"I am not afraid of an army of Lions led by a sheep, I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a Lion "
On the plains of Gaugamela, Alexander the Great, led his 40,000 infantry and 7000 Cavalry into battle against a force of 1 million strong Persian Army.
Up against overwhelming numbers on foreign soil, he won.
Alexander was a tactical military genius and at the age of 25, was King of Macedonia, Pharaoh of Egypt and the Great King of Persia. He had been educated by the famed philosopher Aristotle, while Aristotle had been a student of Plato, both exceptional scholars.
The teachings transcendental, the lineage inspiring. Alexander learned of historical wrongs, which he himself would put right, he saw it as his personnel destiny and glory. Such was his leadership qualities, his army followed him for over 13 years and travelled 11,000 miles on their conquests.
His memorable from the heart speeches, his personnel touch, his fearless, reckless, disregard for his own life by always leading from the front, became legendary.
He founded over 70 Cities and created an Empire of over two million square miles. His Tactical genius was studied by the Romans, Hannibal and Napoleon, he led an army without suffering a single defeat.
Alexander really believed that it was his destiny to conquer and coupled with a determined belief, instilled a conviction and desire, that whatever he faced, he would prevail.
A belief and a desire to succeed are themselves, massive motivators. It is the quality that wells up from deep within, an inner strength. An intangible of the human spirit to excel, to rise up and overcome any adversity.
The Tigers have a desire to achieve, but the Scarlets have the Soul to succeed.
Last minute bull dozing from the Caterpillar steel driven pack, ensure they are a formidable foe. No Welsh team has won at Welford Road, the time has now arrived for the two Scarlet Lions and the wise Lyon, to right this far too long wrong.
Alexanders army marched 11,000 miles, the Scarlet support of over 11,000 made their own unique march to the City ground in 2002. In that game of games, a penalty was awarded to Leicester in the final quarter.
While Martin Johnson was debating with Rod Kafer about which line out option to take, Tim Stimpson had signalled his intention to go for goal, without his Captain's agreement. It was too late to change the call, by the time Johnson had walked up to Tim.
Stimpson had been hitting 65 yard kicks in practice and felt confident, so Johnson told him, "I'll love you for life, if you get it".
The wind inside the ground was swirling and unpredictable that day, but it didn't swirl enough at that moment.
So close and yet so far and as Aristotle once advised " For the things we have to learn, before we can do them, we learn by doing them".
But it has been a long and hard learning curve, I long for a straight path.
Captain Rees is a fantastic match winning Lion and is spearheading our forward campaign and is relishing leading from the front. The best no 10 in Europe, without equal, is already displaying his personnel quest, alongside his Captain to deliver to his beloved Scarlets the "Graal".
We have backs with creative cunning, innovation and sleight of hand, with a daring Cavalry of the highest order.
The ingredients are all there for one more assault on English soil. The three Lions of the Scarlets, to tame the three Lions of England.
The odds are stacked against us, the Tigers have a reputation for handing out mauling's at home.
But the roar of a Lion can be heard for over 5 miles and the Scarlet support considerably more.
We are the rugby neutrals favoured team, for all that is true in Rugby Football. We are the good guys, we don't cheat, or flatter to deceive with a win at all costs, sell your soul moment. We play rugby with a running way, that an inspired William Webb Ellis had a vision for, when " With fine disregard, he took the ball in his arms and ran with it".
We have been running with it, throughout our history, with historic honour and style in its purest form. We don't grind, we glide and shimmer like heat waves flowing through air.
Everything we have endured, learned, experienced will be condensed into 80 minutes of cleansing with a fervent releasing of shackles and irons of pain.
The West Wales magicians are returning, not with mystical sorcery, but resplendent with new colours, renewed heart, pride and a will power to succeed with the Scarlet way.
The re-awakening of the Scarlet soul heralds those years of hardship and valour to be converted into days of glory.
As we head for the Tigers lair, heed the words of Alexander, " Remember upon the conduct of each, depends the fate of all".
We march to Leicester, led by a Lion, to put the past to rights.
Best of luck ....your going to need it
