Llanelli success almost complete

Llanelli are ready to complete one of the most remarkable transformations in British rugby union history this weekend by securing a European Cup final place. The Scarlets run out against Northampton tomorrow, just three years after a crippling cash crisis threatened to engulf them.

Llanelli were in such a financial mess that they sold their famous Stradey Park ground to the Welsh Rugby Union for £1 million-plus and launched a Save Our Scarlets share option.

The collapse of a projected £3 million cash injection from outside investors left Llanelli with a star-studded squad but little money to pay them.

"They were dark days," said the Scarlets' Wales outhalf Stephen Jones, who could have left Llanelli at that fraught stage of the club's illustrious history.

"A couple of clubs approached me, but Llanelli was always the team I supported and the only team I really wanted to play for.

"The turnaround at the club since then has been a dramatic one, and now we find ourselves in a Heineken Cup semi-final."

Llanelli will already collect more than £300,000 from this season's European success story, but becoming the first Welsh club to be crowned European champions would mean far more than hard cash.

More than 20,000 are expected at Reading's Madejski Stadium a venue where Northampton clinched their Tetley's Bitter Cup final spot just four weeks ago.

Both sides are at full strength, but Saints boss John Steele yesterday sprang a surprise in dropping former England out-half Paul Grayson. Grayson, whose late penalty accounted for Wasps in the quarter-finals, is replaced by Ali Hepher.

Elsewhere, full back Nick Beal (hamstring), centre Allan Bateman (ribs), flanker Budge Pountney (broken nose) and captain Pat Lam (shoulder) have all been declared fit.

While Northampton bid to become the third English Heineken Cup finalists this weekend, their Premiership rivals Bristol go in search of European Shield glory.

Bristol boss Bob Dwyer has once again selected a shadow side for another daunting trip to southern France.

His policy worked last time - the west country club beating Biarritz 32-29 - but current French Championship high-fliers Pau promise an altogether tougher test.