Issuu

v BENETTON 20.02.21 k.o. 15:00

issue / rhifyn 9

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 benetton rugby 20.02.21 KO 15:00

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

Sam Costelow - A chat with Scarlets’ emerging young fly-half

Latest signing news

Special column from our team manager Sara Davies

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

Sione wins January player of month award

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Simon Muderack

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

warm hello to the Scarlets family once again for another vital home match in our Guinness PRO14 campaign.

With only four games remaining in what has been a very different Championship season the battle for a Champions Cup place is going down to the wire, every point is going to count. We are a club who want to be in that top tier European competition, we want to be playing against the best in Europe and we believe we have a squad here that deserves to be mixing it with the top sides. We are still eagerly waiting to hear who our opponent will be when this season’s Champions Cup resumes. Our superb win in Bath set us up strongly for the knockout stages and it is something we are relishing once the PRO14 is wrapped up at the end of March. On the international front, we are hugely proud of how our players have been performing in the opening two rounds of the Six Nations. Wyn has been a revelation in the front row, Ken has been Ken, back to his lofty standards following injury, while it is great to see Gareth and Kieran scrapping it out for the No. 9 jersey. It is also good to see Johnny Williams and Foxy back on the training field this week. We are all desperately disappointed for Josh Macleod, who was so close to that first Test cap, but those who know Josh know that he is the type of person who will come back stronger from this and I am confident we will see him in a Wales jersey when he does.

From a Scarlets point of view, it has been good to welcome Jake and Ryan back into the camp this week and it is testament to the strength of the squad we have built here that we can put such a powerful team on the park despite being without so many of our leading players. There is a really positive mix at the moment with youngsters like Jac Morgan, Morgan Jones and Sam Costelow showing their talent, while congratulations to prop Steff Thomas, another homegrown product, who is set to make his PRO14 debut this afternoon. In terms of the squad moving forward, we have been able to announce the contract renewals of Wyn Jones, Javan Sebastian and another of our prodigious young talents Carwyn Tuipulotu. We are also looking forward to welcoming WillGriff John to Parc y Scarlets this summer. You’ll be happy to hear we’ve also got plenty more announcements in the pipeline! A word too on Werner Kruger, who has been a stalwart for the Scarlets over the last four seasons and who has decided to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign. I am sure you will join me in wishing Werner well for the remainder of the season and for his imminent retirement. It is just a shame that you, the fans, aren’t here to give him the send-off he deserves. Please continue to stay safe and enjoy the match. Simon

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GLENN DELANEY

COACH’S MESSAGE W

ith only four matches remaining in this curtailed Guinness PRO14 season, we all know how important this afternoon’s clash against Benetton is to our hopes of securing a place in the Champions Cup for another season. The top tier of Europe is where we all want to be. When I first came here, the aim was to build a squad good enough to compete against the best on the continent and I think in our recent matches with Toulon and at Bath in December we have shown we can do that. We also still have a mouthwatering knockout tie to come in this season’s tournament. We are still awaiting confirmation of our opponents for that game, but one thing is for certain, they are going to be a high-calibre side and we can’t wait for that one. We have had a positive few weeks since that loss against Leinster here at the end of January. We all know that conceding 52 points at home is unacceptable whoever the opposition, but I think it’s important we don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We were very much in the contest up until they scored those two tries before half-time and we ended up chasing the game after that. We have been honest, we have worked hard at what we need to improve but have also looked to maintain what we have been doing well and hopefully that will set us on the way to a strong performance this afternoon. It is great to have the likes of Eli and Jake back in the squad from Wales duty, they are big players for us and are going to be busting a gut to get out there and get some rugby under their belts.

Congratulations as well to Wales on their opening two wins in the Six Nations and how good has it been to see our boys performing so well on the international stage. You will have read that Wener Kruger is to retire from rugby at the end of this season and I just want to say what a champion he has been for this club. To play more than a century of games not just for the Scarlets, but in Super Rugby for the Bulls and in the Currie Cup for the Blue Bulls is testament to his professionalism and how he has looked after himself throughout his career. In other news it is fantastic that Wyn (what a Six Nations he is having!!), Javan and Carwyn have signed new contracts and keep an eye on our social media channels for a lot more positive news over the coming weeks and months. Once again, I want to wish the Scarlets family well wherever you are watching the game this afternoon. Keep supporting the boys, it’s going to be a big end to the season and this scrap for European spots is going to go down to the wire, I’m sure of that. Stay safe Glenn

PLAYER PROFILE

PLAY IT AGAIN SAM! W

ith his name up in lights following a stunning man-of-the-match display for Wales U20s against England last year, it would have been easy for Sam Costelow to have got carried away with the fanfare. But catching up with the 20-year-old fly-half at Parc y Scarlets this week, it is clear that feet are firmly planted on terra firma. Sam has been handed another start in the Scarlets No. 10 jersey for this afternoon’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Benetton, building on his impressive try-scoring cameo against the Dragons and his previous outing against Leinster. The glimpses he has already shown have underlined what those at the Scarlets already knew well before they snapped him up from Leicester Tigers last year, they have a hugely exciting young talent on their hands — something Scarlets fans are hoping to see plenty more of over the coming months and years. “I have enjoyed being here, I knew coming to the Scarlets that competition for the ten jersey would be strong and I knew I had to be patient because there are quality players in that position here. For me it has been a case of working hard, learning all the time in training and then taking my chance when it comes. It has been great to get some minutes under my belt in the last few matches.”

From Pencoed, Sam was initially part of the Ospreys pathway system before taking up a gilt-edged opportunity with the Leicester Tigers Academy. He was educated at Oakham School, who’s alumni include England cricketer Stuart Broad, British & Irish Lion Tom Croft and Scotland flanker Hamish Watson, and quickly made people stand up and take notice at Welford Road. Twice named Academy player of the year, he made a few appearances for the Tigers senior team, was handed the reins on loan at Championship side Ampthill RFC, while also catching the eye for Wales U18s. But it was that remarkable display against the old enemy — Sam completed a full house of points for Wales U20s in Gloucester — that gave Welsh fans their first real look at the latest fly-half prodigy off the production line Looking to return to Wales to further his international ambitions, Sam agreed the move to Llanelli and although rugby has been limited in a Covid-restricted landscape - the Scarlets have been delighted by how he is tracking. “Sam has been great,” said Steff Hughes, who again skippers the Scarlets side this afternoon. “He has a huge amount of enthusiasm and his attacking style is excellent, he is a real threat on the ball. He has gone really well for us and I’m looking forward to seeing him having more time on the field to show what he can do.”

Sam himself is quick to acknowledge that having players of the composure and experience of Hughes around him is a huge help in his development, as is learning off the glut of seasoned internationals within the Scarlets squad. “Having Steff there on my shoulder to talk to during games is a huge help,” he adds. “Obviously as a ten, it is up to you to make the calls and control things. I have been working hard with Dai Flanagan and Rich Whiffin on my decision-making, how to react to different situations, things like seeing out the second half in games. I am a player who likes to attack the line, but sometimes that might not always be the case and you have to work your way into the game before the opportunity comes” Onto matters in hand and three successive defeats in the PRO14 have left the Scarlets in a dogfight for Champions Cup qualification for next season with crucial matches to come in Edinburgh, Limerick and at home to Connacht following this afternoon’s clash with Benetton.

“We have had some good wins this season, but also learnt a few lessons along the way- that is rugby,” admits Sam. “But whether the international boys are here or not, we all buy into the same mentality, that never changes, it is about working hard and always looking to get better.

For Sam there remains plenty to look forward to in 2020-21.

“Benetton is another big game for us, it was a one-score match in Treviso earlier in the season so we know they are a side we need to treat with respect. They will have big men coming at us and they will also look to play. It is going to be a tough challenge, but if we do our jobs right, having prepped well in the week, we should be fine. “For me, it is another step in my career; I am still young and learning a lot, but I am a player who likes the big occasions and I don’t think age should matter.

Amid it all, there is also an U20s Six Nations to shoehorn into the campaign.

“Covid has made you feel privileged that you are in this position, being able to come into work and train and play every week and we are all grateful for that. “It is a case of taking every opportunity that comes.”

The final matches of the truncated PRO14 season will be followed by a Champions Cup knockout tie and then then the new Rainbow Cup which sees the four crack South African franchises join the party,

“It will be nice to get the jersey on again,” adds Sam. “As I said, coming here I knew the competition would be strong so I know I need to keep working hard on my game. “Everyone here has been brilliant, passing on their experience and helping me in different ways. “But I am also learning just watching those players and how they do things; how they act day to day and how I can be like them. “That’s what it is about, working hard all the time to get better.”

“We have had some good wins this season, but also learnt a few lessons along the way- that is rugby,”

AUTOGRAPH PAGE TYLER MORGAN

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GUINNESS PRO14 CAMPAIGN TO CONCLUDE IN MARCH AHEAD OF NEW “RAINBOW CUP” WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP FOUR ‘SUPER’ TEAMS The current Guinness PRO14 campaign will end in March allowing South Africa’s four ‘Super’ teams and our existing clubs to finish the season with a 16-team “Rainbow Cup” competition ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour. After consulting with key PRO14 stakeholders, the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup was chosen as the best pathway to finish up the current campaign and introduce South Africa’s four ‘Super’ teams: the Vodacom Bulls; Emirates Lions; Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers. This decision also allows our European-based sides to earn qualification for European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) tournaments in 2021/22 in a fair and equitable manner. Ahead of the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will provide a groundbreaking spectacle for fans who will see international star players from north and south establish new rivalries in their bid for the ultimate Test selection. Right through until the last kick of the ball in the Rainbow Cup in June, fans will be able to watch it all unfold with our broadcast partners Premier Sports, eir Sport, S4C, TG4, DAZN and Super Sport. How it will Work • The 2020/21 Guinness PRO14 campaign will finish after 16 rounds with the Conference winners facing each other in a final in late March • Qualification for EPCR tournaments in 2021/22 will be decided by rankings after Round 16 • On April 17, 2021, the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will kick-off and introduce the Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers and their World Cupwinning Springboks • The Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will consist of a pool stage (two pools of eight teams) and a final between the two pool winners FINAL CHAPTER OF GUINNESS PRO14 Rounds 12 to 16 will take place from February 20 and conclude on March 20. A final will then take place at the home venue of the highest-ranked team. This abbreviated

fixture list will aim to ensure home and away in-conference fixtures are completed and each team plays all of its cross-conference matches also. Further clarification will be available when fixtures are confirmed. The scheduled dates for the conclusion of the 2020-21 Guinness PRO14 campaign are: R12: R13: R14: R15: R16: Final:

February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27

Once Round 16 has been completed, the top-ranked teams from each conference will qualify for the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup. Requirement for play-offs is under review. GUINNESS PRO14 “RAINBOW CUP” FORGING NEW RIVALRIES With South Africa preparing to host their first British & Irish Lions tour since 2009, the World Cup champions will see their ‘Super’ teams – the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers take on the very best that Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales have to offer. Players aiming to make the British & Irish Lions squad will find no better trial environment to test themselves in, as they go up against the likes of Siya Kolisi, Pieter Steph du Toit (both DHL Stormers), Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls), Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions) and former Guinness PRO14 top-try scorer Makazole Mapimipi (Cell C Sharks). The Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will kick off on April 17 with two pools of 8 teams made up of two Irish, two South African, two Welsh, one Italian and one Scottish club. Each team will play one game against each pool opponent and the sides that finish top of their pools will face off in a final on June 19. Across 57 matches, the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will feature the best of the Springbok talent going toe-to-toe with some of the British & Irish Lions’ biggest names – every one of them keen to lay down a marker to their respective selectors ahead of what will prove to an historic tour.

guinness pro14 round 14 FRIDAY 22 JANUARY 2021, parc y scarlets, llanelli

Ruthless champions Leinster too strong for Scarlets

efending champions Leinster delivered a masterclass at Parc y Scarlets to overwhelm the home side 52-25 in a rearranged Guinness PRO14 clash. The Irish province crossed for seven converted tries to post their biggest ever points tally in Llanelli. Scarlets crossed for three tries through scrum-half Dane Blacker and replacement half-backs Will Homer and Angus O’Brien, but were on the back foot for most of the match. Both sides showed plenty of changes from their previous PRO14 outings and it was Scarlets who were first on the scoreboard after just two minutes thanks to a penalty from 20-year-old fly-half Sam Costelow, making his first start in the competition. Leinster, though, started growing into the contest and after a concerted period of pressure on the home line, Ireland international flanker Dan Leavy powered over for a score converted by fly-half Harry Byrne. The response from the home side was swift and impressive. No. 8 Uzair Cassiem, on his 50th Scarlets appearance, burst through the middle and the Springbok then timed his pass to perfection to send Blacker over wide out.

Costelow converted, but the lead didn’t last long as Leinster claimed their second try rom a powerful line-out drive with hooker James Tracy emerging from the pile of bodies with the ball. Byrne and Costelow swapped penalties and the game appeared in the balance at 17-13, but with the Scarlets guilty of ill-discipline at crucial times, the end of the half belonged to Leinster with a penalty try and another by wing Cian Kelleher putting them in a commanding 31-13 lead at the interval. Scarlets needed an immediate response after the restart, but instead it was the Irish side who added to their advantage through skipper Luke McGrath. Scarlets did claim their second try on 64 minutes when Tyler Morgan raced clear before sending Homer on a free run to the line, but full-back Max O’Reilly stepped over and replacement David Hawkshaw added another to highlight Leinster’s ruthless nature. There was time for a late solo score from O’Brien to raise hope for a potential try bonus point, but Scarlets were unable to find any further way through.

25 52 TRIES Leavy16’, Tracy22’, Kelleher 40’, McGrath 54’, O’Reilly66’, Hawkshaw 72’

Blacker 18’, Homer 63’, O’Brien 78’

penalties/cons Costelow 2’, 19’, 33’ O’Brien 78’

Byrne 17’, 23’ 30’, 40+1, 54’, 67’, 73’

J. Mcnicholl

M. O’Reilly

T. Prydie

C. Kelleher

T. Morgan

L. Turner

S. Hughes

C. Frawley

R. Conbeer

D. Kearney

S. Costelow

H. Byrne

D. Blacker

L. Mcgrath

P. Price

P. Dooley

M. Jones

J. Tracy

J. Sebastian

T. Furlong

M. Jones

R. Molony

S. Lousi

R. Baird

B. Thomson

J. Murphy

D. Davis

D. Leavy

U. Cassiem

J. Conan

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FLASHBACK

Scarlets 33 Benetton 28 December, 9 2017 (Parc y Scarlets) Paul Asquith stretches over in the 78th minute to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a remarkable Heineken Cup pool match against Benetton in Llanelli. After losses to Toulon and Bath in their opening matches, Scarlets were on the verge of an early exit from the competition when they trailed 28-21 with four minutes remaining. Instead they went on to reach the semi-finals thanks to Asquith’s late, late show and a bit of magic from Steff Evans, whose own try and smart cross-field kick set up the great escape. PHOTOGRAPHY: Huw Evans Picture Agencyphy

FROM THE PRESS ROOM

Shingler back in training as he eyes return to action Ahead of the resumption of Guinness PRO14 action against Benetton on Saturday, Glenn Delaney spoke to the media and delivered a positive update on one of our sidelined international players. How close is Aaron Shingler to making his comeback? GD: “Aaron is back on the training field so we are not too far away. Training has been pretty competitive with him out there. He is teaching the youngsters a few lessons. “He has done another unit session today so we are building him up. In the next couple of weeks we might be able to shift the needle. I’d like to think he would be back on the field soon. “What he is doing, static mauling, scrummaging etc is fine, we just need some capacity into the lungs. “It has been a real rollercoaster for him, seven-odd months deep on a challenging situation. Shings has a strong mindset and has a great support network, Katie and the family have supported him really well and now it is about him returning to being a rugby player which we are really pleased to see. “It was an inflammatory response which affected the joints. The key thing was to get that under control which they did and did very well, but it takes time. Now it has all subsided, the key thing is the reconditioning. It was pretty scary for a while for Shings, every day it was changing and it did take a while to get it under control. But we are really fortunate that the experts that were on hand to help him did a great job.” How disappointed are you with the news of Josh Macleod’s injury? GD: “I am absolutely gutted for him. When I heard I rang him that night and what do you say? He is a brilliant player who is just having a real rough run of luck. Rugby can be your best friend and your worst enemy in the same breath. “It is a tough one for him, but I am sure he will come back bigger and stronger. He will have a lot of support around him and he will drive himself to be a better player than the moment it happened. The

moment it happened he was starting for his country and we have to make sure that is where he gets back to. “Hopefully the procedure goes well and then we start the rehab trail. I am excited by how he will come back. He is a hell of a player and deserved the chance to play for his country and I am absolutely sure that chance will come again.” You have had a couple of weeks without games since the Leinster defeat, what has been the response? GD: “The last few weeks have been pretty productive as you’d hope to expect. It is a bit like that rock under the towel in summer that keeps poking you. We were aware of where we were at in that game; look, we were competing well but the two tries before half-time took the contest away from us and then we were playing catch up. There have been a lot of things we have taken from it in terms of trying to get better, which is how we work here. “The boys have been really honest, analysed it and the key is not to throw the baby out with the bath water. As long as we work on the things we need to improve on and maintain the things we are doing well, the optimism will remain and we can give ourselves a good chance to get back on the horse on Saturday.” It looks like it is going to be a real battle for Champions Cup qualification? GD: “It is going to be a good scrap in our pool. We love European competition and it is a competition we are excited by. We want to make sure we are in the shake-up for that moving forward.”

N U M

O U N E

417 U R N D R E D D V E N T E E N

Defenders beaten by the Scarlets in the PRO14 this season. The third highest in the competition

S E V E N

The PRO14 record for most individual points in a match, held by Stephen Jones for his tally against Swansea in October 2002.

Points scored by Scarlets full-back Leigh Halfpenny in the Six Nations. He is now sixth on the all-time list

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THREE

F H A S

b y

183 turnovers won by Scotland international Blade Thomson in the PRO14 in the 2020-21 campaign so far. Joint sixth in the competition

t h i r t y

t w o

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HERE’S TO THE NEXT ROUND

EVERY FIXTUR EVERY TRY EVERY TACKLE

GUINNESS PRO14 CONFERENCES COnFERENCE A - ADRAN A PL

DIFF

PTS

Leinster Rugby

396 161

235

Ulster Rugby

335 180

155

Ospreys

215 217

-2

Glasgow Warriors

177 222

-45

Dragons

Zebre Rugby

Munster Rugby

ALL IN ONE APP 0

292 185

107

Connacht Rugby

278 243

Cardiff Blues

174 203

-29

Scarlets Rugby

200 227

-27

Edinburgh Rugby

165 223

-58

Benetton Rugby

161 249

-88

168 253

-86

157 355 -198

COnFERENCE B - ADRAN B PL

DIFF

PTS

BENETTON RUGBY

TODAY’S OPPOSITION A

couple of seasons ago, having reached the Guinness PRO14 play-offs and pushed Munster all the way in Limerick, Benetton appeared to be heading firmly in the right direction. However, without a win in all 10 of their championship matches this season and with their head coach Kieran Crowley leaving in June, they are back at the crossroads. Former Canada head coach Crowley was deservedly named the PRO14’s coach of the year following that impressive campaign in 2018-19, but things have stalled badly for the Kiwi and last month it was announced that he will be leaving the Treviso-based club a year before the end of his contract. In a statement, Crowley, who has been in northern Italy for five and a half years, said: “Of course I am disappointed with the club’s decision, but I respect their choice of wanting to go in a different direction. My wife Sue and I really enjoyed the years spent here in Treviso, it was a great place to live, where we met exceptional people who I want to sincerely thank for all their support. Even though this has been an extremely difficult season, we still have five months to go and I along with the rest of the coaches, players and clubs will do our best to reverse our results and end the season in a positive way.”

Azzurri great Marco Bortolami, currently part of Crowley’s back-room team, will step into the hot seat in the summer and he will be assisted by former Harlequins boss Paul Gustard, who has been announced as the club’s new defence coach. In the meantime, Benetton will be desperate to claim that elusive first league win, which was within their grasp in their rescheduled clash with Munster last month, only for fly-half JJ Hanrahan to snatch victory for the Irish province with a stoppage-time drop-goal. Like the Scarlets, they will be without a number of international players on Six Nations duty, including new Italy cap Monty Ioane, but still have seasoned performers like Jayden Hayward, Angelo Esposito, Leonardo Sarto and dangerous Fijian Iliesa Ratuva to call upon.

HEAD TO HEAD MEETINGS

SCARLETS WINS

BENETTON WINS

DRAWS

PREVIOUS MATCHES

BENETTON SCARLETS

3 10

OCT 23, 2020 (STADIO MONIGO)

SCARLETS BENETTON

20 17

NOV 9, 2019 (PARC Y SCARLETS)

BENETTON rugby

J AY D E N

HAYWARD

AGE

BRAAM

STEYN

AGE

POSITION: FULL-BACK

POSITION: BACK ROW

TEST CAPS: 27 (ITALY)

TEST CAPS: 44 (ITALY)

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 90

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 66

PRO14 TRIES: 8

PRO14 TRIES: 10

STRENGTHS: EXPERIENCED TEST PERFORMER WHO HAS MADE MORE METRES THAN ANY PLAYER IN THE COMPETITION THIS SEASON

STRENGTHS: ABRASIVE PRESENCE AT THE CONTACT AREA WHO CARRIES AND TACKLES WITH REAL VENOM

CALLUM

BRALEY

AGE

IRNÉ

HERBST

AGE

POSITION: SCRUM-HALF

POSITION: SECOND ROW

TEST CAPS: 9 (ITALY)

TEST CAPS: 0

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 9

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 42

PRO14 TRIES: 1

PRO14 POINTS: 1

STRENGTHS: FORMER GLOUCESTER HALFBACK IS A REAL LIVEWIRE AROUND THE FRINGES

STRENGTHS: FORMER BLUE BULLS FORWARD WHO BRINGS PLENTY OF PHYSICALITY TO THE FORWARD EFFORT

NEW SIGNING

Scarlets sign Sale Sharks prop WillGriff John

carlets have moved to bolster their squad for the 2021-22 season with the signing of prop WillGriff John from Sale Sharks.

John has been with the Sharks for the last four seasons, with his impressive form in the Gallagher Premiership earning him a call-up to Wales’ Six Nations squad last year. After starting out with Pontypridd in the Welsh Premiership, John began his professional career with Cardiff Blues and has had spells with Doncaster Knights in the English Championship and with New Zealand provincial side Northland. He was also part of Wales U20s’ squad at the 2012 Junior World Championships. Standing at 6ft 3in and 19st 11lb, the 28-yearold tight-head has built a reputation as a powerful scrummager and ball-carrier and will add to a strong front-row pool at the Scarlets when he links up with the squad in the summer. “WillGriff is a player who has built a strong reputation in the Premiership with the Sharks and it is great that we are able to bring him back to Welsh rugby,” said Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney.

“He was due to win his first cap for Wales against Scotland last year only for the match to be postponed because of Covid and he is hungry to get back into the international set-up. He is a player who will add a lot to our squad and we look forward to welcoming him to Parc y Scarlets in the summer.” John said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Scarlets for next season. They are a team that are known for playing an exciting style of rugby based on a strong set-piece and I am looking forward to joining up with the team in the summer. I have a young family now so it will be nice to be closer to home after being away from Wales for a number of years. After speaking with Glenn I was really excited about joining the team and hopefully playing my part in future success. “The Scarlets supporters are known around the world as being some of the most loyal and vocal and the club has a fantastic history. I really hope that, should the pandemic permit, by the time next season starts we are running out at Parc y Scarlets in front of those fans.”

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Carwyn Tuipulotu signs four-year deal with Scarlets

ne of Welsh rugby’s bright young prospects, Carwyn Tuipulotu, has committed his future to the Scarlets by signing a four-year deal — his first professional contract.

The 19-year-old back-rower has made a big impression at Parc y Scarlets this season and came off the bench for his Guinness PRO14 debut against Leinster last month. The son of Tongan international Kati Tuipulotu, Carwyn was educated at Sedbergh School in Cumbria before linking up with the Scarlets Academy from Newcastle Falcons two seasons ago. Capped at Wales U16s and U18s level, he is currently part of the Wales U20s group training for the forthcoming Six Nations. He is also in the first year of a philosophy degree at Swansea University, combining his studies with his professional rugby career. “I am delighted to have signed a contract here with the Scarlets,” he said. “I feel like I am settled and really at home here. There are a lot of senior players who have been a great help to me, they are like my big brothers. I am learning a huge amount from their experiences and that can only help me develop my game.

“It was great to get a taste of the PRO14 against one of the best sides in the competition in Leinster and hopefully it will be the first of many. “For me, it is a case of working hard in training and to keep on learning. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me at the Scarlets.” Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said: “Carwyn is clearly a young man with a big future ahead of him and it is great news that he has signed a four-year contract with the Scarlets. “Athletically, Carwyn is phenomenal and we feel a real responsibility to provide him with the best opportunity and environment to progress. It’s about making sure we do the right thing by him so he can become the player that we all hope he will be. “He has already made a big impact around the group and one of the plans we had with Sione Kalamafoni coming to the club was to provide a bit of mentorship from a man who understands how to train and how to be an ultimate pro. “Carwyn has already had a taste of senior rugby and I am sure Scarlets fans are looking forward to seeing a lot more of him over the coming seasons.”

HANGING UP HIS BOOTS

Werner Kruger to retire at end of the season W

erner Kruger will retire from rugby at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 16-year

career. The South African international prop has made more than a century of appearances for the Blue Bulls province, Bulls Super Rugby side and also the Scarlets, having been a key member of the squad since his arrival in West Wales five years ago. Capped four times by the Springboks, Werner has made 122 appearances in a Scarlets jersey and was part of the squad that clinched the Guinness PRO12 title in stunning fashion in 2017. Werner turned 36 earlier this month and admits the time is right to hang up his playing boots. “You hear the statement ‘you know when you know’ and you never really understand until it comes across your path,” he said. “I feel very fortunate and very blessed to have been able to have played this game that we love for the past 16-plus years.

Werner made his Scarlets debut in 2016 after signing from the Pretoria-based Bulls. “It could not have started better for me, going on that winning run and then winning the title in Dublin against Munster. That entire season is a massive highlight for me. The La Rochelle European quarter-final and seeing Parc y Scarlets packed out was also something special.

“Rugby has been a passion of mine from being a young kid growing up, dreaming of playing for the Springboks and it has been a real privilege to have played for so long.

“I have loved every minute of my time here. I just want to say a thank you to the Scarlets family — the supporters who came out week after week; each and every one of them has made our time here as a family extra special.

“I just want to say thanks to my Lord and Saviour for helping me through this career and keeping my body whole. When you are in it you don’t really realise the sense of achievement going from game to game; when you are at the end and take stock you feel really privileged and blessed to have been able to play as many games as I have.”

“I have been lucky in my career to have been involved in some great squads. Winning two Super Rugby finals back-to-back with the Bulls was a massive honour and of course representing the Springboks and making my debut against Australia in Sydney is something I will never forget.”

Give one of Leigh’s favourite festive dishes a go! Roast leg of Welsh Lamb with gin and cranberry Ingredients 1 PGI Welsh Lamb leg joint, allow 175-350g per person 450g PGI Welsh Lamb or PGI Welsh Beef sausages, slit skins and remove meat 6 tbsp gin 3 tbsp cranberry sauce 4 small red onions 1 tsp butter 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / Gas 4-5. Weigh the joint and calculate the cooking time: medium – 25 minutes per 450g / 500g plus 25 minutes or well done – 30 minutes per 450g / 500g plus 30 minutes. 2. Line a roasting pan with two sheets of foil and place the lamb leg onto the foil. Mix together the gin and cranberry sauce and spoon this over the lamb. 3. Scrunch the foil around the joint, but leave the top exposed. Place the joint in the preheated oven to roast and baste occasionally during cooking. 4. Add the onions 45 minutes before the end of the final cooking time for the lamb.

5. Meanwhile, cut the onions in half horizontally (stalk at top) and using a spoon scoop out some of the layers leaving 2-3 in the shell. 6. Roughly chop the removed onion. In a pan heat butter and lightly fry the onion. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add the rosemary and sausage meat and combine together. 7. Take a handful of mixture and stuff into onion shells. Prop up around the joint, drizzle with a little olive oil and cook for 40-50 minutes until onion soft and fully golden. Rest the joint for about 15 minutes. 8.Serve with roasted potatoes, baked onions, seasonal vegetables and cranberry gin meat juices.

For more recipes visit

eatwelshlamb.com

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TEAM MANAGER SARA DAVIES

Some of you may not enjoy this article, but here we go.... When I post on social media I often follow these rules

T - is it True? H - is it Helpful? I - is it Inspiring? N - is it necessary? K - is it Kind? This is probably why my social media is filled with the things I cook and bake rather than anything work or rugby related. The other reason I don’t is simply because I’m scared; scared of offending someone, scared of starting an argument and scared that I’m going to reply with something that doesn’t follow my rules. People always want players and coaches to have an active, engaging social media profile for the fans or for commercial reasons, but what I’d like to share with you today is many of them are fearful of what people say and think of them — the same as most people would be. Imagine you are in work, you are sitting down at your desk and a person who you don’t know comes to sit next to you and even though you know they don’t do the same job as you, they sit there and criticise everything that you do. - You type too slow - The work colleague should be doing this job not you, they are better than you. - Your boss doesn’t know what he is talking about. - Should you really be eating that for lunch? - That tea is weak, I wouldn’t have made it like that. - You’re not good enough to work here This is often how it feels for players/coaches, and yes I know what you’re thinking “they are paid to be professional rugby players/coaches”, and yes they are, but so are you in your job, so imagine you being on the end of that type of criticism if you happened to make a mistake. Mistakes are something we all do. I’m just grateful that unlike the players and coaches, my mistakes are not broadcast live to thousands of people every week and

people don’t feel the need to target me in social media posts highlighting my mistakes. The people who do not get paid to see these comments are the family of players and staff. They are the ones who see the posts about weight, race, competency and rugby ability. Players and staff are encouraged not to engage with the negativity of social media, but unfortunately that means that some have decided to shut down their accounts and not engage at all. Covid-19 has turned this world on its head and we are so grateful that we are able to come to work every day and still be able to be involved in a game we love and get paid for it. However, what the lockdown has encouraged is a culture where people are much more critical than they have ever been online — the filter of kindness has pretty much disappeared. I can tell you, most players and staff either read everything that gets written, or have a family that do. I spend a lot of time during the week picking up the pieces from what players, staff or their families feel and think about these comments as they don’t want to be controversial in replying. Anyway, the long and the short of this piece is to appeal to everyone to pause and THINK before making personal comments about individuals on social media. In a world where you can be anything, #BeKind

Scarlets 43 Benetton Treviso 0 (GUINNESS PRO12, September 20, 2014; Parc y Scarlets)

FROM THE VAULT S

carlets romped to a seven-tries-tonil win over Italian visitors Treviso in the Pro12 in Llanelli.

Wales internationals Gareth Davies and Liam Williams each touched down twice against visitors who were unable to muster a response on the scoreboard. Hooker Emyr Phillips went over in the opening minute and Davies’s tries also came in the opening period. Full-back Williams’s scores came after the break, as did those of Johan Snyman and Gareth Owen. It was the hosts’ first win under new coach Wayne Pivac, who replaced Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby in the summer. Treviso’s glut of off-season departures and personnel changes left them struggling in west Wales. Phillips broke free on the visitors’ 22-metre line after Treviso’s early attacking intent backfired. Second-row Joe Snyman and flanker Aaron Shingler combined to send Davies over for his first try. Priestland missed with the conversion, but the home sides were already almost totally dominant. Italy centre Michele Campagnaro provided hope for the visitors with his attacking ability. But Scarlets had more players to offer threats in the likes of Wales lock Jake Ball, ex-Ospreys number eight Rory Pitman and prop Rob Evans making headway with ball in hand.

That forward platform paid off at a scrum from which Davies hacked ahead before winning the foot-race to the line. Wales fly-half contender Priestland’s conversion made it 19-0 at the break. Treviso then lost number eight Matt Luamanu to the sin bin for illegal play at a breakdown. And in his absence, the hosts scored three tries. Summer wing recruit from Cardiff Blues Harry Robinson sent Williams in for his first score with a telling pass. From the restart the game’s stand-out player Aaron Shingler’s athletic burst led to Snyman’s try. Williams cut past the visiting defence when the next opportunity arose. And centre Gareth Owen finished off the home side’s try-scoring efforts.

Scarlets: Liam Williams; Harry Robinson, Gareth Owen, Scott Williams (capt), Michael Tagicakibau; Rhys Priestland, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Emyr Phillips, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Johan Snyman, Aaron Shingler, John Barclay, Rory Pitman. Replacements: Darran Harris, Phil John, Peter Edwards, Richard Kelly, Rob McCusker, Aled Davies, Steven Shingler, Adam Warren. Treviso: Ruggero Trevisan; Angelo Esposito, Michele Campagnaro, Alberto Sgarbi, Andrea Pratichetti; Sam Christie, James Ambrosini; Matteo Muccignat, Giovanni Maistri, Rupert Harden, Antonio Pavanello (capt), Corniel Van Zyl, Marco Lazzaroni, Tomas Vallejos Cinalli, Mat Luamanu. Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Salesi Manu, Matteo Zanusso, Marco Fuser, Leo Auva’a, Enrico Bacchin, Joe Carlisle, Henry Seniloli.

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY

WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN

PRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR

RANKED TOP IN WALES

AR Y BRIG YNG NGHYMRU

(The Times and Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2020)

(The Times and Sunday Times, Canllaw Prifysgolion Da 2020)

APPLY NOW YMGEISIWCH NAWR

FROM THE ACADEMY

QUESTION AND ANSWERS WITH EDDIE JAMES Age:

Biggest fear/phobia:

Snakes

School:

Favourite app:

Ysgol Bro Myrddin / Coleg Sir Gar

Snapchat

Sporting hero:

Random fact about you:

Sonny Bill Williams

I cut my own hair

Top three pre-match songs: Come and Go (Juice WRLD), Solar System (Sub Focused), Can’t Stop (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) Favourite music artist: Juice WRLD Dream holiday: Would love to go to Bora Bora

Meleri Williams

Codi Llais – Straeon y Sosban Yn codi ei lais dros Lanelli yr wythnos hon mae Aled Jones o Rydaman. Dyma sut ddechreuodd ei stori gyda’r Scarlets... “Dechreuais i gefnogi’r Scarlets tua 40 mlynedd yn ôl! Roedd tocyn tymor gyda fy nhad a dechreuais fynd gyda fe pan yn fachgen.” “Fy atgof cyntaf am y Scarlets yw eistedd yn yr eisteddle ar Barc y Strade yn gwylio’r “cewri” yn yr wythdegau.” Ac ar hyd y deugain mlynedd o gefnogi, beth yw hoff atgoff Aled ohonynt i gyd? “Roedd nifer fawr o gemau ble’r oedd yr awyrgylch yn drydanol neu’n emosiynol. Dw i’n credo mai gwylio’r ferch, Lucy, pan gafodd ei dewis i fod y “mascot” yn 2008. Ac hefyd yn ddiweddar, gêm Scarlets v La Rochelle (Mawrth 2018).” Ac mae Aled hefyd yn hoff o deithio i gefnogi’r Scarlets... “Dw i wedi teithio ar hyd meysydd ar draws de Cymru ac ambell un yn Lloegr. Ac mae sawl rownd derfynol y cwpan a “Dydd y Farn” yn aros yn y cof.”

Aled a’i ferch, Lucy, yn cefnogi’r Scarlets Ond rhaid edrych ymlaen... yn syml, dyma beth mae Aled yn edrych ‘mlaen ato fwyaf pan gawn ni gyd ddychwelyd i Parc y Scarlets? “Bod nôl gyda’r gwir ffans!”

Hoff chwaraewr Aled?

Ac mae dewis Aled o dri gair i ddisgrifio’r Scarlets yn rhai y gallwn nig yd uniaethu â nhw...

“Methu dewis un – mae’r arwyr wedi newid dros y blynyddoedd fel mae’r gêm wedi newid. Grav yn sicr aros yn y cof.”

“Emosiynol, cyffrous, teulu.”

Mae’r flwyddyn ddiwethaf wedi bod yn heriol tu hwnt wrth weld eisiau cymuned y Scarlets. Beth mae Aled yn gweld ei eisiau fwyaf am beidio gallu bod yn y dorf ym Mharc y Scarlets ar hyn o bryd? Ydy’r cyfnod clo wedi bod yn anodd heb y Scarlets? “Dw i’n gweld eisiau gwylio rygbi byw – ‘dyw e ddim yr un peth yn gwylio ar y teledu. Mae pethau mwy pwysig na rygbi yn ystod y cyfnod clo ond roeddwn yn mwynhau mynd i’r Parc hyd at fis Mawrth llynedd.”

JANUARY PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Sione voted Oil 4 Wales January Player of the Month

Sione Kalamafoni has been voted the Oil 4 Wales Scarlets Player of the Month for January. The Tongan international polled 69% of the fans’ vote to see off the challenge of Blade Thomson and Sam Lousi for the award.

Enillydd pleidlais Chwaraewr y Mis Olew dros Gymru yw Sione Kalamafoni ar gyfer mis Ionawr. Derbyniodd y chwaraewr o Donga 69% o bleidlais y cefnogwyr i faeddu Blade Thomson a Sam Lousi am y wobr.

January was a testing month for the Scarlets with a hard-earned home win over the Dragons followed by back-to-back losses in tight contests against Cardiff Blues and a heavy defeat at the hands of defending champions Leinster.

Roedd Ionawr yn fis heriol i’r Scarlets wrth ennill gartref yn erbyn y Dreigiau a cholli dwy gêm yn olynol yn erbyn Gleision Caerdydd, a cholled sylweddol yn erbyn y pencampwyr Leinster penwythnos diwethaf.

But Sione stood out, delivering a man-of-the-match display against the Dragons and displaying his power and dynamism again with a fine solo score at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Seren y gêm am y fuddugoliaeth yn erbyn y Dreigiau, cafodd Sione effaith mawr hefyd yn ystod gêm Gleision Caerdydd a chynhaliwyd yn Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd.

Sione is currently recovering from concussion suffered in the home loss to the Blues, but is hoping to be fit and firing for the Scarlets’ next Guinness PRO14 outing against Benetton at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, February 20.

Cafodd cyfergyd yn ystod yr ail gêm yn erbyn y Gleision ac o ganlyniad fe wyliodd gêm Leinster o’r eisteddle, ond mawr obeithiwn bydd yn iach ar gyfer gem nesaf PR014 y Scarlets yn erbyn Benetton ym Mharc y Scarlets ar ddydd Sadwrn, Chwefror 20fed

OWAIN BADGER

THOUGHTS FROM THE HALFWAY There was an almighty row, supporters ripped up their season tickets, vitriolic letters were written to the local and national press and to cap it all an effigy of the Welsh Rugby Union committee was burnt in Llanelli Town Hall Square. Scarlet fans were certainly up in arms in 1972. This was the team that had just beaten the All Blacks at a packed Stradey Park. Now ten players of that side were not available for club games for four crucial months of the season. They were in the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals and then the Five Nations. Fantasy, of course. Supporters have ripped up tickets in the past and several angry letters have been written to newspapers over the years although much of that anger is now channelled through social media. As far as I know an effigy of the WRU committee has never been burnt!

There was a Welsh squad, there had been since a full-time coach had been appointed in 1967. First David Nash and then Clive Rowlands. But the rules of player release were far different and internationals could play crucial Welsh Cup games for their clubs during the weekends during the Five Nations when there wasn’t a game. Scarlets players regularly did and that’s why they won four Welsh Cups in a row. Gradually the greater emphasis on the international team has increased and we now have the situation that players spend nearly as much time in international squad training as they do with the regions. The Scarlets have had a successful few seasons through a golden generation of players so the impact on us has been worse than other regions losing up to a dozen players for a good chunk of the season.

But this is a scenario that could have happened if the present rules concerning club players being released to the Welsh squad had been in place in 1972.

There is now talk of a major restructuring of the game so that the regions would have the benefit of their internationals for all league and cup games.

The present Scarlets haven’t fielded their first team all season.There have been complicating factors like long-term injuries and the Coronavirus regulations. However,the biggest factor has been the release of players to the national camp.

As we slowly come out pandemic restrictions which have deprived rugby of supporters, let’s hope that some kind of rethink will take place.

Most of the Scarlets’ internationals have been unavailable for up to four months this year as they have been in the Welsh team bubble training for the autumn and now the Six Nations. Of course the same Welsh squad rules didn’t apply in those far off amateur days of 72. But if they had the impact on that famous side would have been exactly the same. About ten players including Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, Roy Bergiers, Delme Thomas and Barry Llewelyn would have been unavailable to the Scarlets.

Just think what those thousands of those Scarlet supporters of 1972 would have said if they had not been able to see their heroes every Saturday. They just wouldn’t have accepted it.

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T O D A Y ’ S V I R T U A L

MASCOT

NAME: Ollie Grant AGE: 9 School: Halfway Primary School Club: Llangennech U10s Favourite player: Leigh Halfpenny - One day I want to grow up to be like him and play for Wales!

SCARLETS COMMUNITY

carlets Community Foundation has teamed up with Actif Sir Gar and Princes Gate to create and share skill development videos across our social channels. The videos will also assist schools within the region as part of Actif Sir Gar’s million minutes campaign which is encouraging children to keep fit and healthy during lockdown. Keep an eye out on our Twitter page @cymunedscarlets and Facebook and Instagram channels for skills videos starring the likes of Steff Hughes, Ioan Nicholas, Sam Costelow, Jac Price, Luke Davies and Tom Phillips.

VINDICO

Getting to know our commercial partners

Where are you based? Parc y Scarlets! We have a Cardiff office too but this is the one we shout about. Tell us a bit about the business? When you think of tech and innovation, you think Silicon Valley not the Welsh Valleys. But we at Vindico don’t like to conform – and we’re putting Wales on the map while we’re at it. But let’s rewind. Founded in 2014, Vindico is a team of blue sky thinkers and problem solvers – led by MD Jo Polson, backed by Technical Director Ryan Griffiths, and facilitated by our tech incubator. The aim? To transform ideas into concepts, concepts into prototypes and prototypes into products that change the way businesses operate – for the better. We call it: #ThinkPurple. #ThinkPurple? That’s right. It means asking better questions to deliver better outcomes. And it’s more than a catchy slogan. It’s our ethos, our mission, it underpins everything we do, and it’s what our clients know and trust. We’ve grown our team to 14 of the finest thinkers and innovators that Wales has to offer. We’ve got offices in Cardiff and Swansea, and we’ve enjoyed recession-proof, pandemicproof, year-on-year growth thanks to our unrivalled technical expertise. We’ve become the go-to problem-solvers for businesses looking to adapt, evolve, and innovate – especially during challenging times.

attracted you to become a Scarlets commercial partner? Vindico was born in Parc y Scarlets and evolved through learning and reacting to challenges on both sides of the ball. These challenges ranged from creating a platform to control the big screen, to launching their new website, and even this week we have deployed our new Covid Screening App (SWAPP Lite) at the Parc. This synergy almost runs beyond a commercial partner, but it’s been a great tool for our business as well with over half our clients coming from event hospitality or other connections through the Scarlets Business Club. Long may it continue! Favourite Scarlets moment?: From our MD Jo: The Munster quarter-final back at Stradey Park. The panic to get the extra big tents in as we found out with little notice that an extra 900 Irish fans had booked the ferry. I remember a lot about the set-up, a little about the game, and absolutely nothing about what happened later that night, but it always makes me smile. The semi was some away trip too.. Favourite Scarlets player?: This is a tough one, but I’d have to say Stephen Jones. A 10 that could take a crash ball and deliver a big hit is a rare thing these days. He had that and guile as well. From the current team, it has to be Ken. What are you looking forward to this season? Fans and the noise and atmosphere they bring. Working on matchdays as we do - It has no soul without the fans.

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

KEMSLEY MATHIAS

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

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jonathan davies

johnny williams

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

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JOSPEH ROBERTS

JOSEPH MILES

JOSH MACLEOD

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

JOSHUA HELPS

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

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

javan sebastain

james davies

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

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

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

LIAM WILLIAMS

ctr

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

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

Andrea Thomas

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

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

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

sam lousi

ryan elias

ryan conbeer

rhys patchell

phil price

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

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paul asquith

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

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

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

rob evans

morgan jones

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

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

marc jones

KIERAN HARDY

KEN OWENS

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

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30/11/92 N/A N/A 180CM 117KG

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

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

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STEFFAN hughes

sione kalamafoni

shaun EVANS

samuel costelow

samson lee

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

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

Andrea Thomas

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

01/09/94 @steffevs09 @steffevans09 182CM 93KG

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

thomas phillips

tevita retuva

taylor davies

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STEFFAN thomas

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

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uzair cassiem

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tyler morgan

tomi leiws

thomas rogers

tOM prydie

23/02/92

17/12/98

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17/03/90

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@tomrogers007 @tomrog15 185CM 91KG

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PIETER SCHOLTZ

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william homer

werner kruger

20/03/94 @N/A @pieter_scholtz 187CM 120KG

Date

Opponents

Scarlets

Result

Score

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

Opposition D

OCTOBER 2020 Sat 3

P14

Munster

27-30

Sun 11

P14

Glasgow

20-07

Fri 23

P14

Benetton

03-10

03-06

NOVEMBER 2020 Sun 1

P14

Edinburgh

Sun 8

P14

Zebre

18-17

Sat 14

P14

Connacht

14-20

8 2

5 5

Sun 22

P14

Ulster

26-24

Sun 29

P14

Leinster

N/A

DECEMBER 2020 Sat 12

ERC

Bath Rugby

19-23

Fri 18

ERC

RC Toulon

28-0

Sat 26

P14

Ospreys

14-16

3 -

JANUARY 2021 Fri 1

P14

Dragons

20-3

Sat 9

P14

Cardiff Blues

29-20

Fri 15

ERC

RC Toulon

N/A

Sat 23

ERC

Bath Rugby

Fri 22

P14

Cardiff Blues

13-10

Sat 30

P14

Leinster

25-52

1 3

FEBRUARY 2021 Sat 20

P14

Benetton

Sat 27

P14

Edinburgh

MARCH 2021 FRI 12

P14

Munster

Mon 22

P14

Connacht

P14

Guinness Pro14

ERC

European Champions Cup

Win

Lose

Draw

Postponed

27 2

Started match -

5 -

Used as a replacement

5 5 5 10 5 5

5 13 -

7 5

5 8

Points scored in match 5

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. SCHOLTZ 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, SAT 20 FEB 2021 KO 3:00PM STARTING XV JOHNNY MCNICHOLL

JAYDEN HAYWARD

RYAN CONBEER

ANGELO ESPOSITO

TYLER MORGAN

JOAQUIN RIERA

STEFF HUGHES ©

LUCA MORISI

STEFF HUGHES

LEONARDO SARTO

SAM COSTELOW

TOMMASO ALLAN

DANE BLACKER

PHIL PRICE

THOMAS GALLO

RYAN ELIAS

TOMAS BARAVALLE

JAVAN SEBASTIAN

TIZIANO PASQUALI

JAKE BALL

IRNÉ HERBST

MORGAN JONES

ELI SNYMAN

UZAIR CASSIEM

GIOVANNI PETTINELLI

JAC MORGAN

MANUEL ZULIANI

SIONE KALAMAFONI

RICCARDO FAVRETTO

MARC JONES

CORNIEL ELS

STEFF THOMAS

NICOLA QUAGLIO

PIETER SCHOLTZ

IVAN NEMER

SAM LOUSI

MATTEO CANALI

ED KENNEDY

ALBERTO SGARBI

WILL HOMER

DAVIDE RUGGERI

DAN JONES

CALLUM BRALEY

PAUL ASQUITH

EDOARDO PADOVANI

replacements

match officials REFEREE: DAN JONES (WRU) AR1: BEN WHITEHOUSE (WRU) AR2: ELGAN WILLIAMS (WRU) TMO: JON MASON (WRU)

ALBERT TANNER CEFNogwr

Y GAIR OLAF W

i’n ofni taw nodyn lleddf sydd i’r erthygl y tro hwn, er nad wi’n ymddiheuro am hynny. Ma’ ffarwelio ‘da dau o gewri’r gêm o oes fy ieuenctid yn haeddu gair neu ddau. Nid arwyr fel y cyfryw (wedi’r cyfan rodd un yn Sais!) ond dau wharaewr oedd yn enwau cyfarwydd iawn i bob cefnogwr yn y 1960au a’r 1970au. Ffarmwr defaid oedd John Pullin, yn ffermio yng nghysgod Pont Hafren (yr hen un) mewn oes pan oedd wharaewyr yn datblygu ei ffitrwydd wrth eu gwaith yn hytrach na mewn gym. Hoe fach oedd hyfforddiant rygbi. Os oedd angen ymarfer ychwanegol bydde fe’n rhedeg dros Bont Hafren a nôl. Bydde chi ddim yn cael gwneud hynny heddi, glei. Bu’n gapten ar ei wlad 13 gwaith mâs o 42 cap rhyngwladol fel bachwr. Pan oedd pawb yn clodfori Martin Johnson am arwain Lloegr i fuddugoliaethau yn erbyn y Cryse Duon, Awstralia a’r Springboks roedd John Pullin wedi gwneud hynny mewn cyfnod o 18 mis deg mlynedd ar hugain ynghynt mewn cyfnod pan oedd Lloegr yn ddeiliaid y llwy bren yn y Pum Gwlad yn amlach na dim. Dyma’r cyfnod pan wrthododd Cymru a’r Alban deithio i’r Iwerddon yn y 1970au oherwydd y sefyllfa wleidyddol ond fe arweiniodd Pullin ei dîm i golled anochel arall yn Nulyn. Anfarwolwyd rhan o’i araith yn y cinio ar ôl y gêm “Falle bo’ ni ddim lot o gop ond o leia’ ni’n troi lan”. Ar wahân i fod yr unig un oedd ddim yn Gymro i gyffwrdd â’r bel yn ystod cais bythgofiadwy Gareth Edwards i’r Barbariaid yn erbyn Seland Newydd yn 1973, Pullin

hefyd oedd yr unig Sais i whare ymhob un o’r gemau prawf i’r Llewod yn 1971. Fe hefyd oedd yr unig gapten Lloegr y gwn i amdano wedodd bod yn well ganddo whare yng Nghaerdydd na Twickenham. “Tase chi’n ennill un yn erbyn y pen yng Nghaerdydd bydde bloedd o gymeradwyaeth achos bod y dorf i gyd yn deall y gêm. Bydde dim clem gyda’r rhan fwya’ yn Twickenham”. I ddarllenwyr ifanc sydd ddim yn gwybod beth yw “un yn erbyn y pen” gofynnwch i Dadcu i esbonio – ond byddwch yn barod am bregeth am gymaint gwell oedd y gêm yn ei ddyddie fe! Yr ail golled yw Jean Pierre Bastiat, y cawr o wythwr, yn un o’r rhengoedd ôl gorau i Ffrainc (neu unrhyw wlad arall o ran hynny) sef Jean Pierre Rives a Jean Claude Skrela. Roedd 1977 yn flwyddyn fawr i’r Ffrancod – yr ail Gamp Lawn yn eu hanes. Sawl tîm sydd wedi ennill Camp Lawn tybed trwy ddewis yr un pymtheg wharaewr i bob un o’u pedwar gêm? Neb yn yr oes fodern, ma’ hynny’n siwr. Os cewch chi gyfle i wylio cais Bastiat yn y gêm olaf i ennill y Gamp Lawn yn Nulyn ar youtube fe gewch chi flas ar rygbi fel y dylai gael ei whare. Be wedodd Ieuan Glan Geirionnydd? “Mae nghyfeillion adre’n myned...” Yr hen gewri. Heddwch i’w llwch.

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