SCARLETS forwards coach Danny Wilson believes the region need to develop a tougher edge if they are to challenge for honours this season.
The Scarlets made the Pro12 play-offs for the first time last term with a new-look pack gelling impressively for large parts of the campaign.
However, in many of the high-profile games — the play-off semi-final in Belfast, the derbies against the Ospreys and in a brutal Heineken Cup pool — the Scarlets came up short.
And that is something the coaching team at Parc y Scarlets are keen to rectify.
"We want to be a group that is far more hard-nosed this season," said the former Dragons boss.
Consistent
"A lot of our signings from last year have now settled well, but we need to become a tougher group mentally.
"We have been capable of beating anybody on our day, but we have also been capable of losing to anybody on our day.
"That is where we need to become more consistent and more hard-nosed and demand a standard that we never go under.
"I know the coaching group share that same philosophy and I hope we will see some steps forward in those areas this season."
The Scarlets are still hoping to bolster their squad for next season with the No. 8 position a priority, but Wilson believes the region already possesses the forwards who can unleash a talented back division with British Lion Jonathan Davies at its heart.
"Over the last season or two we have signed where we have needed to and the second row pairing of Joe Snyman and George Earle have been excellent for us and added a little bit to the area that we needed," he added.
"I am excited to see John Barclay on the field, I think he is going to be a great addition to the squad, he will add good leadership in what is a young squad and a relatively young pack of forwards.
"I think we have got a nice mixture there with our own home-grown youngsters coming through as well as more established players like Ken Owens, who are really looking forward to a good season ahead."
The Scarlets begin their pre-season campaign at home to Exeter Chiefs on August 17.
Robert Lloyd
