Scarlets v Edinburgh Matchday Programme

v EDINBURGH 01.11.20 k.o. 18:45

issue / rhifyn 2

rhaglen diwrnod gêm swyddogol 20-21

SCARLETS 20-21 official matchday programme

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CLUB DIRECTORY Scarlets Regional, Parc y Scarlets, Parc Pemberton, Llanelli, SA14 9UZ Website: www.scarlets.wales Phone: 01554 783900 Email: comments@scarlets.wales Twitter: @scarlets_rugby Facebook: Official Scarlets Instagram: @ scarlets_rugby Youtube: @ScarletsTV Shop Macron Siop Phone: 01554 783932 Website: scarletsmacronshop.com Ticket office I Swyddfa Docynnau Phone: 01554 292939 Website: tickets.scarlets.wales

CONTENTS cynnwys v EDINBURGH rugby 01.11.20 KO 18:45

08

Officers I Swyddogion Chairman I Cadeirydd: Simon Muderack President I Llywydd: Phil Bennett Chief Operating Officer I Prif Swyddog Gweithredol: Phil Morgan General Manager of Rugby I Rheolwr Rygbi Cyffredinol: Jon Daniels Head Coach I Prif Hyfforddwr: Glenn Delaney Chaplain I Caplan Reverend Eldon Phillips Historian I Hanesydd Les Willaims

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Y Cyfarwyddwyr Simon Muderack Philip Davies Robin Cammish Jon Daniels Sean Fitzpatrick Emyr Wyn Evans Huw Evans Meurig Griffiths Tim Griffiths

Tyler Morgan on his fresh start down west

20

Eyes of the rugby world on the Parc

39

Look who we’ve drawn in the Champions Cup

Brian Jones Ron Jones Phil Morgan David Owen Bleddyn Phillips Nigel Short Peter Thomas Granville Wise

PROGRAMME I RHAGLEN Editor/Golygydd Rob Lloyd Photography/Ffotograffiaeth Huw Evans Picture Agency Riley Sports Photography Design/Cynllunio Adam Bourne - Galant Designs Aimee McHugh - Scarlets

48

Remember this game from the archives?

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Simon Muderack

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE I

would like to begin my match-day message by paying tribute to one of Welsh rugby’s greats, JJ Williams, who sadly passed away on Thursday morning. A member of the Llanelli side that toppled the mighty All Blacks on that memorable October afternoon 48 years ago to this day, he will be fondly remembered in these parts as a mesmeric runner and prolific try-scorer.

Our president Phil Bennett, a former team-mate for Llanelli, Wales and the Lions, says some lovely words about JJ the player and JJ the person in these programme pages and there have been some wonderful tributes from all over the rugby world in recent days.

As a club we will pay our respect with a moment’s silence before today’s kick-off and as Scarlets our thoughts are with the family and friends at this sad time.

To our supporters, I hope you are all keeping safe and well and like myself were immensely proud to see Parc y Scarlets hosting Six Nations rugby yesterday.

The eyes of the rugby world were on this small corner of West Wales and to see the stadium looking resplendent, decked out as it was, is testament to all the hard work that has gone in behind the scenes to make this happen.

We have always felt that the facilities we have here at the Parc are as good as any club ground out there, so seeing Wales make this place their home this autumn is a proud moment for all the Scarlets family.

Congratulations as well to all the Scarlets involved — eight in the red of Wales and Blade for Scotland. Our development pathways continue to churn out players for international rugby with home-grown products Keiran Hardy and Josh Macleod earning their first call-ups this autumn, along with Johnny Williams who joined us from Newcastle in the summer.

It was a shame to see Josh pick up a hamstring injury in Glasgow. He has been outstanding for us over the last 18 months, a real force of nature and would surely have been capped over the next five weeks or so.

His opportunity will come again, I’m sure of that, but in the meantime, it gives others a chance to stake their claim for the Scarlets.

As a club we have always been about bringing through the next crop of Scarlets and I’m looking forward to seeing plenty more youngsters pull on the jersey in the coming weeks.

The recent squad games against the Ospreys and Dragons have given us a glimpse of the bright young talent we have here and it was great to be able to bring you live coverage of that match at Rodney Parade a couple of weeks ago.

During these tough times, we are trying as much as we can to engage with our supporters through our digital channels and hopefully we can do the same for future games.

As for this evening’s match, it’s another big one.

Welcome to Edinburgh, their team, coaches and officials.

Let’s hope for a great encounter at the Parc and hopefully another win to build on last weekend’s spirited effort in Treviso.

Enjoy the game

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GLENN DELANEY

COACH’S MESSAGE I

t’s great to be back at the Parc for another big Guinness PRO14 match-up, although we really feel for the fans who can’t be here at the moment. Without doubt that is the hardest thing for us during this pandemic.

We are a really sociable club, really close with our fans, we play for them and when they are not allowed to be with us that is really tough.

In Treviso there was a small family there in the crowd to cheer us on, it was brilliant to see them and it was lovely to say hi to those guys at the end.

It was a tough game for us out there, a real character-based result in difficult conditions and at a venue where we haven’t won for a couple of years.

It wasn’t always pretty and we came away with plenty to work on, but there were also a number of aspects of the game we were pleased with.

A lot of players who haven’t had much rugby in recent months had their chance, which was a big plus. I thought we took our try well and had a few other clean chances to score as well. A couple of dropped balls and that last pass cost us other scores and we’ve been working on that this week.

Once again, congratulations to all the Scarlets involved in international rugby this weekend, the Welsh boys and, of course, Blade who was back on home soil in Scotland colours yesterday.

Behind the scenes a huge amount of work has gone in to make Parc y Scarlets a home from home for the national team for the next six weeks or so and congratulations to the staff involved here at the Scarlets for making it happen.

As a group we celebrate all our call-ups and are proud of how many Scarlets are involved in Test rugby at the moment. On the flip side, this period also provides opportunities for others, enabling

us to give guys game time and blood youngsters.

We have always believed in that here and it is something I have always believed in during my coaching career. It is a fabulous chance to get boys on the field and grow their experience.

A warm welcome back to Llanelli to Richard Cockerill and his Edinburgh team, hopefully the weather is a bit more favourable than the last time you were here in the middle of Storm Dennis!

We always know Edinburgh are formidable opponents and this evening’s challenge will be no different.

To the Scarlets back home, once again thanks for all your support for the boys, it means a lot.

These are tough times, so stay safe and we look forward to the day when we can welcome you back to the Parc.

Diolch

A FRESH START DOWN WEST

Tyler Morgan talks of his summer switch to Parc y Scarlets and learning off one of the best

H

aving one of the world’s leading players in your position as a rival for the jersey would sway most players in a different direction.

But it didn’t stop Tyler Morgan heading west this summer and the former Dragon hasn’t looked back since.

Even though Tyler only recently celebrated his 25th birthday there’s already been plenty of twists and turns to his rugby career.

Capped by Wales as a teenager, he was called up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign and started in the epic quarterfinal against the Springboks at Twickenham.

“I came in with a huge amount of respect for what has already been set-up here.

The squad was built here before I came so you have got to get settled in and prove you should be in the shirt — whether that takes a lot of appearances off the bench or to start when the international boys are away.

“In myself I felt I needed something fresh, a new challenge mentally. I was hoping coming here would give me a fresh start and I think it has, it has given me a different outlook to rugby.

Since then, opportunities in the international arena have been sporadic.

But Morgan remains philosophical about it all and is just enjoying the fresh experience that comes with a move to a new club.

“There is such a different way of playing, the training and environment makes you enjoy coming to training again. Obviously, it is well documented I have had a few injuries, but hopefully they are in the past now. I have come here just willing to learn, I want to cement my place in the team, whether that takes time I am not too fussed.”

“I knew I was coming here with a lot of competition. I kind of accepted that I wasn’t going to be starting straight away, especially with Foxy here, that is one of the reasons I came, I can learn so much off him,” he says.

In recent years, Tyler has also had to deal with being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, something he hasn’t allowed to set him back, citing Exeter and England star Henry Slade as a prime example.

“To be honest, I am always learning with it,” he admits.

“I have some days where things go all sorts of wrong. I am driving, have a hypo and have to pull over in Costa and have a flapjack at six in the morning. They are great here looking after me; it is about being strict with your food, any Type 1 will tell you, you can do two things in a row and your results could be completely different, it is a guessing game but you have to try and control it as much as you can. It is difficult.

“The diabetes was linked to quite a few of the injuries as it was supposedly underlying for quite a while according to the medics. It’s been a period of growing up for me and realising my body might not be as robust as others. I have to take care of it better so I do pilates and a bit of yoga and ice and hot baths with stretching in the evenings.

It’s about eating right and recovering properly which I probably neglected when I was younger without realising. Now I know I wish I’d known four years ago, but hopefully it will help me.”

So how does he look back on that ‘whirlwind’ start to his professional rugby career?

“I was only 18 or 19 at the time. I honestly don’t remember much of it as it all happened so quickly, but I do have fond memories, pictures and stories of that time. A couple of years after that I got a few injuries, but there is no point looking back with regret, it is what it is.

“Obviously international rugby is the end goal and one of the reasons why I came here – to get better again.

I’m around the Welsh boys here and I want to get back to the squad eventually, but I’m just taking my time.

the field, his professionalism.

He has also had his fair share of injuries as well. I have never thought of an injury as a setback, rather an opportunity and I think he looks at it the same. It has never fazed me, it’s just another challenge to get past.”

As for the immediate goals, for Morgan it is all about making gradual strides

“The team goals here I have noticed are way more driven.

Instead of individual work-ons, it is all about the team, whether that is me sacrificing myself for the weekend to make the

“It is great just learning off people like Fox (Jon Davies), just the professionalism he brings to everyday life. He is in the best nick here by far and that he does is testament to what he does off the field, how he looks after himself, he commands a lot of respect around the place.

“There are obviously things on the field he can teach me as well, but it is more off

“Physically I feel as good as I have done for a long, long time,” he adds.

“As I said, I’m enjoying the training environment here. I find I’m training a lot more with ball in hand and the style here is that we want to attack which suits me. There is a lot more ball in the wider channels and the more I get of that, the happier I am.

Hopefully I can have a good impact on the team.”

team better it is what it is, you are working on the things you need to be better to make the team better, that mentality is something new to me.�

AUTOGRAPH PAGE LIAM WILLIAMS

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WHY IT MATTERS KELLY BROWN | GLASGOW WARRIORS

“I had a script I’d written; I’d planned it all out, I stood in front of 100 or so kids, and I completely froze. I just couldn’t say a word. The sound of silence was defeaning.”

I’ve become a patron of Stamma, the British Stammering Association. I’ve been asked for the last couple of years if I’d become a patron, and I feel it’s important to raise awareness around the issue. It’s something I’ve managed my whole life and it’s something that I feel like needs to be talked about more. A lot of people don’t really understand stammering and perceive it as nerves or a weakness – I want to raise awareness and make it easier for stammerers in the future.

My first memory of stammering was a school assembly when I was about 11 or so. I’d been on a school ski trip the week before, and I was asked if I would stand up in assembly and speak about it. I had a script I’d written; I’d planned it all out, I stood up in front of 100 or so kids, and I completely froze. I just couldn’t say a word. The sound of silence was deafening.

My dad also stammers, so neither of us were very sure about the best course of action – I had a bit of therapy off and on, but it never really bothered me to be honest. I was fortunate enough that I was never bullied because of my stammer, probably because I was quite a big lad!

A big turning point for me, though, was the 2010 Six Nations. I’d been picked to start for Scotland in the first game against France, and the BBC had asked to do an interview with me. I did it, and it was absolutely dreadful. It was so bad I went to the Scotland media manager and asked to make sure the interview never got shown.

That was a real catalyst for me.

I enrolled in the McGuire Programme, and that was massive. Their big thing is assertive self-acceptance, which is a key message to get across. Stammering is a part of who you are, so to accept that is huge. Acceptance, and understanding of others is also important – you shouldn’t think less of others because they stammer, or look down at them. Learning to accept both yourself and those around you is key.

Part of the reason I enrolled in 2010 was that I didn’t want my stammer to hold me back. I felt like I could be a captain, and I could do x,y and z, so that’s why I decided to do something about it.

I worked incredibly hard on it, and I continue to do so. I work on my speech every day and challenge myself, because I know that when I do that I’m in control of my stammer instead of my stammer controlling me.

The rugby family has been brilliant.

Stammering has never been an issue for me throughout my life in rugby, apart from one time. I was waiting to call the coin toss with Nigel Owens when I captained Scotland against France in 2013, and [France captain] Thierry Dusautoir flipped the coin. I started trying to say ‘heads’ but had a block, and the coin bounced – I think it’s the only time in Six Nations history they’ve had to do the coin toss twice! I said the same the second time, and guess what? It was tails…

It felt like the right time to become a patron for Stamma. I felt like I owe it to myself and to everyone that has ever helped me and been supportive of me to speak out about it, because it’s something I’m hugely passionate about. Whilst I’ve been fortunate enough to never have been bullied because of my stammer, there are a lot of people who do. A lot of stammerers hide away because of the adverse reaction they receive from other people. It’s twofold, really – it’s about trying to raise awareness so other people understand what’s going on, as well as encouraging those who have a stammer to accept and embrace that as a part of themselves.

You should never let it hold you back, because only you are responsible for your own destiny.

- Kelly Brown

“

guinness pro14 round 3 friday 23 october 2020, Stadio comunale di monigo, treviso

Scarlets dig deep to claim victory in Italy S

carlets had to dig deep in difficult conditions to claim a 10-3 victory over Benetton, their first win of the 2020-21 Guinness PRO14 campaign.

The history books won’t look at this errorstrewn contest as a classic, far from it, but the result was a crucial one to get the Scarlets’ campaign up and running.

Greasy conditions meant it was never going to be a night for free-flowing rugby with the game developing into a kicking battle between both sides.

With their scrum in the ascendancy, the Scarlets pack produced an abrasive display up front, but the game struggled for continuity with both sides guilty of coughing up possession.

The second period followed a similar pattern.

Keatley hit the upright with another penalty attempt before opposite number Angus O’Brien levelled the scores on the hour mark.

And it was the men from West Wales who came out on top, creating the only try of the match, a fine second-half effort for replacement Paul Asquith.

Dane Blacker came close to a score after fine work from Blade Thomson and Steff Evans, but the whitewash was finally crossed 12 minutes from the end.

After replacement lock Morgan Jones was red carded for a high tackle seven minutes from time, Scarlets had to withstand a final onslaught from the hosts, but some outstanding defence saw them hold out to claim the spoils.

Man of the match O’Brien hacked upfield and won the race to the ball and when possession was recycled across field, replacement Asquith took an inside pass from Tyler Morgan to race over.

The Scarlets, without 11 players on Wales duty, started brightly enough and could have opened the scoring inside the opening minutes, but Liam Williams making his first appearance since resigning from Saracens - wasn’t able to hold onto the pass.

Benetton grew into the contest as the half wore on and it was former Munster fly-half Ian Keatley broke the deadlock with a penalty on 20 minutes.

O’Brien’s conversion extended the lead to 10-3, then came the late drama.

Will Benetton throwing everything in desperate search of a game-equalling score, Jones - on his PRO14 debut - was dismissed for a dangerous tackle by referee Andrew Brace.

However, in the dying minutes the visitors managed to repel any further threat and were able to kick the ball dead to secure a first win of the campaign.

3

10 TRIES P. Asquith 68’

penalties/cons Keatley 20’

O’Brien 60’, 70’

L. Sperandio

15

L. Williams

I. Ratuva

14

T. Rogers

J. Ignacio Brex

13

T. Morgan

T. Benvenuti

12

S. Hughes

M. Ioane

11

S. Evans

I. Keatley

10

A. O’brien

D. Duvenage

09

D. Blacker

N. Quaglio

1

P. Price

E. Faiva

2

M. Jones

F. Alongi

3

J. Sebastian

I. Herbst

4

T. Ratuva

E. Snyman

5

S. Kalamafoni

F. Ruzza

6

B. Thomson

A. Sgarbi

7

J. Morgam

T. Halafihi

8

U. Cassiem

The eyes of the rugby world on the Parc I

t’s certainly been a match week with a difference at the Parc. The millions who tuned in yesterday to watch Wales’s rescheduled Guinness 6 Nations date with Scotland would have seen the stadium decked out like never before, the culmination of weeks of hard work behind the scenes.

The transformation has been remarkable.

Previous advertising boards and banners have been replaced by those associated with the national team and then changed back again to the Scarlets commercial partners for this evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Edinburgh.

Huge branded seat coverings have also been installed across the stands, which include those for new kit partner Macron, the Welsh Dragon and a special thank to the NHS and key workers.

A new purpose-built television studio was put together in the South Stand for BBC Network’s broadcast, while Amazon will be building another in the corner of the West Stand ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup opener against Georgia later this month.

With no spectators allowed to attend because of ongoing Covid restrictions, the disabled viewing area in the now Zipworld Stand has become a media area and temporary benches fitted in the South Stand.

As well as 25 camera positions, four cranes were brought in at each corner outside of the stadium to allow the set-up of the overhead ‘spider cam’.

The stadium has also undergone an intensive deep clean to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance, with stringent Covid-19 protocols in place.

“It’s been an incredible effort by everyone involved and I’d like to thank all the staff at Parc y Scarlets and the Welsh Rugby Union for the work they have put in to make this happen,” said stadium manager Dave Healey.

“We have hosted international sport and big events over the years, but this is by far the largest logistical operation that has taken place at the stadium; albeit without supporters.

“The eyes of the rugby world will be on the stadium over the next six weeks and it is a proud moment for us all here at Parc y Scarlets to have been able to

make this happen in conjunction with WRU.” It was announced this week that all four of Wales’ home games this autumn will be played in Llanelli.

Contingency plans had been in place to play matches at a London venue in order to maximise potential revenue from attendances, with Principality Stadium ruled out due to ongoing commitments to the Dragon’s Heart hospital.

But, as the prospects of crowds imminently returning to live sport further diminish, the WRU has now confirmed the rest of Wales’ home international matches this year will be played in West Wales.

All of Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup matches will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video and, in the Welsh language on S4C. After Wales host Georgia on November 21, the muchanticipated clash against England will now take place in Llanelli on November 28, followed by the tournament’s play-off final – with opposition yet to be determined – on Saturday, December 5.

WALES AUTUMN NATIONS CUP FIXTURES Ireland v Wales, Friday November 13th, KO 19.00, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Autumn Nations Cup) Channel 4/Amazon Prime Video/S4C Wales v Georgia, Saturday November 21st, KO 17.15, Parc y Scarlets (Autumn Nations Cup) Amazon Prime Video/S4C Wales v England, Saturday November 28th, KO 16.00, Parc y Scarlets (Autumn Nations Cup) Amazon Prime Video/S4C Wales v TBC (Saturday December 5th, KO 16.45, Parc y Scarlets (Autumn Nations Cup Play-Off Final), Amazon Prime Video/S4C

FRIENDLY match 16th OCTOBER 2020, RODNEY PARADE

Scarlets run in five tries to see off Dragons S

carlets produced a five-try display to see off a gutsy young Dragons side in an entertaining friendly at Rodney Parade.

The West Walians had too much firepower for the hosts, particularly up front, dominating the match from the word go.

Short-range tries from front-rowers Javan Sebastian and Marc Jones, coupled with seven points from the boot of Angus O’Brien saw the visitors lead 15-0 at the interval.

Then it was the turn of the replacement half-backs to take centre stage with scrumhalf Will Homer (twice) and fly-half Sam Costelow crossing in the second period.

Early pressure almost led to Rob Evans getting himself a comeback try, but the Wales international - in his first match since recovering from neck surgery - spilled the ball as he dived over.

Player of the match O’Brien opened the scoring with a penalty before tighthead prop Sebastian plunged over the whitewash on 17 minutes.

Scarlets continued to put some slick phases together, but too often the final pass went astray.

They did manage a second try on the stroke of half-time and it came via the route one approach again, experienced hooker Jones, this time getting himself on the scoresheet.

With plenty of changes to personnel being made after the break, the game opened up and that suited the Scarlets.

After a Will Reed penalty had put the Dragons on the board, the lively Homer sniped blind for his first try in Scarlets colours, then Costelow spotted a gap and darted over to open his try account for his new side.

Homer quickly added another, picking the ball off his boot laces and racing clear from 60 metres out as the Scarlets extended their advantage.

But it was the Dragons who had the final say when wing Jared Rosser won the race to the touchdown after the referee had adjudged the ball had been ripped free by the Scarlets in midfield.

10

36 TRIES

J. Rosser

J. Sebastian, M. Jones, W. Homer (2), S. Costelow.

penalties/cons W. Reed

A. O’Brien (2), Costelow (2). Pen: O’Brien.

D. Howells

15

T. Prydie

O. Jenkins

14

R. Conbeer

J. Thomas

13

T. Morgan

A. Owen

12

P. Asquith

J. Rosser

11

A. Brew

J. Lewis

10

A. O’brien

L. Baldwin

09

D. Blacker

C. Maguire

1

R. Evans

E. Shipp

2

M. Jones

L. Fairbrother

3

J. Sebastian

B. Carter

4

T. Ratuva

J. Maksymiq

5

M. Jones

H. Taylor

6

E. Kennedy

B. Fry

7

J. Morgan

T. Basham

8

U. Cassiem

N U M

b y

50 100 appearances made by prop Phil Price following last weekend’s win in Treviso

O N E H U N D R E D

F I F T Y

percentage of scrums won by the Scarlets in the opening three rounds

T H I R T Y O N E

31

number of Scarlets currently in Wales’ squad for the autumn Tests

carries made by Sione Kalamafoni, the second highest in the competition

12

T W E L V E

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HERE’S TO THE NEXT ROUND

COMMERCIAL NEWS

Scarlets announce three-year partnership with OPRO mouthguards

S

carlets are delighted to continue their partnership with world-renowned mouthguard supplier OPRO. OPRO, who have been long-standing partners of the Scarlets, will supply the senior, women’s and academy squad with their, best in class, custom-fit mouthguards as part of a new three-year agreement.

OPRO are dedicated to bringing leading technology and safety to athletes at all levels and are the official mouthguard partner of more than 85 teams and associations, including Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby and four Guinness PRO14 teams.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of the most technically advanced mouthguards, OPRO have twice received the Queen’s Award for Innovation, in recognition of their ground-breaking work in improving children’s and athletes’ protection.

“OPRO’s products are tried and tested at the highest level of the game and we look forward to growing our relationship with the team over the coming years.”

Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with OPRO, not just for the senior squad, but also the women’s team and our next generation of players in the Academy.

OPRO Sports Marketing Director, Daniel Lovat, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to have renewed our partnership with the Scarlets. Having the highest quality mouthguard is essential to protecting players’ teeth during contact in training and matches.

We really look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship, supporting the Men’s, Women’s and Academy squads over the coming seasons.”

For more information visit www.opromouthguards.com

EDINBURGH RUGBY

TODAY’S OPPOSITION T

urn the clock back to the start of September and Edinburgh wore the look of genuine title contenders with a European quarter-final also on the horizon.

Yet, three rounds into the new campaign, Richard Cockerill’s men are still waiting for their first win.

Last Sunday’s 37-26 defeat to Connacht at BT Murrayfield was the sixth loss on the bounce for the Scots.

Last season ended with an 1872 Cup defeat to Glasgow; the heartbreaking late semi-final loss to Ulster and a Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Bordeaux, while 2020-21 has seen Edinburgh upset on home soil by the Ospreys in round one, edged out at the death by Munster in Limerick, before a free-running Connacht snatched the spoils.

Like the Scarlets, today’s visitors have been hit hard by international calls, including that of the 2019-20 Guinness PRO14 player of the season, wing Duhan van der Merwe (pictured). A regular thorn in the side of the Scarlets in recent seasons, he crossed on his Test debut in the thumping win over Georgia last weekend.

Among the other key absentees are skipper Stuart McInally, wing Darcy Graham, back-rowers Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie and the injured Viliame Mata, but the Scots will still travel to West Wales with plenty of quality, particularly up front in the form of front-rowers Pierre Scheoman and WP Nel. They will also take confidence from their recent record against the Scarlets — they have won the last five meetings between the sides, including a 14-9 triumph in the midst of Storm Dennis in February.

HEAD TO HEAD MEETINGS

43

SCARLETS WINS

18

MUNSTER WINS

24

DRAWS

1

PREVIOUS MATCHES

SCARLETS EDINBURGH

9 14

Feb 15, 2020 - (PARC Y SCARLETS)

EDINBURGH SCARLETS

46 7

OCTOBER 26, 2019 - (BT MURRAYFIELD)

EDINBURGH rugby

MAGNUS

bRADBURY

AGE

25

E roni

S AU

AGE

30

Position: Back row

Position: WING

TEST CAPS: 14 (SCOTLAND)

TEST CAPS: 4 (FIJI)

PRO14 appearances: 59

PRO14 appearances: 11

PRO14 TRIES: 10

PRO14 TRIES: 3

Strengths: A strong, abrasive ball-carrier who has been in and around the Scotland squad in recent years.

Strengths: Nicknamed “The Sledeghammer” the former Fijian sevens star caused plenty of damage against the Scarlets at Murrayfield last season.

PIERRE

Schoeman

AGE

26

MICHAEL

Willemse

AGE

27

Position: PROP

Position: HOOKER

TEST CAPS: N/A

TEST CAPS: N/A

PRO14 appearances: 36

PRO14 appearances: 48

PRO14 TRIES: 3

PRO14 TRIES: 12

Strengths: “The Greatest Schoeman” has been a huge hit up north. The South African carries, scrummages and tackles with power.

Strengths: The former Southern Kings captain stood out in a struggling South African side. Crossed for two tries against Connacht last weekend.

NEW SPONSOR

Getting to know our commercial partners

Company name Zip World www.zipworld.co.uk Where are you based?

We have three sites across North Wales (Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws Y Coed) and South Wales coming soon to the Tower Colliery site just near Hirwaun. Our head office is in the Kingdom of Llanrwst.

Tell us a bit about the business?

The business was established in 2013 and started with a vision to create an adventure tourism destination in Wales. We now have around 400 employees in high season which will be increasing next year with Zip World Tower. We have a lot of varied roles from IT, marketing, social media, construction, maintenance, finance, procurement and adventure instructors.

Our first adventure was a zip wire at Penrhyn Quarry which has since evolved to Velocity 2 the world’s fastest zip line designed to feel like the freedom of flight. From that we grew to underground and tree top adventures suitable for all ages all set in the beautiful Welsh landscape. We can’t wait for our South Wales adventure where we plan to do what we’ve done for Welsh Slate to Welsh Coal.

What attracted you to become a Scarlets commercial partner?

As president of Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy, Scarlets has always been our region of choice, with its strong Welsh language connection and ties to North Wales.

I’m personally excited with Sean Fitzpatrick’s vision for the club and to see the team becoming an even bigger name in European and world rugby. It’s great to see so many of the current squad get the call for the autumn internationals. Welsh rugby has a bright future.

Favourite Scarlets moments?

Has to be beating Munster in such emphatic fashion in Dublin to be crowned champions in 2016-2017.

That’s a tough ground to play in and the team dominated the game.

Favourite Scarlets player?

Has to be my mate Scott Quinnell He is part of the club’s DNA and a passionate Welsh man.

Also, I can beat him at pool quite convincingly, which resulted in him throwing me in the pool on holiday in Spain.

What are you looking forward to this season?

Like all the Scarlets fans I’m hoping we can visit soon and get back to watching live sport from the terraces. It would be fantastic to be a part of the crowd and see the stadium. I’m excited to see the upand-coming academy talent who will get a great few chances to play in the first team following the recent Welsh call-ups for so many of the Scarlets squad. It’s a great opportunity for the emerging talent.

I’m also looking forward to seeing Parc y Scarlets host the autumn internationals.

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Ysgoloriaethau a Bwrsariaethau

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Scholarships and Bursaries

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SCARLETS PLAYER

sponsor opportunities

E

ver considered sponsoring the likes of Josh Macleod, Sam Lousi, Blade Thomson or one of our bright young talents?

The Scarlets are offering a fantastic opportunity to associate your business with some of the best talent in Welsh rugby.

We have a headline-grabbing group of players available to sponsor for this new season. You can choose from established internationals, overseas stars or the next big thing in a Scarlets shirt!

To find out more about how we can increase the exposure of your business, get in touch with us on commercial@scarlets.wales or give us a call on 01554 783944

Sponsorship packages include these benefits: • An introduction to the sponsored player and an appearance for promotional use by the business* • A framed jersey, signed by the playing squad • Business logo to feature alongside sponsored player on the website • Business logo to feature alongside sponsored player in the programme • Business logo to feature alongside the sponsored player in social media GIFs each time the sponsored player scores • Stadium announcement each time sponsored player scores • Invitation to end of season event alongside other player sponsors* *When Covid restrictions allow

These clubs have chosen Macron

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2020-21 EUROPEAN

CHAMPIONS CUP DRAW

S

carlets will face familiar foes RC Toulon and old rivals Bath in the pool stages of the 202021 Heineken Champions Cup.

The new format of the Champions Cup has seen the Scarlets drawn in Pool A as one of 12 sides. The top four at the end of the pool stages will progress to the quarter-finals.

This will be the fifth time in seven seasons that the Scarlets and Toulon have locked horns, most recently in the 2020-21 quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup, which the French side edged 11-6.

You don’t have to turn the clock back far for the most recent encounters with Bath - the 2017-18 season when Bath won in Llanelli before the Scarlets produced a memorable display at The Rec on their way to the semi-finals.

“It’s almost like groundhog day, we know these guys really well, we have played a lot of European rugby against them and just had a quarter final against them.

T they are a wonderful adversary and I think both clubs enjoy playing against each other. You have two really passionate sets of supporters as well, it is exciting.”

2020-21 season weekends Round 1 – 11/12/13 December 2020 Round 2 – 18/19/20 December 2020 Round 3 – 15/16/17 January 2021 Round 4 – 22/23/24 January 2021 Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, 1 st leg – 2/3/4 April 2021 Challenge Cup Round of 16 – 2/3/4 April 2021 Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, 2nd leg – 9/10/11 April 2021 Challenge Cup quarter-finals – 9/10/11 April 2021 Semi-finals – 30 April – 1/2 May 2021 2021 finals – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Challenge Cup final – Friday 21 May Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 22 May

On the challenge of Bath, Gallagher Premiership semifinalists last season, Delaney added: “They are a team building with a new coaching group, guys I know really well. They are a set-piece orientated team, who like to get their scrum and power going. Those foundations are well set from them and the Rec is one of the greatest grounds to go in the competition. We look forward to seeing them and be quietly excited about the fact that we know them and can get on with the job.”

SCARLETS LADIES UPDATE

Daryl Morgan - Scarlets Ladies head coach A

s with most rugby in these Covid times, the Scarlets Ladies regional programme has been in a prolonged state of limbo.

As it stands, we’re not sure when we’ll resume training and playing, but everything is in place ready to go the minute we have the go ahead.

Prior to the initial lockdown the Scarlets were in advanced planning on the creation of a regional development programme for girls looking to play regional rugby and senior players who needed additional training to make the next step forward.

The objective of the programme is to bridge the development gap between girls’ cluster centres, schools, colleges, and the regional setup. The long-term objective is to provide a clear development pathway for girls in and around the Scarlets region to produce the next generation of Scarlets and Welsh international players. The planning has obviously been affected by the circumstances we all find ourselves in, but myself and other key members within Scarlets regional rugby are very keen to get back to setting up what would be a positive step forward for the future of the Scarlets.

On the senior side of things, the news that the players will have the continued support of OPRO Mouthguards as part of their sponsorship agreement with the region is fantastic news and shows how important the ladies’ squad are.

Again, a number of players have been selected for Wales, although it is unfortunate that today’s

rescheduled match against Scotland has had to be postponed once again because of Covid.

In order to gain the game time that they need to fully prepare for the demands of international rugby, several of our players — Alisha Butchers, Jasmine Joyce and Hannah Jones, amongst many others — have taken up opportunities to play in the English Allianz Premiership. It’s fantastic seeing all our players putting in some outstanding performances in such a strong league.

“Lots of us are now playing in the English Allianz Premiership so have had the opportunity to get some game time behind us. I am currently playing for Bristol women’s team and have really enjoyed my time at the club so far.

“Due to Covid, I am unsure when the regional programme will continue but always love playing for the Scarlets. I have grown up supporting and playing for the Scarlets and can’t wait to get the chance to play once again.”

Alisha Butchers

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CODI LAIS Beth am ei hoff atgof ar hyd y blynyddoedd?

Cwestiwn anodd?

Cwestiwn anodd tu hwnt – mae nifer o uchafbwyntiau wedi bod ar hyd y blynyddoedd.

Dwi’n credu mai’r un mwyaf diweddar yw ennill y Pro-12 yn Iwerddon. Roeddwn yn eistedd yng nghanol cefnogwyr Munster. Rwy’n cofio’n glir taw dim ond fi a’m ffrind oedd yn gwenu ar ddiwedd y gêm!

A beth am hoff chwaraewr Dylan?

D

ylan Davies o Bencader sy’n codi ei lais yr wythnos hon wrth i’r Cochion wynebu Caeredin. A pheth da fod ganddo lais ar ôl cael ‘strained vocal cords’ am bythefnos cyfan ar ôl gwylio gem Scarlets v Gweilch un tro! Yn yr ysgol ddechreuodd ei gariad at y Scarlets...

Rwyf wedi cefnogi’r Scarlets ers i mi gwblhau gwaith ymchwil ar y Scarlets yn yr ysgol gynradd. Rwyf yn cofio dirprwy bennaeth yn cyflwyno’r gêm rygbi i ni ac am ryw rheswm, fe wnes i gwmpo mewn cariad a’r gêm. Wrth ymweld â theulu sydd yn byw yn Llanelli, roeddwn yn aml yn gweld Parc y Strade wrth basio heibio’r stadiwm. Ar ôl pasio’r prawf gyrru, peth cyntaf nes i brynu oedd tocyn i barc y Strade!

Fy hoff chwaraewyr o’r gorffennol yw Stephen Jones a Garan Evans - am eu Cymreictod, ac am eu bod yn gwisgo’u calonnau ar eu crysau.

Hefyd, bu Stephen Jones yn help enfawr yn ystod y project rygbi. A’r rhai presennol... cwestiwn anodd! Rhwng Rhys Patchell, Leigh Halfpenny a Keiran Hardy - eto am fod y tri yn chwarae gydag angerdd a wastad ag amser i’r cefnogwyr.

A gyda Dylan fel arfer yn teithio o Bencader i Lanelli ar gyfer bob gêm, mae’r cyfnod clo wedi bod yn heriol...

Rwyf wedi bod yn dal tocyn tymor ers sawl blwyddyn bellach, ac wedi eistedd yn yr un man ers sawl blwyddyn. Dros y cyfnod clo dwi’n gweld eisiau’r teulu estynedig sydd o gwmpas y sedd.

Dwi’n teimlo braidd ar goll heb fy ‘ail gartref.’

Ond rhaid edrych tua’r dyfodol...

Dim ond tyfu wnaeth cariad Dylan at y Scarlets ers prynu’r tocyn hwnnw...

Yr atgof cyntaf o’r Scarlets yw’r gêm a chwaraewyd ar Barc y Strade amser Eisteddfod Llanelli yn 2000. Hefyd, cael y cyfle i gwrdd â Stephen Jones a chael llofnod ar y maes.

‘Dw i’n methu aros i weld y chwaraewyr eto, mwynhau gêm o rygbi gyda ffrindiau, a siarad gyda’r ‘teulu estynedig’ o gwmpas y stadiwm.

Y Scarlets mewn tri gair?

Calon, Cymreictod, Enaid.

Scarlets 15 Edinburgh 13 (Heineken Cup, Oct 2005, Stradey Park)

FROM THE VAULT D

afydd Jones saved the Scarlets’ Heineken Cup campaign with a try deep into injury time to snatch victory.

Flanker Jones, playing his first game for nearly two months, levelled the score when he dived over and Gareth Bowen’s conversion clinched the points.

Edinburgh scored first through a Scott Murray converted try, but Alix Popham replied for a 5-7 half-time scoreline.

Two Chris Paterson penalties took the Scots clear, but a late Bowen penalty and Jones’ try completed the comeback.

Replacement Jones emerged triumphantly from under a pile of bodies after a forward drive from a line-out nine minutes into injury time.

And Bowen held his nerve to convert just to the right of the posts.

Edinburgh’s opening try came in similar fashion after 17 minutes when Murray touched down in the corner.

With their line-out game all at sea, the Scarlets were on the back foot for long periods of the first half, but somehow they managed to hold out and Popham got them on the board in firsthalf stoppage time.

Full-back Lee Byrne set up the Wales number eight after Regan King had capitalised on spilled Edinburgh possession.

With the weather deteriorating, it was Edinburgh’s turn to roll up their sleeves as the home side piled on the pressure after the break.

They did just that and on 58 minutes Paterson landed a penalty from 30 metres to extend the lead to 10-5.

A 78th-minute penalty by Paterson looked to have clinched a second Pool Six win for the Scots, but the Scarlets forced a series of late penalties and made the visitors pay.

Scarlets coach Nigel Davies: “We made it very difficult for ourselves, we knew it would be a tough challenge anyway against an Edinburgh side with a very good line-out, but our line-out didn’t function yet again. “Some might say we were lucky, but we dug in there and kept in there until the end.

“We are not going to beat the best sides in Europe playing like that but we were very committed and kept our composure which we weren’t doing this time last year.

“We have now got a lot of work to do on our game over the next month ahead of what is going to be a huge December.”

Edinburgh coach Todd Blackadder: “It is bitterly disappointing for us, but Stradey is a hard place to come and we showed a lot of resolve out there. “I was very proud of our players, particularly for the way they played in that second half when Llanelli came out fighting. I was just disappointed we couldn’t finish it off.“We blew opportunities in the first half and didn’t maximise the pressure we exerted.

“This pool was always going to be an uphill task but we came away with a bonus and it could be crucial in the final stages.”

TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE

WHILE WE REMEMBER JJ W

elsh rugby lost one of the icons of the game this week with the passing of former Scarlets, Wales and British & Irish Lions wing JJ Williams at the age of 72. A fleet-footed speedster, JJ was synonymous with Welsh rugby’s golden generation of the seventies, playing his part in an era that saw the country win four Five Nations titles, including two Grand Slams.

JJ played 223 games for Llanelli RFC over nine seasons at Stradey Park, scoring an incredible 165 tries and was a member of the side that toppled the All Blacks on that memorable October day in 1972.

He played in four WRU Challenge Cup winning sides, won the Merit Table three times and the Floodlit Alliance twice. A sevens specialist, he also helped Llanelli win the Snelling Sevens title twice.

Scarlets president Phil Bennett was a former team-mate for Llanelli, Wales and the Lions. He said: “It has been an emotional few days and the amount of messages I have received from old Lions teams-mates like Fran Cotton, WillieJohn McBride shows how highly JJ was held.

“I played against JJ in school so we go back a long way and I remember when Carwyn James told me he had signed JJ for Llanelli, he was so excited about what he could bring to the side and JJ really bought into the Llanelli way, summed up after we beat the All Blacks in 72, the emotion was there for all to see.

“He was one of the great wingers; give him the outside and he was away and he flourished on the hard grounds of South Africa for the Lions in 74.”

“He perfected that chip and gather and perhaps people don’t realise how much work he did off the ball, chasing kicks downfield.”

Born in Nantyffyllon, he played outside half for the Welsh Schools team before graduating into senior rugby with Bridgend. He then moved to Llanelli and in his first season at Stradey Park helped his new club to beat New Zealand 9-3, a day that has been etched into the town’s folklore. Today marks the 48th anniversary of that match.

In what was then the Five Nations, JJ played throughout two Grand Slam and four successive Triple Crown campaigns.

He won 30 caps for Wales between 1973-79, scoring 12 tries, and played in seven Tests for the British & Irish Lions on tours to South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand in 1977. He equalled the record of five Test tries in those matches, winning four and drawing another of them.

As part of what is widely recognised as the greatest Lions team of all-time in 1974 he scored two tries in two Tests against the Springboks. Overall on that tour he scored 12 tries in 12 matches, including a record equalling six against South West Districts in a 97-0 victory.

His overall record for the Lions was 22 tries in 26 games, which puts him equal third on the all-time list. He also played 10 times for the Barbarians. Speed was one of his greatest assets and that came from his background as a Welsh international athlete. While a student at Cardiff College of Education, he went to the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh with the Welsh team.

He also represented Great Britain at the World Student Games in Turin in 1970 and was one of many outstanding sprinters in Wales at the time, regularly competing against, and beating, Olympians Ron Jones and Lynn Davies.

A former PE teacher, he became a self-made millionaire through his industrial painting business and was awarded an MBE. He was also added to the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame ‘Roll of Honour’ in 2009.

His love of athletics was passed on to his three children, Kathryn, James and Rhys. Kathryn became a Welsh international and British junior 400 hurdler, while James ran for Wales in the middle distance and captained Cardiff AAC. Rhys became a European junior and senior 400 hurdles champion, won a Commonwealth Games silver medal and also represented Team GB at the Olympics and World Championships.

The Scarlets would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family, many friends and former team-mates of JJ Williams.

“I am sure he helped inspire many great Welsh wings who came after him, the likes of Ieuan Evans, Shane Williams. He was a great man and an outstanding rugby player for Llanelli, Wales and the Lions.”

OWAIN BADGER

THOUGHTS FROM THE HALFWAY P

andemic? What pandemic?

Thousands of supporters were expected to turn up for the Scarlets first home game of the season and no one seemed to care about the virus.

No, I am not living in a parallel universe or have gone stir crazy because of the latest lockdown.

This is what happened during the last major pandemic, the Spanish Flu. It started in 1918 at the end of the First World War and continued through 1919. Tens of millions of people died throughout the world and it’s estimated up to 11,000 in Wales.

Today the Scarlets play a crucial game against Edinburgh, but yet again the stadium will be empty except for a few officials, coaches and TV crew. Faithful supporters are not allowed because of coronavirus regulations.

It was all so different in the 1918-19 season. It was the first time for the Scarlets to play for four years because of the First World War. The Spanish Flu was a deadly virus and quickly spread all over the world.

The first wave hit Wales in the Autumn of 1918.

Although industrial South Wales saw the most deaths, flu also hit rural areas.There were some restrictions as some schools, cinemas and theatres were closed and the health authorities warned against large gatherings, particularly indoors.

But supporters were not banned from attending sports events.

This suited the Scarlets as they started the season one thousand pounds in debt and had to raise some money.

As the war didn’t end until November 1918 the first game of the season wasn’t until January 25, 1919 against the New Zealand Army. There was an enthusiastic crowd and the Scarlets won 3-0.

The only try was scored by Rev.W.T.Havard, one of the few clergymen to play for the Scarlets.

Three weeks later 7,000 supporters packed into the ground to see a famous win against the New Zealand Maoris.

Some fans climbed nearby trees to watch the game. There was more as the team got stronger with players returning from war service. Enter centre Albert Jenkins who had been serving with the 38th Division. He made an immediate impact and was soon a firm favourite with the Scarlet fans. In late February and March there was a second spike of the flu virus in Wales.

But this did not deter the supporters. Up to 10,000 turned up for home games.The flu did not stop them.

But throughout the season people were dying.

Figures are sketchy as the pandemic was not well reported at the time. We do know that by January 1919 there had been 349 deaths in Carmarthenshire which probably included scores in Llanelli. There were more during the second spike.By the end of the season the pandemic was showing signs of weakening. As for the Scarlets, their style of open rugby spearheaded by Albert had attracted such big crowds that the club could wipe out the debt. It also signalled a golden era for the club which lasted most of the 1920s.

So when we sit in front of the television watching today’s Scarlets play in an empty stadium let’s rekindle the spirit of the team and supporters during that last pandemic.

Let’s also hope that fans will be allowed back soon so we can put money into the club’s coffers as they did a hundred years ago.

UPDATE FROM

CRYS 16 I

t has been a busy few months for CRYS16 despite the current pandemic.

Nigel Short joined us for our first AGM via Zoom in July, along with over 100 members. Behind the scenes, we have a change of personnel with new officers and board members following the results of only our second ever board member vote. Our monthly board meetings continue along with regular meetings with the Scarlets to discuss a variety of topics.

We also hosted an interesting Zoom meeting with the WRU as part of our involvement with JSG Cymru, along with representatives from the other four regions.

We are currently in the process of working on our website with the first new feature being a blog. Our first blog from CRYS16`s representative on the Scarlets board has proved very popular.

Sadly, given current circumstances we have been unable to host our usual evenings in the Quinnell Lounge. However, our first Zoom event - An Evening with Scarlets` new Executive Chair Simon Muderack and new board member, Sean Fitzpatrick was very entertaining and informative and offered members a real insight into the future vision for the club.

In October, we were fortunate to hold our Meet the Coaches event, also via Zoom, with Glenn Delaney, Richard Whiffin, Richard Kelly and Dai Flanagan joining us to answer supporters` questions and engage in an open and honest discussion about their roles.

Finally, we were thrilled to host our first Scarlets Legends evening with Rupert Moon and Phil Davies joining us, again on Zoom, for a very entertaining evening of reminiscing fond memories from our history.

We are very grateful to them all for giving up their time so we can continue to host events for members and also to our sponsors for their financial support. Keep an eye out for our next event that will be announced shortly.

We are also delighted that the Stradey gates are now nearing completion. The gates and posts have been galvanised and should be back in Parc y Scarlets by the time crowds are hopefully allowed back!

For more information about joining CRYS16 or sponsoring a future event, please contact crys16.cymru

Scarlets announce new kit partnerships

Scarlets count on LHP with new commercial partnership

Pictured with Scarlets players Samson Lee and Blade Thomson are LHP Directors Matthew Williams and Dafydd Rees

S

carlets are delighted to announce that Dublin-based e-learning company Interskill learning and Aberystwyth University have become partners on the 2020-21 playing kit.

my friends now live away it fills me with a sense of pride that we can still come together during the year to support the Scarlets and remember who we are and where we came from! Yma o Hyd.”

Scarlets are delighted to announce that Dublinbased e-learning company Interskill learning and Aberystwyth University have become partners on the 2020-21 playing kit.

Aberystwyth University, voted The Times & Sunday Times Welsh University of the Year for 2019, continue their partnership with the Scarlets and will also be a player sponsor of Wales prop Wyn Jones

The logo of both will take pride of place on the playing shorts and will be on show fin this evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Edinburgh. Established in 1991, Interskill is the worldwide leader in the provision of technology-based training solutions for the IBM Mainframe Computing industry.

Chief Executive Ian Rowlands, who hails from Llanelli, said: “As a lifelong Scarlets supporter it is a delight and privilege for my company to become a kit sponsor of the Scarlets team and I wish the very best of luck to the Scarlets for the season ahead.

“Our e-learning business like many other businesses operate in an increasingly globalised business community and though I and many of

Scarlets have also teamed up with LHP Chartered Accountants. With offices in Carmarthen, Lampeter and Haverfordwest, LHP have been working with the business community at the heart of the Scarlets region for more than 80 years.

LHP managing director Matthew Williams said: “As a proud west Wales firm of accountants and business advisors, LHP are delighted and honoured to be forming a partnership with the world renowned Scarlets Rugby to look after their accounts and audit function for the coming season. LHP strives to help businesses in the local community, especially during these difficult times and we are looking forward to a great season on and off the pitch. Pob Lwc y Scarlets”.

Scarlets announce exciting new partnerships

Clarity Sports in new travel partnership

C

larity Sports, and their consumer travel provider, Sportsbreaks.com, has announced an exciting partnership with Welsh rugby giants Scarlets.

The agreement, which will run for three years from the beginning of the 2020-21 season, will see Clarity serve as Scarlets’ official travel partner, providing team and business travel, with Sportsbreaks.com providing supporter travel for a selection of Guinness Pro14 and European away matches.

Having already secured partnerships with Scottish Rugby Union, Leicester Tigers, and Edinburgh Rugby, Clarity Sports and Sportsbreaks.com are a trusted name for rugby union fans, providing unforgettable sporting experiences.

Rob Slawson, head of sport at Clarity, commented: “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with one of the biggest names in European rugby union. It is always a privilege when a club trusts you to facilitate their team travel and we hope our best in-class support can help them over the coming seasons.

“As well as facilitating the team travel, our supporter travel offering, provided through our consumer travel provider sportsbreaks.com, will give Scarlets fans the opportunity to follow their side to some of the biggest and best rugby arenas across the UK and Europe, providing them with the best matchday experience possible.”

Scarlets head of commercial James Bibby added: “Playing in the Guinness PRO14 with all its challenges with travel means having a travel partner that is reliable and highly professional is vital to helping us succeed on the pitch. We are delighted to have secured Clarity as our travel partner and look forward to working with them over the coming seasons.”

To find out more about the unforgettable sporting offer available from Sportsbreaks.com, visit: https://www.sportsbreaks.com/

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BEN FRANKS Scrum Coach Hyfforddwr Sgrym SARA DAVIES

JON DANIELS

Forwards coach Hyfforddwr y Blaenwyr

MATTHEW REES Attack coach Hyfforddwr Ymosod

Backs Coach Hyfforddwr y Cefnwyr

Team Manager Rheolwr y Tîm

Rhys Jones - Senior Conditioner / Uwch Gyflyrydd Sam Handy - Assistant Conditioner/ Cyflyrydd Cynorthwyol Ieuan Probert - 1st Team Support Analyst / Dadansoddwr Cefnogol Rowan O’Brien - first team analyst /Dadansoddwr tim gyntaf

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25/01/89 @DylEvans2501 @ddylanevans 184CM 113KG

br

daniel davis

dane blacker 06/07/98 @dane_blacker9 @daneblacker9 171CM 80KG

hk

06/08/00 @domboothh @domboothh 175CM 108KG

04/12/90 N/A @blade_th 198CM 109KG

SH

gareth davies

danny drake

br

17/09/94 @angusob @angusobrien10 181CM 85KG

sh

dylan evans

08/01/96 @hughesy_2 @dafhughess 178CM 102KG

dominic booth

28/09/01 N/A N/A 186CM 125KG

br

Sponsorship Available

hk

dafydd hughes

carwyn tuipulotu

br

angus o’brien

27/04/85 N/A @alexjeffries3 191CM 118KG

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fh

edward kennedy

07/08/87 @aaronshingler N/A 197CM 107KG

PR

alex jeffries

W

ALED BREW

aaron shingler

BR

18/08/90 @Gar_Davies9 @garethdavies90 178CM 88KG

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05/10/99 N/A @iestynrees6 189CM 110KG

lk

jake ball

jac price 08/04/00 @jacpriceyy @jacpricey_ 200CM 114KG

21/06/91 @Jake_Ball4 N/A 197CM 124KG

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10/05/00 @JoeRoberts_13 @joeeroberts13 182CM 92KG

Sponsorship Available

jonathan davies

ctr

05/04/88 @JonFoxDavies @JonFoxDavies 186CM 101KG

PR

KEMSLEY MATHIAS

CTR

JOSPEH ROBERTS

JOSHUA HELPS

18/10/96 @Johnn_Bleddyn @johnnwilliamss 190CM 105KG

BR

27/1096 @JoshMacleod1 @joshmacleod8 189CM 110KG

ctr

johnny williams

johnny mcnicholl 24/09/90 @jmcnicholl @mcnicholl11 185CM 96KG

LK

22/12/94 @JoshuaHelps5 @joshhelps 197CM 116KG

FB

JOSH MACLEOD

27/09/94 @javansebastian @sebastianjavan 177CM 121KG

BR

JOSEPH MILES

21/01/00 @jacmorgs7 @jacmogs7 180CM 102KG

pr

javan sebastain

james davies 25/10/90 @cubbyboi @cubbyboi 183CM 98KG

ALLWEDD / KEY

lk

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br

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br

jac morgan

03/04/98 @iowznicks @ioannicks 185CM 92KG

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17/09/98 N/A @joemiles8 190CM 109KG

ctr

ioan nicholas

iestyn rees

br

29/07/99 N/A @kemsleyy 185CM 118KG

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PR PROP / Y RHENG FLAEN HK HOOKER / BACHWR LK LOCK / YR AIL RENG FL FLANKER / BLAENASGELLWR NO.8 NO.8 / WYTHWR FR FRONT ROW BR BACK ROW SH MEWNWR / SCRUM HALF FH MASWR / FLY HALF WG WING / ASGELLWR CTR CANOLWR / CENTRE FB CEFNWR / FULL BACK

SQUAD / CARFAN 2020-21 TO SPONSOR A PLAYER PLEASE CONTACT - I NODDI CHWARAEWR CYSYLLTWCH Â COMMERCIAL@SCARLETS.WALES

17/05/93 @rhys_patch @patchell10 191CM 92KG

05/02/99 @ryanconbeer11 @ryan_conbeer 178CM 92KG

LEWIS RAWLINS

LIAM WILLIAMS paul asquith

ctr

12/08/93 N/A N/A 182CM 85KG

Andrea Thomas

hk

ryan elias

w

ryan conbeer

fh

rhys patchell

pr

phil price

07/01/00 N/A N/A 189CM 100KG

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FB

09/04/91 @SanjayWills @SanjayWills 188CM 89KG

ctr

osian knott

23/05/99 N/A N/A 200CM 110KG

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10/11/88 @PhilPrice88 @phil_price88 184CM 117KG

13/04/90 @lewis_rawlins @lewisrawlins 198CM 111KG

lk

morgan jones

14/04/92 @Revsprop1 @robevs1 186CM 118KG

LK

07/01/95 @RyanJElias @ryan_elias2 187CM 110KG

lk

sam lousi

03/04/87 @Marc_jones2 @Marc_jones2 185CM 109KG

22/12/88 @LeighHalfpenny1 @LeighHalfpenny 178CM 85KG

pr

rob evans

hk

FB

LEIGH HALFPENNY

30/11/95 @Kieran_Hardy9 @kizhard_ 184CM 92KG

03/01/87 @KenOwens1088 @KenOwens1088 184CM 110KG

marc jones

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KIERAN HARDY

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HK

20/07/91 @samlousi @sam_lousi 198CM 121KG

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10/01/01 @samcostelow2001 @samcostelow10 175CM 85KG

18/05/88 @s_kalamafoni @stia.kalamafoni 196CM 120KG

01/09/94 @steffevs09 @steffevans09 182CM

22/04/97 N/A N/A 183CM 113KG

08/05/95 @TevitaRatuva @texratuva 198CM 120KG

17/12/98 @tomrogers007 @tomrog15 185CM 91KG

23/02/92 @tomprydie @tomprydie 193CM 93KG

13/02/96 @Tomm_phillips @tphill_2 193CM 110KG

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wyn jones

sh

william homer

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br

uzair cassiem

w

tomi leiws

FB

thomas rogers

tOM prydie

w

werner kruger

br

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tyler morgan

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23/01/85 @kruger_werner @wernerkruger3 191CM 125KG

Andrea Thomas

lk

tevita retuva

30/07/95 N/A N/A 185CM 106KG

93KG

17/02/94 @steffhughes @steffhughes 180CM 95KG

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hk

taylor davies

STEFFAN EVANS

STEFFAN thomas

w

ctr

STEFFAN hughes

sione kalamafoni

14/09/96 @ShaunEvans19 @shaunevs7 183CM 101KG

Kevin Roberts

pr

br

thomas phillips

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hk

shaun EVANS

fh

samuel costelow

samson lee

pr

17/03/90 @uzair_cassiem @ucassiem7 189CM 110KG

Date

Co

v

Opponents

Home

Result

Score

T

C

2

2

P

Away D

T

C

P

9

3

3

3

2

1

1

1

1

1

D

Pos

A. SHINGLER A. BREW A. JEFFRIES A. O’BRIEN B. THOMSON C. TUIPULOTU D. HUGHES D. BLACKER D. DAVIS D. JONES D. DRAKE D. BOOTH D. EVANS E. KENNEDY G. DAVIES I. REES

2020-21 FIXTURES & RESULTS OCTOBER 2020 Sat 3

P14

H

Munster

L

27-30

Sun 11

P14

A

Glasgow

L

20-07

Fri 23

P14

A

Benetton

W

03-10

NOVEMBER 2020 Sun 1

P14

H

Edinburgh

Sun 8

P14

H

Zebre

Sat 14

P14

A

Connacht

Sun 22

P14

A

Ulster

Sun 29

P14

H

Leinster

A

Ospreys

DECEMBER 2020 Sat 26

P14

JANUARY 2021 Sat 2

P14

H

Dragons

Sat 9

P14

A

Cardiff Blues

P14

Guinness Pro14

ERCC

European Champions Cup

1

2

27 2

Started match

Used as a replacement 5

2

5

Points scored in match

I. NICHOLAS J. MORGAN J. PRICE J. BALL JAMES DAVIES J. SEBASTAIN J. MCNICHOLL J. WILLIAMS J. DAVIES J. MILES J. HELPS J. MACLEOD J. ROBERTS K. MATHIAS K. OWNES K. HARDY L. HALFPENNY L. RAWLINS L. WILLIAMS M. JONES R. EVANS M. JONES O. KNOTT P. ASQUITH P. PRICE R. PATCHELL R. CONBEER R. ELIAS S. LOUSI S. LEE S. COSTELOW S. EVANS S. KALAMAFONI S. HUGHES S. THOMAS S. EVANS T. DAVIES T. RETUVA T. PHILIPS T. PRYDIE T. ROGERS T. LEWIS T. MORGAN U. CASSIEM W. KRUGER W. HOMER W. JONES

THE TEAMS PARC Y SCARLETS, sUN 1 NOV 2020 KO 6:45PM STARTING XV Johnny McNicholl

T

C

P

D

15

T

C

P

D

Jack Blain

Tyler Morgan

T

C

P

D

14

T

C

P

D

George Taylor

Steff Hughes ©

T

C

P

D

13

T

C

P

D

Mark Bennett

Paul Asquith

T

C

P

D

12

T

C

P

D

Chris Dean

Steff Evans

T

C

P

D

11

T

C

P

D

Jamie Farndale

Angus O’Brien

T

C

P

D

10

T

C

P

D

Jaco van der Walt

Dane Blacker

T

C

P

D

9

T

C

P

D

Henry Pyrgos ©

Phil Price

T

C

P

D

1

T

C

P

D

Pierre Schoeman

Taylor Davies

T

C

P

D

2

T

C

P

D

Mike Willemse

Javan Sebastian

T

C

P

D

3

T

C

P

D

Murray McCallum

Josh Helps

T

C

P

D

4

T

C

P

D

Lewis Carmichael

Morgan Jones

T

C

P

D

5

T

C

P

D

Andrew Davidson

Uzair Cassiem

T

C

P

D

6

T

C

P

D

Magnus Bradbury

Jac Morgan

T

C

P

D

7

T

C

P

D

Ally Miller

Sione Kalamafoni

T

C

P

D

8

T

C

P

D

Nick Haining

Dom Booth

T

C

P

D

16

T

C

P

D

David Cherry

Rob Evans

T

C

P

D

17

T

C

P

D

Jamie Bhatti

Werner Kruger

T

C

P

D

18

T

C

P

D

WP Nel

Jac Price

T

C

P

D

19

T

C

P

D

Andries Ferreira

Ed Kennedy

T

C

P

D

20

T

C

P

D

Connor Boyle

Will Homer

T

C

P

D

21

T

C

P

D

Charlie Shiel

Dan Jones

T

C

P

D

22

T

C

P

D

Nathan Chamberlain

Tom Prydie

T

C

P

D

23

T

C

P

D

James Johnstone

replacements

match officials Referee: CHRIS BUSBY (IRFU) AR1: Nigel Owens (WRU) AR2: RHYS Jones (WRU) TMO: WAYNE DAVIES (WRU)

ALBERT TANNER CEFNogwr

Y GAIR OLAF W

el, smo hi wedi bod yn ddechreuad da iawn i’r naill dîm na’r llall hyd yma y tymor hwn. Wna i ddim eich atgoffa chi o berfformiade’r Scarlets yn y ddwy gêm gyntaf. Gwaeth fyth oedd dechreuad Caeredin. Colli gartre yn weddol hawdd i’r Gweilch o bawb yn y gêm agoriadol, a cholli yn y pum munud olaf bant yn erbyn Munster. Colli eto yn weddol hawdd i Connacht yr wythnos ddiwetha.

Er bod ni wedi câl buddugoliaeth yn erbyn Benetton yr wythnos ddiwetha’ siomedig a dweud y lleia’ oedd y perfformiad.

Jiawch, rhwng galwade gemau rhyngwladol, anafiade a chardie coch mae’n syndod bod ‘da ni 23 o wharaewyr ar gael heno. Falle dylwn i rwto ‘mach o dubbin ar ‘y’n sgitshe rhag ofon!

Cawn weld a fydd gwyr Richard Cockerill yn defnyddio’r dechreuad trychinebus i’r tymor i godi eu gêm yn erbyn y Scarlets heno.

I newid cyfeiriad, erbyn i chi ddarllen yr erthygl hon bydd Parc y Scarlets wedi croesawu rygbi rhyngwladol am y tro cynta yn ei hanes, a’r cyntaf o gyfres o gemau yn ystod yr Hydref. Mae’n od meddwl bod peldroedwyr Cymru wedi cael y fraint o whare yma mewn gemau rhyngwladol cyfeillgar deirgwaith rhwng 2009 a 2012.

Ar y llaw arall, roedd ein hen gartref, Parc y Strade, wedi profi’r wefr o groesawu rygbi rhyngwladol mor bell nôl â 1887. Wel, do a naddo. Roedd Cymru fod i wynebu yn erbyn Lloegr ar Barc y Strade ond gwrthododd yr ymwelwyr whare achos bod y maes

wedi rhewi. Yn y diwedd symudwyd y gêm i’r cae criced drws nesa’. Wi’n teimlo dros y cefnogwyr druan gan fod llawer wedi talu’n ychwanegol er mwyn cael sedd yn yr eisteddle dros dro ond ar ôl symud i’r cae criced roedd honno’n wynebu’r ffordd rong!.

Rhaid oedd iddyn nhw sefyll ar eu traed – a chafon nhw ddim ad-daliad ‘chwaith. Er na sgoriwyd yr un pwynt dywed yr adroddiade ei bod hi’n gêm eitha cyffrous. Anodd credu.

Falle bod gweld yr enwog Arthur ‘Monkey’ Gould yn dringo un o’r pyst i ail osod trawst oedd wedi cwmpo wedi ychwanegu at y cyffro!

Bu dwy gêm yn erbyn yr Iwerddon yn 1891 a 1893. Enillodd Cymru’r ddwy. Credwch neu beidio yn 1891 roedd cefnwr yr Iwerddon yn gwisgo monocle trwy gydol y gêm ar wahân pan oedd e’n taclo pryd bydde fe’n ei roi yn ei shorts. O ystyried pa mor unllygeidiog yw ein cefnogwyr ni i fod mae’n siwr ei fod e’n ffito mewn yn nêt.

Os byth byddwch chi’n cael y cwestiwn cwis ar ba faes rygbi enillodd Cymru’r Goron Driphlyg am y tro cyntaf. Gallwch ateb yn hyderus – 1893 yn erbyn yr Iwerddon ym Mharc y Strade.

Yn llawer mwy diweddar wynebodd Cymru yr Eidal ar Barc y Strade yn 1998, y tro cynta’ iddyn nhw whare yno ers 1893.

Dyma i chi gwestiwn cwis arall – pa gynSgarlet wharaeodd ei gêm olaf i Gymru ar y diwrnod hwnnw (cyn-Sgarlet yw’r cliw)? Fe gewch chi’r ateb yr wythnos nesa.

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