Scarlets 'have to win' against Leinster, says Scott Williams

Centre Scott Williams believes the Scarlets have to beat reigning champions Leinster to stay in the Heineken Cup.

The Scarlets suffered a 49-16 defeat to Clermont Auvergne, one of the favourites for the tournament.

The Welsh side face Leinster in Pool 5 at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday.

"It was a massive game last week and it's going to be even bigger for us this week because we have got to win," said Williams.

"If we don't win maybe we are struggling to proceed. If we get a win, it will boost our confidence."

Leinster travel to Wales to face the Scarlets after being pushed all the way by a dogged Exeter Chiefs side in Dublin last Saturday.

The Irish side ground out a 9-6 victory after the Chiefs replacement fly-half Ignacio Mieres saw his last-ditch penalty to claim a draw drift wide of the posts.

The Scarlets travelled to France as underdogs last Saturday but they were forced to play with 14-men for 53 minutes after wing Morgan Stoddart was sent off for a second yellow card offence by Irish referee Peter Fitzgibbon.

Clermont, who reached last season's Heineken Cup semi-finalists, ran in six tries against the Scarlets and the Welsh side are still looking for their first points in the Pool.

Williams is under no illusions that the Scarlets are in this season's 'Group of Death' or the challenge they face to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.

"None of the teams in the competition are pushovers," said Williams.

"You have to concentrate on winning the game and just getting the win. It's not the easiest group but I don't think anyone has an easy group."

Williams does believe Pool 5 will have plenty of twists and turns as it develops and expects Exeter, in their first season of Heineken Cup rugby, to provide a stern test for Clermont.

"Exeter are becoming a really good team and they were a bit unlucky not to get a draw, or a win, on the weekend," said Williams.

"I think Clermont will have a tough time in Exeter."