Nigel Davies says the Scarlets players must stay focussed

Scarlets boss Nigel Davies has warned their new Wales call-ups that hopes of first caps will be lost if they face a Heineken Cup qualification play-off.

Uncapped Scarlets back-rowers Rob McCusker and Josh Turnbull, plus centre Jonathan Davies have been included in Wales' squad to tour North America.

But they will miss out if the Scarlets finish below Newport Gwent Dragons in the final Magners League table.

"We've got two games and if we win one of those we qualify," Davies said.

The Scarlets go to Cardiff Blues on Wednesday and then host Ulster on Saturday night in their final match of the season, while the Dragons are at home to Leinster earlier that evening.

The lowest-placed Welsh region in the Magners League must contest next season's 24th and final Heineken place with an Italian side in a qualification play-off game on 29 May.

That will take place on the eve of Wales' opening tour clash against Canada, ruling out either all the Scarlets players or all the Dragons players from Tests against Canada and the USA.

606: DEBATE No disrespect to the Dragons or their fans (I am one) but wouldn't it been seen as a huge failure on the part of the Scarlets if they finished 4th out of the regions and had to qualify for the HC through the play-offs? bedfordwelsh

Experienced Scarlets duo Dafydd Jones and Mark Jones were named alongside the three rookies, while the Dragons have Lewis Evans, Dan Lydiate, Jason Tovey and Luke Charteris in caretaker Wales coach Robin McBryde's squad.

The Llanelli side are traditionally Welsh rugby's European flag-bearers having reached three Heineken Cup semi-finals and four European quarter-finals.

Davies knows it would be dire if the famous old club fail to qualify for next season's competition.

The Scarlets sit a point above the Dragons with a game in hand, knowing one win will be enough for automatic qualification to European club rugby's top table.

"It's a simple equation really," added Scarlets director of rugby Davies. "The players are fully aware of what's at stake.

"If they didn't need any motivation before this... then certainly [with the Wales squad announcement] that was given to them.

"But that's something that they have to put completely out of their minds.

"These boys realise that this performance for the club is important, the result is hugely important, and if and when they can do that then they can think about other things.

"Until that happens they can't dream too much at this moment in time and they're aware of that.

"They're all delighted to have got the call-up but realise that they have a job to do before they can achieve that."

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