Dan Soper told the pre-match media briefing that the squad has benefitted from a training week in the schedule, after a relentless fixture list over the past month or so.
Importance of preparation
"This is the first long week into a game since back in the Six Nations period. Having a week like last week was valuable to get stuck into some coaching that is difficult to do with games every week.
Having the training week meant there was detail we could spend time on, so we want to see how that’s transferred into the match."
Benetton win
"We kept the ball a lot better against Benetton than Cardiff. Our completion rate was better and that led to us scoring more points. We are leaking more points than we want to but are working on that."
Play-Off push
"Three games left, it’s so tight in that top eight and it could be a top seven if the Hollywoodbets Sharks win the Challenge Cup. One game at a time and Scarlets this weekend. I think it will be tough.
We know Jared Payne and Dwayne Peel very well, and they know us well. They have had a tough season, a few jiggle arounds with their coaching staff too. If you look at their form in the past few weeks they are improving as a side."
Welcoming players back
"It’s good to have Rob Herring and Stewart Moore back from injury for this weekend. Jacob Stockdale and Dave Shanahan are back after their HIA from Benetton.
James Hume is in good spirits and is getting ready for surgery for his ACL. He’s a determined young man so he will see it as an opportunity to get better at other things for when he comes back."
Winger, Jacob Stockdale, spoke about his form and the need to keep pushing for wins as the regular season comes to an end in just a few games time.
Benetton victory
"It was class, Kingspan Stadium when it’s hopping is an amazing place to play. We all feel it as players on the pitch, fortunately we were able to give the crowd something to cheer about and score a few tries. We would have liked not to concede 34 but it’s a win against an experienced team in Benetton, who are playing some good rugby. It was good to get the five points."
On his form this season
"It's been up and down, I’m happy with where I’m at. I’m playing well, scoring a few tries and I suppose the main goal is that as a winger.
We have three games of regular season so want to take every game as it comes. This is must-win, the league is so tight, you can drop four or five places with a loss and climb a place or two with a win. We need to keep putting points on the table."
On facing Scarlets
"Dwayne Peel and Jared Payne are two guys who know our game inside out, know our rugby and will have our cards marked. Scarlets have struggled this year but they still have a good, quality squad. They have talented forwards and if you give their backs a sniff the will take it. They are dangerous and we have to be on it."
Using time to train
"Last week was an opportunity to look at things more broadly. When you have a game at the end of each week, you are focused on playing the 80 minutes, so it gave Richie a chance to look at more general things in our play and drive the detail.
It gave a good chance for some recovery as it's been week to week since South Africa, the away trips to France, followed by two home URC matches."
Forward, Cormac Izuchukwu, told the press that he was delighted to have had more opportunities in the Senior team over the past number of weeks.
The 24-year-old Offaly man made key contributions in the past two match weeks, with a try-saving tackle against Cardiff that generated attention and his first try for the province in the victory over Benetton.
On more game-time
"I’ve had some chances, to be fair but I probably haven’t shown my best abilities yet or seen best of myself. I’ve had to wait and in the last two weeks I’ve possibly been lucky with getting involved against Cardiff, having that tackle go my way and getting confidence from that."
On that tackle against Cardiff
"I seen the views on Instagram, it was wild!
I came off the bench, felt fresh and he was open so I ran after him! The ball came out so I was happy with that! I didn't think too much of it but I got a few text messages about it later that night.
I was down in Ikea the other day and some lady came up to me and talked to me about it. It made my day to be honest! It’s been good, it’s nice to get that feeling."
Help from coaches and players
"Dan (McFarland) was great to me, he brought me here and I was desperate to just keep playing rugby. He gave me the opportunity, Sopes (Dan Soper) and Jared Payne were great to me too.
Richie Murphy coming in has helped give me confidence, he has reminded me of the things I’m good at and can focus on.
Big Al O'Connor has been a massive help, especially with jumping at lineouts. When I came grew up I played centre, when I was in Newcastle I moved into the second row and then I played for the Sevens.
I hadn’t played as a forward properly so he taught me everything about mauling, jumping in lineouts and scrums. Harry Sheridan is a good friend and he’s always been great with me, it’s healthy competition!"
On Scarlets test
"Winning is important for the club and for our fans. Every game we play now is vital. We have to keep going. If we take care of our performance the rest will work itself out. They have JP and Dwayne Peel so they know a lot about us. It’s a big game for us at this stage of the season and we are aiming to win them all."