NEW Scarlets skipper Matthew Rees has delivered a no-nonsense message to his side ahead of the new season, declaring: "The time for excuses is over."

Rees has taken over the armband from the retired Mark Jones for the 2010-11 campaign, meaning a first taste of captaincy in senior rugby.

It will be a big challenge for the 39-cap Wales and British Lions hooker, particularly as he is likely to be heavily involved on the international stage, culminating in the World Cup in New Zealand at the back end of next year.

But the man known as 'Smiler' is relishing what lies ahead over the next 14 months and is determined to lead his side out of what has been a success-starved era down West.

"The past couple of years have been disappointing and it is time that changed, we need to get results on the board and push forward," the former Celtic Warrior told the Post.

"We have had a policy of developing our own and we are seeing a lot of players come through.

"But those players are a couple of years older now, players like Jon Davies, Lou Reed and Dominic Day have had experience of the Magners League and Heineken Cup and we can't make excuses now about how we are such a young side.

"Last year we also lost some key players, quality players like Morgan Stoddart and Regan King, who are back fit for the start of the season.

"There is plenty of experience in this side now and we need to start delivering the results."

You can see why Rees has been handed the reins by head coach Nigel Davies.

The 29-year-old has emerged as a go-to man both for region and country — a player transformed since grasping his big opportunity on the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa.

"When he talks he is straight to the point, he has huge respect within the squad and expects high standards," said Davies.

And with the likes of Wallaby David Lyons and fellow Lion Stephen Jones as his deputies — and former captains Robin McBryde, Simon Easterby and Mark Jones in the coaching ranks — he won't be short of expertise to call on either.

"I will probably have a chat to someone like Simon who captained the side for a long time," added Rees. "But I will have my own ideas and my own ways.

"If words have to be said then it has got to be done, but I just hope to get the best out of the boys.

"We are looking to restore respect. That is the aim."

Rees, one of the Scarlets' Wales tourists to New Zealand in the summer, will sit out Saturday's latest pre-season encounter against Worcester Warriors at Parc y Scarlets as he continues his conditioning programme.

New loan signing from Bath Jonny Fa'amatuainu is set to feature, along with the likes of Stoddart, who has recovered from groin surgery.

Wing Lee Williams is currently nursing a fractured cheekbone picked up in training and is set to miss the start of the season, while forward Aaron Shingler (shoulder) and fly-half Dan Newton (ankle) have returned to training following surgery.