Scotland skipper John Barclay will be outnumbered 10 to one in Cardiff on Saturday – and Wales star Hadleigh Parkes says he can expect no favours.
Barclay will have team-mates everywhere at the Principality Stadium, with 14 in the Scotland side and 10 of his Scarlets colleagues in a Wales line-up determined to continue their opponents’ long losing sequence on Welsh soil.
The 31-year-old flanker has proved a driving force behind Scarlets’ notable recent achievements – Guinness PRO12 title glory last term, and a place in this season’s European Champions Cup quarter-finals after they
Like Barclay, Parkes has been instrumental to the Scarlets success story, but this weekend’s NatWest 6 Nations opener will not be a time for any old pals’ act.
Asked if Barclay might gain an edge, given his potential inside knowledge, a smiling Parkes said: “It might do, but I don’t think so.
“He is a pretty sensible man, but it is just what happens on the day. He might know us, but we know him pretty well, too.
“He is quite a niggly player, but a good player as well. I hope we can get stuck into him. The spoils after the game would be good.”
Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell, another one of the sizeable Scarlets contingent, can expect to be in Barclay’s sights as Scotland look to close down his time and space.
But Parkes added: “‘Patch’ is used to that – most 10s are. Everyone likes to get stuck into a 10. He is big enough to be able to take care of himself.
“He has a pretty calm head for a young lad. He has a pretty impressive and sizeable boot on him, and he is extremely fast for a 10 as well.
“Give him the outside break or a one-on-one opportunity, more often than not he comes off first. This opportunity for him will be huge, and I hope he has a great game.”
Parkes arrived on the Test match scene only two months ago after completing his Wales residency qualification period, and he made an instant impression by claiming a try double in Wales’ 24-22 victory over South Africa.
His parents Bill and Janet will travel from New Zealand to watch their son’s Six Nations debut, and Parkes is relishing being part of European Rugby’s blue riband event.
“The history has been so big over the years,” he said. “These are the biggest rivalries – Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Italy.
“They are big, and the fans make it a pretty impressive tournament. I have been to a fair few games since I have been over here, and you don’t get an atmosphere like this in the southern hemisphere.
“The rivalry between the six nations is huge and has been around a long time. More importantly, the fans really love it and get right behind it.
“Scotland have been playing extremely well in the last couple of years, and they really try to up the tempo, with quick lineouts and thriving on mistakes and turnover ball. We have to nullify that, not have too many mistakes and play some good footy.”
Reporting from the Press Association.