It's an atmosphere that the backroom staff
0:24:54 > 0:24:56do everything they can to lift.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59It's just keeping his calf a bit looser,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01especially when it's a bit fatigued.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03And it makes him look faster!
0:25:05 > 0:25:07The scars of a long season need a healing touch.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12So, it's time to relax...
0:25:12 > 0:25:15and browse the smartphone.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20And no, Scarlets don't come with X-ray vision -
0:25:20 > 0:25:24there's a face hole cut out of the physio table!
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- Just getting him psyched up. This is our psyching moment.- It's sore.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Very sore.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35This time, the analysts have found
0:25:35 > 0:25:38very few weaknesses to target in the opposition.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42The team talk is all about trying to nullify Ulster's strengths.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Double up on him in particular.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47You want to go low, you want to get someone on the ball.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- When he gets hit, he gets- BLEEP- hit again and again and again.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57He doesn't have an influence tonight. He doesn't have an influence either.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Take that access away from them.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It's a big part of their game. Doesn't function.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08And then the players who'll wear the scarlet jersey today
0:26:08 > 0:26:10are reminded of their place in history.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12# Dwyt ti'm yn cofio Macsen... #
0:26:12 > 0:26:14The privilege of facing Ulster
0:26:14 > 0:26:17isn't just the culmination of one season's hard work...
0:26:17 > 0:26:20# ..Mae mil a chwe chant o flynyddoedd... #
0:26:20 > 0:26:21..it's the fruit of everything
0:26:21 > 0:26:24that generations of players have given to the Scarlets.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27# ..Pan aeth Magnus Maximus o Gymru
0:26:27 > 0:26:31# Yn y flwyddyn tri-chant-wyth-tri... #
0:26:31 > 0:26:35They carry the hopes of the past as well as the future.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38# ..A heddiw: wele ni! #
0:26:38 > 0:26:41But rugby can be a brutal sport
0:26:41 > 0:26:44and this match is unforgiving.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Five of the Scarlets who start the match will end it early injured.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51# Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth
0:26:51 > 0:26:54# Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth... #
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Hooker Ken Owens is stretchered away after a worrying blow to his neck.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02# Ry'n ni yma o hyd... #
0:27:02 > 0:27:06George Earle is another Scarlet who put his body in the way of danger.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11For those left standing, it becomes a bruising reminder
0:27:11 > 0:27:15that spirit, commitment, courage and sacrifice don't always prevail.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- COMMENTATOR:- 'Tommy Bowe is there.'
0:27:19 > 0:27:22It's tough. I mean, it's obviously a very physical game
0:27:22 > 0:27:26and you have to be prepared for anything.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30This time, there's no last-minute get out, no happy ending,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32no denying the favourites their victory.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37We weren't good enough the first 40 minutes, unfortunately.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39But it was a bit of fight they're showing.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41For the last 20 minutes we've been good,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44we've had a good attitude. But we got a hammering.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51There are tears of disappointment.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53But here, there's no shame in defeat.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Pride in the jersey is restored.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- COMMENTATOR:- 'It shows the determination in the Scarlets.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04'They haven't been overwhelmed. They fought really hard.'
0:28:04 > 0:28:06You know, the boys have given their all out there.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10You can see the injuries. I just hope Ken's OK, and George, you know.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Yeah....
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Across the year,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18the Scarlets have achieved what they set out to do.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Two of their big names are heading for
0:28:21 > 0:28:23a triumphant tour with the Lions
0:28:23 > 0:28:27and after 140 years of Llanelli rugby,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29the Scarlets are still here.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35But if this has been a tough campaign, next season,
0:28:35 > 0:28:36it's all-out war.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41Events off the pitch get the fans up in arms.