Scarlets v Cardiff Blues Matchday Programme

v BLUES 22.01.21 k.o. 20:00

issue / rhifyn 7

rhaglen diwrnod gĂŞm 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 CARDIFF BLUES 22.01.21 KO 20:00

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

Player profile - Wales hooker Ryan Elias

30

Back to the future: Focus on Cardiff Blues

51

Quick questions with Academy prospect Tal Rees

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

57

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

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Simon Muderack

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

D

uring these difficult times and amid all the continued uncertainty, we are grateful to be back at Parc y Scarlets for this rearranged Guinness PRO14 game against Cardiff Blues this evening.

The boys feel privileged to be in the position where they can bring some joy to our supporters and also recognise how fortunate they are to be able to continue to go about their week-to-week rugby.

With the Covid vaccine in the process of being rolled out across our communities, let’s hope for brighter days ahead.

You will have read that Wales international Wyn Jones has signed a contract extension with us, which is fantastic news. Retaining one of our own like Wyn is a crucial part of our philosophy here and there are plenty more key renewals that we will be announcing over the coming weeks and months.

On Wednesday, Wyn was named as one of 11 Scarlets in Wales’s Six Nations squad ahead of the Championship opener against Ireland next month.

Once again, the Scarlets representation is higher than any other Welsh side, which is something we are immensely proud of. We make no apology about shouting from the rooftops about how successful our pathway and academy system has been as it continues to deliver home-grown players to the international team.

A couple of personal announcements. Our thoughts as a club go to the family of Gerwyn Williams, a long-standing and much-loved Scarlets fan who recently passed away. I am sure a lot of you will know Gerwyn’s wife Gail, who used to work in the club shop and his daughter Tracey, who works in our finance department. Condolences to you all.

Finally, congratulations to Huw Owens, the founder and managing director of Llanelli-based Owens Group, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours. Huw has been an incredible supporter of Welsh rugby, from grassroots through to the professional game and we are proud to wear the Owens Group logo on our shirt. This accolade is just reward for Huw’s contribution to our community.

Welcome to Cardiff Blues, their staff, coaches and players.

If the last meeting at the Cardiff City Stadium is anything to go by, this should be some game.

Stay safe Simon

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GLENN DELANEY

COACH’S MESSAGE A

warm hello to all our supporters out there ahead of this evening’s clash with Cardiff Blues. As a group - coaches, players and staff - we feel incredibly fortunate that we are able to go out there and do what we all love.

As you will know, this re-match against Cardiff Blues has been brought forward following the postponement of the final two pool rounds of Europe.

We have positioned ourselves strongly in the tournament and were looking forward to big matches against Toulon and Bath, but public health is paramount and everyone fully understands the current situation.

If this season has taught us anything it’s that we don’t really know what’s around the corner.

Thankfully, we have had a full round of negative Covid tests three weeks on the spin now. The one thing we have asked people behaviorally is to make sure everyone is taking care, not only in the work environment here but in their bubbles back home and we can certainly see that. We have 85-odd people in the rugby department here and trying to make sure everyone is safe and healthy is the key.

Once it was confirmed that Europe was off, the first thing we did as coaches was to get on the phone to see if we could get a game on. Normally, you are catching games up during a season so it’s great to have one brought forward and a brilliant thing for the PRO14 to get the best players on the field just a couple of weeks before the Six Nations.

Reflecting on that game in Cardiff a couple of weeks ago, even though we went down to 14 men we still felt we could have come away with the win, but after going ahead 20-18 we didn’t really manage the end of the match like we should have. We have prepared well this week and I am sure we can apply the lessons we learned from that game.

A warm welcome to the Blues players and staff and, of course, to Dai Young, who is back in the hot seat and someone I know very well.

Huge congratulations to the 11 Scarlets who have been named in the Welsh squad for the forthcoming Six Nations. In particular, I’m delighted for Josh Macleod who has been outstanding for us throughout my time here and was desperately unlucky to pick up an injury after being named in the national squad back in the autumn. Fingers crossed, he can win a thoroughly deserved first cap during the campaign. The boys will head into Wales camp next week with our best wishes and hopefully a spring in their step after tonight’s game.

Thanks again for your support, it is fantastic to see so many of you engaging with us on our social media channels.

Stay safe and we hope to see you soon.

Diolch Glenn

RYAN ELIAS

FRIENDLY RIVALS R

yan Elias and Ken Owens — two Carmarthen boys from the same grassroots club, scrapping it out for the same jersey for club and country.

It has the potential to be Box Office material, but don’t expect any fighting talk about this rivalry — it’s not going to happen.

“We’re just two Carmarthen Cowboys who get on well,” smiled Elias this week when asked about the impending return of the Scarlets skipper and British & Irish Lion.

That said, the No. 2 jersey won’t be handed over in scarlet ribbons, the 26-year-old is too much of a competitor for that to happen.

With Owens coming to the end of his recovery from shoulder surgery, Elias has been a standout figure in Scarlets colours in recent weeks.

He returned from the autumn campaign — a series that saw all of Wales’ hooking hopefuls come in for a bit of stick — with a steely determination and that has been evident in some typically abrasive displays against Bath in Europe and during derby season.

During this week’s media conference at Parc y Scarlets, head coach Glenn Delaney suggested Carmarthen Athletic RFC could well have another potential Lion on their roll of honour if Elias continues his trajectory.

As for the man himself, he is just focusing on the here and now having been named as one of eleven Scarlets in Wayne Pivac’s 36-man squad

for the forthcoming Guinness Six Nations.

“I have enjoyed having a run of games in the No. 2 jersey,” he said. “It has probably been the longest run since Youth rugby, it has been refreshing. It is a totally different mindset when you are starting compared to when you are on the bench. A lot of players tend to get a bit more nervous when they are on the bench because they are not used to it, whereas for me I am home there because that is where I have played most of my rugby!

“Obviously, I’d rather be in the two jersey than 16, but we’ll just see how it goes over the next few weeks.

“Myself and Ken are in direct competition and I want to make it as difficult as possible for him coming back, which is good for the squad, I guess.

“The relationship between us has never changed though, from when I was a pup coming through.

We are still two Carmarthen Cowboys who get on very well. We just try and keep each other on our toes.”

This evening, in the much-anticipated Guinness PRO14 rematch against Cardiff Blues, it is Elias who has the starting role with Owens set to make his first appearance since October as a replacement.

Elias will be keen to maintain his recent lofty standards while giving his former regional coach Pivac something to ponder ahead of the Championship opener against Ireland.

“It’s just good to be playing rather than having another week off,” added Elias, capped 16 times for Wales.

“Having played the Blues a couple of weeks ago and lost, hopefully we can put things right. It is not often you get the chance to do that so quickly. It is also good to keep the legs and the lungs ticking over.

“It is difficult when you have a period without playing, you can still train, but you can’t replicate the game, it is never the same as having a proper hit out.”

Scarlets will be keen to avenge their 29-20 loss at the Cardiff City Stadium earlier this month, a match that saw the visitors reduced to 14 men — not for the first time this season.

“It is something we have talked about,” admitted Elias.

“You look back at close games where we have come out at the wrong end and the stats have shown we have given away too many penalties, given teams piggy backs to our end of the field.

Yellow and red cards also make things difficult. It has something we have looked hard at.

“But we can take confidence from the fact we were still in the game even when we were down to 14 men. We can take that into this game, for sure.”

Having made his debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Saracens in 2013, Elias is in his eighth season at the Scarlets and already has

more than 120 appearances to his name.

A product of the prolific age-grade and Academy pathway, he is now witnessing first hand the next wave of promising young forwards coming through.

He added: “We have had a lot of injuries this season, particularly in the second row and that has given younger boys opportunities. The likes of Morgan Jones and Jac Price have come through and really put their hands up.

‘Same with the props’, Kemsley Mathias made his first PRO14 appearance the last time we played the Blues and showed up well. These boys are getting really good exposure, similar to what I had at their age and that stood me in good stead.

“The future looks bright for the Scarlets.”

“It is difficult when you have a period without playing, you can still train, but you can’t replicate the game, it is never the same as having a proper hit out.”

AUTOGRAPH PAGE SAM LOUSI

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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 11 SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 2021, CARDIFF CITY STADIUM, CARDIFF

Scarlets fall to defeat at Cardiff City Stadium

C

ardiff Blues prevented the Scarlets celebrating a hat-trick of Welsh derby victories, securing a 29-20 win in a see-sawing contest at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Scarlets were reduced to 14 men just before half-time when wing Liam Williams was dismissed for what the officials deemed an illegal clearout at a ruck.

But they still battled into a 20-18 lead midway through the second half, only for the Blues to finish the stronger.

Both sides went into the match stacked with international talent with the Scarlets able to welcome back Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams and Gareth Davies to their starting back-line.

It was the home side, though, who took an early lead through the boot of impressive fly-half Jarrod Evans.

The Scarlets responded in determined fashion carving out a well-worked try for skipper Jonathan Davies - his 50th in Scarlets colours.

After setting up an attack inside the home 22, the attack was switched cleverly and fly-half Dan Jones delayed a lovely pass to his centre, who burst through the attempted tackle of Matthew Morgan to cross.

Halfpenny added the conversion, but the home side hit back straight away with Evans setting up a score for centre Willis Halaholo.

After Gareth Davies was shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on, Evans extended the Blues’ lead, only for Jones to land three points with a well-judged kick from long range.

With the Blues half-backs Tomos Williams and Evans causing all sorts of problems, the home side were celebrating a second try four minutes before half-time; Ray Lee-Lo diving over in the corner after Evans had again made the incision.

The home fly-half converted, then moments before the break, Liam Williams was shown red for an incident at a ruck that saw him clash heads with Blues flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes as he attempted to clear out a ruck.

A penalty from Halfpenny reduced the arrears to 18-13 as the Scarlets started the second half strongly.

Gareth Davies then went close as Scarlets continued to press. Finally, the men from the west were rewarded just before the hour mark when No. 8 Sione Kalamafoni burst off the back of a close-range scrum to cross.

Halfpenny’s conversion put the Scarlets in front for the first time as the game remained in the balance.

Back came the Blues and Tomos Williams found space blindside to dart over for his side’s third tr then Steff Evans hacked through only for the ball to evade him with the line beckoning.

In the final minute with the Scarlets guilty of conceding a series of penalties, man-of-thematch Evans secured the contest with two more successful kicks at goal.

29 20 TRIES Halaholo 16’ Lee-lo 34’ Williams 65’

Davies 13 ’ Kalamafoni 57 ’

penalties/cons J. Evans 5’, 24’, 35’ 73’, 77’

D. Jones 33’ L. Halfpenny 14’, 44’, 58’

M. Morgan

15

L. Halfpenny

J. Adams

14

L. Williams

R. Lee-lo

13

J. Davies

W. Halaholo

12

J. Williams

H. Amos

11

S. Evans

J. Evans

10

D. Jones

T. Williams

09

G. Davies

C. Domachowski

1

P. Price

D. Lake

2

M. Jones

D. Arhip

3

P. Scholtz

J. Ratti

4

T. Ratuva

C. Hill

5

S. Lousi

S. Leiws-Hughes

6

B. Thomson

J. Botham

7

J. Macleod

J. Turnbull

8

S. Kalamafoni

WELSH RUGBY SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

Josh earns Wales call!

U

ncapped flanker Josh Macleod has been named as one of 11 Scarlets in Wales’ 36-man squad for the forthcoming 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign.

Macleod, who was forced to withdraw from the autumn squad because of a hamstring injury, is rewarded for his impressive form for the Scarlets over the last couple of seasons.

He is joined in the squad by Wyn Jones, Scarlets skipper Ken Owens, Ryan Elias, Jake Ball, Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Johnny Williams, Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny.

“We are hugely looking forward to meeting up as a squad on Monday and to the forthcoming campaign,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

“The Guinness Six Nations is an important tournament and we have selected a squad accordingly.

“As we consistently spoke about, the autumn for us was about opportunity and development, looking ahead to RWC 2023 and it served that purpose for us.

“This campaign is different, it is tournament rugby and we are excited to get going and to play our part.

“We have picked a squad for this tournament based on form and we are excited to meet up on Monday and to get our preparation underway.”

FLASHBACK

April 15, 2000 Back-rowers Simon Easterby and Ian Boobyer celebrate after the Scarlets see off Cardiff 22-3 in an all-Welsh Heineken Cup play-off at Stradey Park. In a niggly, bruising contest, second row Chris Wyatt crossed for the lone try of the match with fly-half Stephen Jones contributing 17 points. Scarlets went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition, only to lose out in heartbreaking fashion to Northampton Saints at Reading’s Madejski Stadium.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Huw Evans Picture Agencyphy

FROM THE PRESS ROOM

Glenn Delaney previews blues Glenn Delaney spoke to the media ahead of Friday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Cardiff Blues.

Here are the highlights from the press conference.

How much are you looking forward to this swift return against the Blues?

GD: “It is an opportunity and we’ve got to take it. We are preparing well and we looked pretty hard and correctly at the game we played in Cardiff. We obviously had a red card and the sanction has come out so there is some behavioral change in that area, being responsible about things. The fact of the matter is we still went 20-18 up but didn’t manage the back end of the game. I would still back us to manage that even with 14 men. We have learned a lot from it and you can’t stand still, as long as we are taking things from the game that apply. We have another chance and we are looking forward to it. This is wonderfully proactive from the PRO14, getting this game on with the best players on the field. Hopefully it will fuel a lot of interest.”

Do you expect an immediate impact from Dai Young?

GD: “It is great to have Dai back in the game, I have known him a long time and he is a good rugby man, a Cardiff man through and through.

We have caught up a couple of times and he is enjoying being back in the hot seat. They will be focusing on what they can bring to this contest and we are no different.”

What is the latest on your injured players?

GD: “We’ll start with Rhys Patchell and Aaron Shingler. Both are making definite improvements.

Rhys is in our return-to-play group, we have a plan over the next six weeks to see how we can keep extending him, getting him up into training and into games. That is well under control, he is in and around the environment and contributing.”

“Shings is making real progress. We have worked through probably the toughest bit and now it is about reconditioning him. He is running three to four times a week. Like Patch, he is a great man

to have about and you can just see the spark is back, he knows he has been through a pretty tough journey and is on the way back. Obviously, it is a fluid situation. We need to get a decent baseline for Aaron over the next four weeks, it is almost like a pre-season for him. We have to look after him the right way. “ “Ken Owens is in full training and has a real spring in his step. It is good to have him back in full training, he is very much in contention this week. “Jake Ball is also in training and we have to make the right call with Jake. We want to make sure he is fit and firing before we pull the trigger.

Johnny McNicholl is also back in training after having to isolate because of close contact stuff “Rob Evans, Samson Lee and James Davies are all working their way back through concussion issues.

We have to be unbelievably responsible on this and our duty is a duty of care to the players. The seriousness of this is enormous and we do take it deadly seriously. The care around the players is better than the game has ever had and that’s the way it should be. There is no pressure on a return date for any of the guys.”

Can Scarlets fans expect you to fill the spaces left by the departures of Jake Ball and Tevita Ratuva?

GD: “We are on that case now. You have to look at the calibre of individuals leaving, they are big holes to fill. We have a wonderful process where the likes of Morgan Jones, Jac Price, Josh Helps, Danny Drake are coming through, but we are looking at the balance of the group. We are losing a lot of experience with Jake and a lot of athleticism with Tevita. For me as a coach that is an area where we are definitely looking at strengthening.”

N U M

b y

50 13

tries scored by Jonathan Davies in Scarlets colours

clean breaks made by Steff Evans in the PRO14 this season. The second highest

101

H U N D R E D A N D O N E

amount of players Scarlets have used in the opening 10 rounds of the PRO14 campaign

caries made by Sione Kalamafoni so far in the PRO14. Second only to Ulster’s Marcell Coetzee

50

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HERE’S TO THE NEXT ROUND

EVERY FIXTUR EVERY TRY EVERY TACKLE

GUINNESS PRO14 CONFERENCES COnFERENCE A - ADRAN A PL

W

D

L

PF

PA

DIFF

TF

TA

TB

LB

PTS

1

Ulster Rugby

11

10

0

1

335 180

155

45

24

6

0

46

2

Leinster Rugby

9

8

0

1

331 126

205

48

15

9

0

41

3

Ospreys

10

5

0

5

189 197

-8

20

23

0

2

22

4

Glasgow Warriors

10

3

0

7

177 222

-45

21

27

0

3

15

5

Dragons

9

3

6

Zebre Rugby

10

3

1

Munster Rugby

9

8

ALL IN ONE APP 0

1

264 156

108

31

15

4

1

37

2

Connacht Rugby

9

5

0

4

228 197

31

31

25

4

2

26

3

Scarlets Rugby

10

5

0

5

165 162

3

16

16

1

3

24

4

Cardiff Blues

11

5

0

6

161 193

-32

18

21

1

1

22

5

Edinburgh Rugby

9

3

0

6

139 213

-74

16

27

1

2

15

6

Benetton Rugby

9

0

0

9

145 231

-86

19

28

0

4

4

0

6

148 223

-75

16

28

1

1

14

0

7

147 329 -182

14

46

0

1

13

COnFERENCE B - ADRAN B PL

W

D

L

PF

PA

DIFF

TF

TA

TB

LB

PTS

CARDIFF BLUES

TODAY’S OPPOSITION A

familiar face, but a fresh start - the new Dai Young era has begun at the Arms Park.

After close to 18 years as a Cardiff player and then coach, it is fair to say the former Wales and Lions prop wouldn’t have needed the normal first day at the office tour when he pitched up for work this week.

Someone who has long been part of the furniture in the Welsh capital, Young is now back at the helm following the departure of John Mulvihill.

His first challenge will be to ensure his side build on their 29-20 win over the Scarlets at the Cardiff City Stadium a couple of weeks ago, a morale-lifting triumph built on a gritty, physical edge and decorated by an X-factor display from fly-half Jarrod Evans.

“It was great to see the Blues going out and play like a lot of people say they can play,” said Young this week.

“There was a real attacking intent and they went out to win the game. That’s important. We can’t sit back and hope we don’t lose the game, we have to go out to win.

“There was a real clear intent from the word go and they matched Scarlets physically. They went shoulder-

to-shoulder with them. You won’t win any game unless you stand up physically. And then they had the intent to play with decent tempo and scored some good tries.

“It’s never perfect. You’ll never get a game that’s perfect, but it was certainly a real step in the right direction and they’ve set a standard for themselves.

They’ve seen how they can play and now they have to maintain that and improve on that.”

It’s one win apiece between the Welsh rivals since lockdown with the Scarlets enjoying a 32-12 victory at Parc y Scarlets back in August.There are also just two points between the sides in the Guinness PRO14 Conference B standings, although the Scarlets do have a game in hand.

HEAD TO HEAD MEETINGS

39

SCARLETS WINS

24

BLUES WINS

15

DRAWS

0

PREVIOUS MATCHES

CARDIFF BLUES SCARLETS

29 20

JAN 09, 2021 (CARDIFF CITY STADIUM)

SCARLETS CARDIFF BLUES

32 12

AUG 22, 2020 (PARC Y SCARLETS)

CARDIFF BLUES

JOSH

ADAMS

AGE

25

TOMOS

WI LLI AMS

AGE

26

POSITION: WING

POSITION: SCRUM-HALF

TEST CAPS: 29 (WALES)

TEST CAPS: 20 (WALES)

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 10

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 70

PRO14 TRIES: 4

PRO14 TRIES: 8

STRENGTHS: POWER AND PACE, THE HENDY MAN HAS ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS ONE OF THE BEST FINISHERS IN EUROPEAN RUGBY

STRENGTHS: A NINE WITH X-FACTOR QUALITY WHO KNOWS THE WAY TO THE TRY-LINE

JA R RO D

EVANS

AGE

24

JOSH

TURNBULL

AGE

32

POSITION: FLY-HALF

POSITION: BACK ROW

TEST CAPS: 6 (WALES)

TEST CAPS: 10 (WALES)

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 59

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 199

PRO14 TRIES: 329 (4 TRIES)

PRO14 TRIES: 12

STRENGTHS: DAZZLED IN THE WIN OVER THE SCARLETS IN CARDIFF. POTENT RUNNING THREAT

STRENGTHS: VERSATILE EX-SCARLET WHO ALWAYS BRINGS HIS A GAME AGAINST HIS FORMER SIDE

EUROPEAN CUP UPDATE

Scarlets set for Euro knockout tie

S

carlets are set to face an away tie in the knockout stages of this season’s Covidhit Heineken Champions Cup.

The final two rounds of the European pool stages have been temporarily postponed by tournament organisers EPCR, although it looks increasingly unlikely that the matches against Toulon and Bath will be played.

Instead, according to media reports, we are set for a round of 16 in April with the top eight sides in Conference A and B qualifying for the remainder of the tournament.

The Scarlets currently sit in fifth in Conference A and although nothing has been officially confirmed, they could face either the fourthplaced side in their conference, French highflyers La Rochelle, or fourth in Conference B, Munster.

The format is set to be officially confirmed by EPCR imminently.

Following a directive from the French authorities that the participation of TOP 14 clubs in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup constitutes

too great a public health risk, EPCR made the decision to suspend the competition last week.

It followed a meeting between EPCR and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, along with representatives of the French ministries of the Interior, Health and Sport, as well as of the President’s office.

Notable updates to EPCR’s Covid-19 protocols were presented to the French authorities, including the addition of PCR tests no earlier than three days before matches in the tournaments, conforming to French government guidelines and supplementing the existing, meticulous contact tracing measures put in place with a view to limiting the risk of transmission.

But against the backdrop of the recent detection of a new strain of coronavirus, the French government directed that French clubs postpone their participation in EPCR’s tournaments for the month of January.

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ONCE A SCARLET ALWAYS A SCARLETS

Wyn Jones signs new deal to stay a Scarlet!

W

ales international prop Wyn Jones has signed a new contract to stay at the Scarlets. Firmly established as one of Welsh rugby’s leading loose-heads, the 28-year-old recently made his 100th appearance in Scarlets colours.

Hailing from Llandovery, Jones played for his home town club the Drovers in the Welsh Premiership before making his Scarlets debut in 2014.

He has since gone on to win 30 caps for Wales and was a member of the Scarlets squad that lifted the Guinness PRO12 title four years ago.

“It is nice to be able to stay at my home region and play good rugby with a good group of boys. I am enjoying my rugby at the moment, it is a great environment to be part of, so it was an easy decision to re-sign,” said Wyn, now in his eighth season with the Scarlets.

“The squad here is as strong as I can remember, a great mix of experience and youngsters who are putting their hands up and we have ambitions to compete with the best in the PRO14 and in Europe.

“It was a proud moment for me to make my 100th appearance a few weeks ago and I feel that at the age of 28 there is plenty more

to come from me and hopefully plenty more matches in a Scarlets jersey.”

First capped on the summer tour of 2017 against Tonga, Jones was Wales’ first-choice loose-head at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

A powerful scrummager with a strong work-rate in the loose, he has been an integral part of the Scarlets pack and head coach Glenn Delaney is delighted that one of his key forwards has put pen to paper on a new deal.

“It is fantastic news on the back of Wyn reaching a 100 appearances for us. He is Wales’s loose-head and it’s brilliant that Wyn wants to stay, sees value in staying here and that he is looking to progress and get better again,” he said.

“He is a great bloke to have around the place, we love his personality, he is full of energy and right at the heart of everything that we are doing here. Having senior props like Wyn around to show the youngsters the way is really important, it is what we are trying to build.”

The Scarlets will be making further contract announcements over the coming weeks with a number of key players having re-signed ahead of next season.

These clubs have chosen Macron

Contact us for a quotation LLANELLI: Parc Y Scarlets - Pemberton retail park - Llanelli SA149UZ T: 07800634264 info@macronstorellanelli.com

MELERI WILLIAMS

CODI LLAIS E

r nad yw’n cefnogwr yr wythnos hon yn siarad Cymraeg, mae ganddi gysylltiad Celtaidd ac mae ei stori’n werth ei rhannu!

Daw Annemarie Kennedy (neu Mrs K fel mae pawb yn ei hadnabod) o Ayrshire yn yr Alban. Ers i Annemarie ddechrau cefnogi’r Scarlets chwe blynedd yn ôl, mae bellach yn dal tocyn tymor ac yn teithio 800 o filltiroedd i Barc y Scarlets a ‘nôl!

‘I travel down to see Scarlets as often as I can but not as often as I’d like. It’s a round trip of just under 800 miles, so it’s a bit of an undertaking, especially if I hit the M4 at rush hour. All worth it though, and I start smiling as soon as I see the signs for Llanelli.’

Roedd dod i Barc y Scarlets am y tro cyntaf yn brofiad emosiynol i Annemarie...

‘My first memory of Scarlets is my first time at PYS. I was so excited that when I met Aaron Shingler in the barn I was actually crying.

Going into our beautiful stadium for the first time gave me chills that have never gone away. Now, when I’m down in Llanelli the first thing I do is drive past the Parc and say hello and the last thing I do is drive past saying goodbye. Usually crying, but there you go.’

Ac fel y rhanfwyaf o gyfranwyr Codi Llais, mae hoff atgof Annemarie’n mynd â ni dros y dwr i Ddulyn...

‘My favourite memory is winning the Pro 12.

Singing Yma o hyd after the game with all the hundreds of other Scarlets was like being in church. What a weekend that was.’

A thri gair sy’n bwysig i Annemarie wrth feddwl am y Scarlets?

‘Family. Community. Home.’

Mae’r cyfnodau clo wedi profi’n anodd i bawb wrth beidio a gallu bod yn y dorf yn Llanelli...

‘What I miss most about not being in Parc y Scarlets now is the people. The best thing about being a Scarlet is other Scarlets. My seat pals Mary, John, Elin and Graham have been so kind and welcoming, I miss their wee faces.’

A beth am ddyfodol y Cochion i Annemarie?

‘In the future I hope to see Scarlets successful in Europe and domestically, but I never want to see us put money before people.’

Braint yw cael cefnogi’r Scarlets iddi...

‘It’s a privilege to be a Scarlet and we must never forget that.’

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

KICKING NETS

GETTING AN EXTRA KICK OUT OF TRAINING!

S

carlets have been using innovative new kicking nets to help their goal-kickers hone their skills.

The nets, supplied by the School of Kicking, have been used during the lockdown periods by the players to fine-tune their technique while at home.

They have also proven a great aid to the kickers on the training field.

Scarlets backs coach Dai Flanagan explained: “During the times when the players have been in lockdown and unable to train as a group, we have been able to supply these kicking nets for them to use at home.

They are easy to set up and they also save time retrieving the ball when you are training alone.

“The nets have allowed players to continue to get better each day, develop their skills and keep their kicking volume to reduce the risk of injury on return to playing. They are also great to warm up the kicker with some light kicks before going into the sessions.”

For more information on the kicking nets go to schoolofkicking.com

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SCARLETS IN TRAINING

Pics from the training field

Llanelli Scarlets v Cardiff Blues Saturday, OCT 18, 2003, Stradey Park, CELTIC LEAGUE

FROM THE VAULT A

magnificent display of goal kicking from fly-half Gareth Bowen inspired the Scarlets to a fourth Celtic League victory of the season at Stradey Park.

Bowen finished with a personal haul of 25 points, comprising seven penalties and two conversions, in an unblemished performance with the boot which took the home side to third spot in the league table.

The scoreline flattered the Scarlets, who had actually trailed going into the final quarter, but the Blues pressed the self-destruct button late on and Bowen gratefully obliged to do the rest for the home side.

Scarlets welcomed back No. 8 Scott Quinnell after a five-week absence with a neck injury and it did not take long for the British Lion to find his feet with a couple of trademark charges.

One brought to earth by a thumping tackle by younger brother Craig - himself returning to the Blues line-up following a six-week suspension.

After a scrappy opening it was the Scarlets who were first on the scoreboard with a Bowen penalty after eight minutes.

The Blues, who had dominated the early territory and possession responded with a try by skipper and lock Andy Moore following a fine break by fly-half Nicky Robinson.

Robinson’s boot and a 75-yard interception try by wing Lee Abdul appeared to put the visitors in control, but the home side hit back strongly before the interval with a well-worked try for centre Matthew Watkins and two penalties by Bowen to reduce the deficit to 20-16.

It was both kickers who dominated in the second half with the Blues being punished for their indiscipline by Scarlets’ outstanding number 10.

The Blues also had Quinnell sin-binned for ballkilling just as flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor had been in the first half.

A late try by wing Tal Selley put a gloss on the final result and the final word went fittingly to Bowen with a magnificent penalty from the halfway line.

Llanelli Scarlets 35 Cardiff Blues 20

Scarlets - Tries: M. Watkins, T. Selley; Cons: G. Bowen (2); Pens: G. Bowen (7) Blues - Tries: L. Abdul, A. Moore; Cons: N. Robinson (2); Pens: N Robinson (2) Referee: Tony Redmond (Ireland)

LLANELLI Scarlets Barry Davies; Tal Selley, Matthew J Watkins, Leigh Davies (capt), Salesi Finau; Gareth Bowen, Dale Burn; Phil John, Rhys Williams, John Davies, Adam Jones, Vernon Cooper, Emyr Lewis, Ian Boobyer, Scott Quinnell.

Replacements: David Maddocks, Adam Yelland, James Griffiths, Gareth Williams, Mike Phillips, Ceiron Thomas, Richard Rees.

CARDIFF Blues Craig Morgan; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Matt Allen, Lee Abdul; Nick Robinson, Andrew Moore; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Craig Quinnell, Andy Moore (capt), Jim Brownrigg, Robin SowdenTaylor, Nathan Thomas.

Replacements: Kenneth Fourie, Andrew Lewis, Dan McShane, Rob Appleyard, James Malpas, Ryan Powell, Gareth McCarthy.

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY

WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN

PRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR

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APPLY NOW YMGEISIWCH NAWR

FROM THE ACADEMY

QUESTION AND ANSWERS TAL REES Age:

Favourite app:

17

Instagram

School:

Random fact about you:

Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth

My full name is Evan Taliesin Rees

Sporting hero:

Best Netflix/Amazon Prime recommendation:

Dan Carter Top three pre-match songs: Lose Yourself, Power, Levels Favourite music artist: Arctic Monkeys Dream holiday: New Zealand Biggest fear/phobia: Spiders

Luther Best and worst haircut in the academy: Harry Breeze - Worst: Lewis Morgan

OWAIN BADGER

THOUGHTS FROM THE HALFWAY O

n the whole referees have had an easy time of it during the current Covid affected season. They have had to keep to the same strict restrictions as the teams and coaches but they have officiated in front of empty grounds.

No chants of “come on referee” or shouts of “off, off, off” when a visiting player transgresses in front of a baying, partisan crowd. These days we can only sit and shout at the telly. The referee can make his decision in peace.

That has never bothered Nigel Owens, probably the best rugby referee to have come from West Wales.

He has just retired from refereeing international rugby after taking charge of a 100 Tests and will probably leave the club scene this year.Whether it’s refereeing in a seething biased cauldron of eighty thousand supporters in Paris or cavernous and empty stadiums this season Nigel has always remained cool under pressure . He comes to a fair decision despite the crowd sometimes baying for his blood.

Like a lot a referees he has his idiosyncrasies.Nigel has mastered the microphone .We can now hear the referee taking to the players in almost every game .His comments and quips stand out and are respected by players and spectators and viewers alike. He is also quite happy to make his comments in Welsh to some players, which must make S4C happy.

Like Clive Norling before him, who was the pioneer of the quip, he keeps the spectators engaged. They are both part of a long line of world-class referees to have come from West Wales. Derek Bevan, like Nigel, refereed a World Cup final.

Before that there was Gwyn Walters who was hailed as one of the best referees in the World in the sixties.

His hallmark was that he always seemed to referee in a blazer. Just to show that not all referees had to look like school prefects, Ron Lewis of Maesteg is fondly remembered refereeing at Stradey in a woollen jumper.

At some point in their whistle blowing careers they all had to make controversial decisions.

Perhaps one of the most controversial involved the Scarlets.In October 1947 they played the touring Australia team at Stradey, who were incidentally the last touring team to travel to Britain and Ireland by ship. The referee for the Scarlets game was Ivor David from Neath, a highly-respected official who had been in charge of many internationals.

It was a rough game, particularly among the forwards, and in the second half Ivor David decided that enough was enough and he sent off Colin Windon, the Australian forward and vice captain. Even the vociferous Scarlet fans were surprised.

The rugby establishment didn’t take kindly to the decision, reasoning it wasn’t the “done thing” to send off a tourist. But Ivor David stuck to his guns and was convinced he had made the right call.

He was lucky that it wasn’t a Llanelli player hadn’t been sent off because the Scarlets fans had never hesitated in voicing their opinion.

In March 1899 Swansea were the opponents at Stradey. The referee, Ben Tiley of Mountain Ash, sent off two Scarlet forwards for using ungentlemanly language. He must have lived in a parallel universe as swear words were and are part and parcel of the heat of the game. The crowd were incensed. At the final whistle after the Scarlets had lost 8-0 there was nearly a riot as angry supporters surrounded Mr Tiley. The police had to intervene.

Indeed, in those early seasons of the first-class game, grounds including Stradey, The Gnoll and Aberavon were closed for months because of fans’ behaviour toward match officials.

I’m sure that Mr. Tiley and his fellow referees would have been more than happy to play under the present restrictions. “What no crowds?” they would have muttered. “I’ll take that.”

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T O D A Y ’ S V I R T U A L

MASCOT

NAME: Dalton Mayhew AGE: 8 CLUB: Pembroke U8s School: Monkton Priory School Favourite player: WYN JONES

Clubs and schools show their colours!

T

he Scarlets Community Foundation has launched a new community hub in the heart of the ZipWorld Stand and we want to keep it growing!

At the moment, 33 grassroots clubs and schools have their playing jerseys, T-shirts, banners and flags draped over seats to keep the flag flying for the community game.

Rhodri Jones of the Scarlets Community Foundation explained: “Our community clubs are an integral part of the Scarlets region and we would like to keep them involved in any way we can.

“Normally, the place would be full of junior teams involved in our tag rugby, pre-match parade or guard of honour. Having the club zone at least gives them the opportunity to show off their colours in our stands in a different way to when they are usually here.

“Hopefully, it won’t be long before we are welcoming them to Parc y Scarlets again.”

The schools involved so far are Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Penllwyn, Ysgol Trimsaran.

Model Church School in Wales, Pennar Community

School, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Ysgol Llangynnwr, Ysgol Harri Tudur, Ysgol Uchraf Aberteifi, Ysgol Brynsierfel, Milford Haven School, Ysgol Pontyberem, Ysgol Penweddig, Ysgol y Castell, Ysgol T Llew Jones, Ysgol Saron, Ysgol Pum Heol Clubs Felinfoel RFC, Carmarthen Athletic RFC, Amman United RFC, St Clears RFC, Ammanford RFC, Llanelli Warriors, Whitland Ladies RFC, Llanelli Wanderers RFC, Haverfordwest RFC, Llandybie RFC, Aberystwyth RFC, Scarlets Ladies, Llanelli RFC, Carmarthen Quins RFC, Llandovery RFC, Narberth RFC, Whitland RFC.

nce again, the Crys16 Board has been busy behind the scenes planning for the forthcoming months.

O

Finally, we have a quick update on the Stradey Gates and are delighted that the fully galvanised gates have arrived back in Parc y Scarlets.

We were thrilled to be able to support the club in a small way during this pandemic by becoming the player sponsor of young hooker Dom Booth.

We are currently awaiting their installation before the plaques will be added and the restoration will be completed, so keep an eye out for further updates on the Crys16 social media.

Following on from this decision, discussions were held as to how we could possibly offer more support and you may be aware that in the run-up to Christmas, we set up a crowdfunding ‘Sponsor a Scarlet’ to enable supporters to get involved in sponsoring a player too. To say we were overwhelmed by the response is an understatement.

We hoped to raise enough to sponsor one more player, but thanks to your generosity, we raised a staggering £3,190.

Many thanks to each and every one of you who contributed - diolch o galon i chi gyd.

We will be announcing in the coming weeks the players that we have sponsored.

We also have some more virtual Zoom events lined up with a ‘Meet the Management’ hopefully being announced soon.

Following the success of our inaugural ‘Meet the Legends’ evening, we are in the process of organising a second Legends event with past club favourites and we are also looking to set up the ever-popular ‘Meet the Referee’.

If you would like to become a member of Crys16 please contact Crys16.cymru, and if you’re a season ticket holder, membership is free!

NEW 2020/21 HOME & ALTERNATE SHIRTS

SCARLETS MACRON SHOP Parc y Scarlets T: 01554 783932

Jarrad GRIFFITHS Head Performance Analyst Pennaeth Dadansoddi Perfformiad

Head of Medical Services /Pennaeth Gwasanaethau Meddygol

General manager of rugby Rheolwr Cyffredinol Rygbi

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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Head Coach Prif Hyfforddwr

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COACHING AND RUGBY STAFF 2020-21

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

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shaun EVANS

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samuel costelow

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

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

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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

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thomas phillips

lk

tevita retuva

hk

taylor davies

w

STEFFAN EVANS

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pr

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

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ctr

tyler morgan

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tomi leiws

FB

thomas rogers

tOM prydie

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23/02/92

17/12/98

17/01/99

11/09/95

17/03/90

@tomprydie @tomprydie 193CM 93KG

@tomrogers007 @tomrog15 185CM 91KG

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PIETER SCHOLTZ

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wyn jones

sh

william homer

werner kruger

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

Date

Co

v

Opponents

Scarlets

Result

Score

T

C

P

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

T

C

P

3

3

3

2

2

2

D

OCTOBER 2020 Sat 3

P14

H

Munster

L

27-30

Sun 11

P14

A

Glasgow

L

20-07

1

1

9

Fri 23

P14

A

Benetton

W

03-10

1

1

L

03-06

1

1

5

1

2

3

NOVEMBER 2020 Sun 1

P14

H

Edinburgh

Sun 8

P14

H

Zebre

W

18-17

2

1

2

Sat 14

P14

A

Connacht

W

14-20

3

1

1

Sun 22

P14

A

Ulster

L

26-24

Sun 29

P14

H

Leinster

P

N/A

-

-

-

3

8 2

2

-

-

5 5

5

4 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

DECEMBER 2020 Sat 12

ERC

A

Bath Rugby

W

19-23

2

1

Fri 18

ERC

H

RC Toulon

W

28-0

4

4

Sat 26

P14

A

Ospreys

W

14-16

1

1

3

2

5

3 -

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11

JANUARY 2021 Fri 1

P14

H

Dragons

W

20-3

2

2

2

Sat 9

P14

A

Cardiff Blues

L

29-20

2

2

2

Fri 15

ERC

A

RC Toulon

P

N/A

-

-

-

Sat 23

ERC

H

Bath Rugby

P

-

-

-

Fri 22

P14

H

Cardiff Blues

Sat 30

P14

H

Leinster

P14

Guinness Pro14

ERC

European Champions Cup

1 3

1

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

Win

3

L

Lose

D

Draw

P

Postponed

27 2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Started match -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5 -

-

5

5

10

5

5 13 5 5

-

-

Used as a replacement

5 5 5

7 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. 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, FRI 22 JAN 2021 KO 8:00PM STARTING XV LEIGH HALFPENNY

T

C

P

D

15

T

C

P

D

MATTHEW MORGAN

JOHNNY MCNICHOLL

T

C

P

D

14

T

C

P

D

JOSH ADAMS

JONATHAN DAVIES ©

T

C

P

D

13

T

C

P

D

REY LEE-LO

JOHNNY WILLIAMS

T

C

P

D

12

T

C

P

D

WILLIS HALAHOLO

STEFF EVANS

T

C

P

D

11

T

C

P

D

HALLAM AMOS

DAN JONES

T

C

P

D

10

T

C

P

D

JARROD EVANS

GARETH DAVIES

T

C

P

D

9

T

C

P

D

TOMOS WILLIAMS

WYN JONES

T

C

P

D

1

T

C

P

D

COREY DOMACHOWSKI

RYAN ELIAS

T

C

P

D

2

T

C

P

D

LIAM BELCHER

JAVAN SEBASTIAN

T

C

P

D

3

T

C

P

D

DMITRI ARHIP

JAKE BALL

T

C

P

D

4

T

C

P

D

SEB DAVIES

SAM LOUSI

T

C

P

D

5

T

C

P

D

CORY HILL ©

BLADE THOMSON

T

C

P

D

6

T

C

P

D

JOSH TURNBULL

JOSH MACLEOD

T

C

P

D

7

T

C

P

D

JAMES BOTHAM

SIONE KALAMAFONI

T

C

P

D

8

T

C

P

D

ALUN LAWRENCE

KEN OWENS

T

C

P

D

16

T

C

P

D

KRISTIAN DACEY

PHIL PRICE

T

C

P

D

17

T

C

P

D

RHYS CARRE

WERNER KRUGER

T

C

P

D

18

T

C

P

D

DILLON LEWIS

TEVITA RATUVA

T

C

P

D

19

T

C

P

D

RORY THORNTON

UZAIR CASSIEM

T

C

P

D

20

T

C

P

D

JOSH NAVIDI

KIERAN HARDY

T

C

P

D

21

T

C

P

D

LLOYD WILLIAMS

ANGUS O’BRIEN

T

C

P

D

22

T

C

P

D

BEN THOMAS

STEFF HUGHES

T

C

P

D

23

T

C

P

D

ALED SUMMERHILL

replacements

match officials REFEREE: ADAM JONES (WRU) AR1: NIGEL OWENS (WRU) AR2: BEN WHITEHOUSE (WRU) TMO: IAN DAVIES (WRU)

ALBERT TANNER CEFNogwr

Y GAIR OLAF B

ob hyn a hyn wi’n lico cael cyfle i ddweud fy nweud (neu “rant” fel ma’r wraig yn ei alw fe) am ambell newid bydde’n gwella rygbi fel sbectacl i’r cefnogwyr. Does fawr o amheuaeth erbyn hyn bod y gêm wedi mynd naill ai yn “slygffest” diflas neu’n “gicffest” di-bwrpas. A ma’ hynny fel tân ar groen cefnogwyr y Scarlets sy’n ymfalchïo mewn rygbi creadigol ac agored. I hen ddeinosôr fel fi, ma’ rhai pethe’n llawn mor bwysig, os nad yn bwysicach, nag ennill.

Beth am ddyfeisio ffordd o osgoi’r nonsens sy’n digwydd yn ardal y dacl ar hyn o bryd?

Rhywbeth sy’n arafu’r whare a rhoi gormod o amser i’r amddiffyn ail-ffurfio, ac yn arwain yn ei dro at mwy o rygbi bish-bash-bosh neu gico ping pong diddiwedd.

Yr ateb, gyfeillion, yw dod nôl â’r ryc traddodiadol – chwech blaenwr wedi ymrwymo yn ei gilydd yn mynd mewn i ardal y dacl ac yn gyrru dros y bel. Bydde’n rhaid i bob un aros ar eu trâd i yrru drosodd, a pheth hawdd fydde gweld pwy sydd ddim yn gwneud hynny. Dim “peil yp”. Bydde bywyd y dyfarnwr yn haws hefyd achos bydde dim rhaid i hwnnw geisio dyfalu pwy sydd ar eu traed a phwy sy’n jyst gorwedd at ben cyrff wharaewyr eraill.

O’i wneud yn iawn bydde’r bel ar gael yn syth i’r mewnwr i wneud rhywbeth â hi yn lle potshan am rhyw hanner munud a mwy fel ma’ nhw ar hyn o bryd. A’r canlyniad? Creu lle ar draws y cae - lle i’r cefnwyr dangos eu doniau. Dyna beth sy’n dod â’r cefnogwyr ar eu traed nid rhes o flaenwyr yn trïo ail-godi wal Berlin ar draws y cae.

Mae’n siwr bydd yna ambell Dowtin’ Thomas yn rhywle yn dadle bod y ryc traddodiadol yn rhy beryglus. Wedi’r cyfan dyna pam gelon nhw wared arno yn y lle cynta’. Ac fe feta i swllt neu ddau y byddan nhw (os odyn nhw’n ddigon hen i gofio) yn rhoi dwy enghraifft i gyfiawnhau hynny. Y cynta’ yw’r 30 pwyth oedd eu hangen ar J P R Williams ar ôl iddo fe gael sylw gan sgidie John Ashworth prop y Cryse Duon yn1978.

Trosedd na chafodd Ashworth unrhyw gosb amdano, gyda llaw.

A’r ail yw’r anaf yr un mor ddifrifol a ddioddefodd blaenwr Richmond a Lloegr, Chris Ralston, yn erbyn Llanelli yn 1978.

Penderfynodd pwyllgor y Scarlets wahardd pob un o’r blaenwyr am gyfnod byr. Ni enwyd y troseddwr (er ma’ pawb yn gwbod pwy oedd e erbyn hyn) ac ni wharaeoedd y ddau glwb yn erbyn ei gilydd byth wedyn.

Ond y pwynt pwysig yw taw nid ryc oedd yn gyfrifol am yr anafiade hynny. Whare brwnt ac anghyfreithlon oedd yn gyfrifol. Gyda’r holl gamerâu, dau ddyfarnwr cynorthwyol a’r TMO bydde unrhyw awgrym o’r math yna o whare yn arwain at gerdyn coch yn syth, a gwaharddiad hir - neu am oes hyd yn oed.

Bydde ryc cyfreithlon yn creu lle, a hynny ar gyflymder, a chael gwared ar y “jackal” a’r “neck roll” a’r holl bethe negyddol sydd wedi llethu’r gêm yn rhy hir.

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