Official Leinster Supporters Club Guide to Llanelli. Scarlets vs Leinster Parc Y Scarlets December

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1 Official Leinster Supporters Club Guide to Llanelli Scarlets vs Leinster Parc Y Scarlets December

2 Introduction Llanelli is small Welsh village with a strong rugby tradition and a population of 47,500 people. The town was originally was historically a mining one however now relies on the manufacturing industry. Llanelli has been a favourite destination with travelling supporters for the Magners League over the last few years featuring as the OLSC s official Magners League away trip for the last two years. Historically a minor town, Llanelli grew significantly in the 18th and 19th centuries with the mining of coal and later the tinplate industry and steelworks. Llanelli became such a significant regional producer of tin that it was once referred to as Tinopolis. The closure of coal mines and competition from overseas steel plants meant that Llanelli, like many other towns in southern Wales, saw significant and sustained economic decline from the late 1970s. The tradition lives on though, in the model tin saucepans that adorn the top of the goal posts first in Stradey Park, and now in Parc Y Scarlets, as well in that great song of Llanelli rugby, Sosban Fach (Little Saucepan). Getting there Cardiff International Airport (CWL), served by Aer Arann is located 92km from Llanelli. If you are travelling from Cardiff take a train or taxi from the airport to Cardiff Central train station and from there you can connect to Llanelli. The journey time is approximately two hours full details and tickets can be obtained at www. thetrainline.co.uk Bristol International Airport (BRI), served by Ryanair, is 157kms from Llanelli. Take the Flyer bus from outside arrivals to Bristol Temple Meads train station where you will board a train to Llanelli, total journey time is two and a half hours. Rail tickets cost from 37 return including the Flyer bus (see co.uk) Rental car hire, taxis and minicabs are available for hire from outside arrivals, details and advance bookings can be made via

3 Another travel option is the Ferry. Stenaline, partner to Leinster Rugby may have late availability, full details can be found at OLSC Transfer buses At the time of writing there was very limited availability for these services from both Cardiff and Bristol, for further details please Taxis in Llanelli Taxis from the city centre of Llanelli to the ground are circa 5 and can usually take up to four people. Master Cabs Taxi Llanelli Jan s Taxis Felinfoel Cars Taxis in Swansea If you are staying in Swansea and don t want to take the train, a one way taxi fare to Llanelli is circa 28 for up to four people in most cases. High Street Cabs Tidy Taxis Cwmbwrla Cabs

4 Supporter HQs The OLSC has arranged for these supporter headquarters so that regardless of whether you are travelling alone or in a group, those on the road can meet at a central point before and after the match as well as across the weekend. As supporters will be staying in both Llanelli and Swansea we have a base in both. Llanelli The Thomas Arms, Thomas Street, Llanelli SA15 3JF The folks at the Thomas Arms are waiting to welcome the Blue Army over the course of the weekend. Hot food is served from 12 noon 9.30pm daily with prices starting from just Breakfast is served daily and on the Sunday you can enjoy a Welsh cooked breakfast with a pint of ale for Supporters can also purchase a discount voucher for 2 and avail of reduced price Welsh beers throughout the weekend. The pub which is well located hosts a number of bars, it also offers a carvery and nightclub for those wanting to dance the night away Swansea The Walkabout, 5-6 Castle Square, Swansea SA1 1DW The OLSC has teamed up with the crew at the Walkabout in Swansea where there will be 25% off all food and drink across the weekend for jersey clad Leinster supporters. In addition, pints of Fosters priced at just 2.00 The Walkabout is open late and has numerous TV screens to watch the other Heineken Cup games (and other sports) across the weekend.

5 Park Y Scarlets The new home to the Scarlets, Park y Scarlets is a state-of-the-art stadium that opened in November 2008 at a cost of 23m. Its capacity is 14,807. There is a regular bus from the central bus and train stations to the ground. This service runs up to two hours post match. Alternatively, a taxi from town is around Keep in contact with the OLSC Did you know that the OLSC are now on Facebook and Twitter? Join us now to be kept up to date with the latest OLSC news and merchandise information. Facebook: Official Leinster Supporters Club Twitter: OLSCRugby

6 Message from the coach Dear supporters, On behalf of the squad and management I would like to thank you for your outstanding support of the Leinster team. We have been drawn against three tough teams this year and we are under no illusion as to how challenging the upcoming pool games at home and away to Brive, the Scarlets and London Irish will be. Brive are a proud French club who have recruited strongly over the summer months with real aspirations of qualifying to the knockout stages. The Scarlets are a top class side who boast a fine tradition of fast, open attacking rugby. We have played twice in Parc y Scarlets, winning once and losing in the opening round of this year s Magners League campaign, so we will need to put in a strong performance to get a positive result in our back-to-back games with them this month. We renew acquaintances with London Irish in January having already played them in the opening Heineken Cup pool game. Though the result went against us that day, I was delighted with the manner of our victory in Brive the following week. I hope that you enjoy following the team once again in our journey across Europe this year. We are excited about the impending challenges and we are extremely appreciative of all of your support, both at home and away. Your backing galvanised the squad to European success last year and you conducted yourselves superbly, making friends all over Europe. As champions of Europe we will be the team to beat, but the squad are determined to meet our opponents in a positive frame of mind. Finally, can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing you on the road. All the best, Michael Cheika Leinster Coach

7 Message from the OLSC committee In the past two years the OLSC has brought small groups of supporters to Llanelli as part of our annual Magners League trip, this year however a great many more of you will make the trip to this corner of South Wales to back the team in what has become a crucial encounter in our 2010 Heineken Cup bid. Even that small band of supporters has shown the effect that a vociferous support can have on the road. You can never underestimate the impact that a noisy travelling support can have on the team, especially in crunch fixtures such as this. So, let s aim to recreate the atmosphere we saw in the Twickenham Stoop last season when we played Harlequins. Get to the stadium early - an hour before kick off is ideal - to soak up the atmosphere and most importantly take up position. Park Y Scarlets is a wonderful stadium with plenty of facilities on offer so you won t be missing out. The OLSC, with the support of Volkswagen, has produced some blue santa hats for the games over the festive period so look out for these being handed out in the ground. Last but not least, ensure you have your singing voice in good order to make some noise! Hopefully we will see you in one of the Supporter HQs after the game. C MON LEINSTER! OLSC committee Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Financial Regulator