Scarlets aim for Wasps Cup sting

POWERGEN CUP FINAL Powergen Cup 2005/6

Twickenham
Sunday, 9 April
Kick-off: 1500 BST

Live on TV, radio and online

Llanelli Scarlets lock Chris Wyatt has billed Sunday's Powergen Cup final as the decisive round of their cup battle with London Wasps this season.

The two rivals each won at home in their Heineken Cup pool double-header.

"The Powergen is something we bought into from the start this year," former Wales lock Wyatt told BBC Five Live.

"For us it is a real priority, a chance to win some silverware at a meaningful level against quality opposition. That achievement is within reach now."

The veteran former Wales lock insists their previous cup battles this season will have little bearing on who emerges victorious at Twickenham however.

There is a lot of argument as to how strong the English Premiership is compared to ours Scarlets lock Chris Wyatt

"Whatever we have done against each other already this season is irrelevant," he said.

"At Stradey Park Wasps would feel they didn't really turn up and we felt the same when we lost at their place.

"So this is a chance to see where we stand against each other and that adds a bit more spice.

"We have had a great affinity with cup rugby in the past and we can take some solace from that, but this is a whole new one for us and a new one for Wasps too."

Wasps are challenging strongly in the Guinness Premiership, while the Scarlets are well set for a late charge at the Celtic League title if they can win their games in hand.

Bath 26-27 Scarlets

Dubbed the "cup kings" of Wales, they showed their pedigree with a thrilling one-point win over Bath in the semi-finals, while Wasps held off Leicester in the other half of the double-header at the Millennium Stadium.

"The Anglo-Welsh rivalry is still there," Wyatt added. "It is massive for the players to test themselves against quality opposition from elsewhere, which we don't do on a weekly basis in the Celtic League.

"There is a lot of argument as to how strong the English Premiership is compared to ours and this is an opportunity to test ourselves against the best in that league.

"I certainly expect Wasps to turn up this week with all the quality they possess throughout their squad.

"They have a forward pack that can compete with most teams at European level and backs that can cause any side damage.

"We like to think we bring very similar attributes. We are famed for our more attacking style of play but we also have a set of forwards that can challenge anyone on our day."

Scrum V: Have your say on rugby