Scarlets v Dragons Matchday Programme

v DRAGONS 01.01.21 k.o. 17:15

issue / rhifyn 6

rhaglen diwrnod gêm swyddogol 20-21

SCARLETS 20-21 official matchday programme

MAIN SPONSORS | PRIF NODDWYR

KIT PARTNERS | PARTNERIAID Y CIT

PARTNERS | PARTNERIAID

FM • DA B • Online

SCARLETS LADIES | MENYWOD Y SCARLETS

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 DRAGONS rugby 01.01.21 KO 17:15

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: Wyn Jones

16

Derby bragging rights in the bag

38

On the road with the Community Foundation

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

48

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

A bright new adventure. Introducing the Rainbow Cup

MAKE IT A GAME YO U ’ L L R E M E M B E R .

MODERATE YOUR DRINKING. MAKE YOUR NEXT PINT TAP WATER.

SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE

#GUINNESSCLEAR

Simon Muderack

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

H

appy New Year to you all as we welcome in 2021 with the hope that the rugby landscape can return to what we all know and love very soon.

The last 12 months have been as challenging as we have experienced in the history of our proud club. It has been tough for everyone having to adapt to the changes that Covid-19 has brought about.

But through it all, the strength and resilience of the Scarlets family continues to shine through — we will all get through this together.

At the moment, the spread of the virus means we are unable to plan a date when you, our supporters, can be safely allowed back into Parc y Scarlets.

All I can ask is that you continue to support the boys with the same passion and fervour as you always have and that day will come.

It promises to be an exciting year ahead as we look forward to the forthcoming Rainbow Cup and the addition of the four top South African sides into a new PRO14 tournament. We will be playing against world-class players at some of the best venues in the game; the South African quartet will also bring with them fresh commercial opportunities. It is a competition we are looking forward to embracing.

I have to say a big thanks to the staff at Parc y Scarlets for putting everything in place at such short notice to host last week’s Boxing Day clash against the Ospreys. For a match that produces so much passion and rivalry on and off the field, it was

strange to see the empty stands — perhaps more so than ever — but the match certainly didn’t lack in intensity and full credit to the boys for the way they battled back in the second half. It was another great show of character that sums up the spirit and togetherness of this group of players.

You will have read that Jake Ball will be leaving us at the end of the season and heading back to Australia after nine years here at the Scarlets.

Jake has sacrificed a huge amount while his wife Christie and their children have been across the other side of the world these last few months. He is the ultimate professional who has given so much to the Scarlets cause. Family means everything to this club and everyone here fully respects Jake’s decision and wishes him well. Judging by his performance on Boxing Day, he is looking forward to going out with a bang!

A warm welcome to our friends at the Dragons, their coaches, players and staff this evening for what promises to be another keenly-contested Welsh derby.

To our fans, stay safe and stay connected.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.

GET INVOLVED

FOLLOW

ALL THE ACTION @PRO14Official

@PRO14Official

@PRO14Official

@PRO14Rugby

@PRO14Rugby

@PRO14Rugby

GLENN DELANEY

COACH’S MESSAGE B

lwyddyn Newydd Dda! A new year that will hopefully reunite us all very soon here at Parc y Scarlets.

We weren’t at our best against the Ospreys on Boxing Day, but these boys once again showed how much character there is in this squad to come away with the derby win.

We enjoyed the victory, it is always nice to get one over our nearest and dearest, but there was a big part of the occasion missing, the supporters.

I have spoken a lot about this, but I think it is important to keep talking about it.

Last year, there were 15,000 packed into Parc y Scarlets and the atmosphere was electric, it was something I have never experienced before and I have been around the block a bit!

We are all realising the game is played for the supporters to come to watch, it is you guys who bring the energy, you guys who ride the highs and lows with us, you are a huge part of the theatre of the game.

Rugby is about bringing people together, whether you are playing or watching, and we are missing that connection with the fans at the moment.

We will keep on looking to connect with you and we have some great guys on social media who are trying to give you as much as we can from inside the club.

In the meantime, we will have to bring our own energy and our own noise for another tough derby game.

We have huge respect for the Dragons and the way they are evolving as a team under Dean Ryan. If we are not at the top of our game this evening, we will come unstuck.

A word as well for Jake Ball, who this week announced he will be heading back to Australia at the end of the season, bringing to an end nine years at the Scarlets.

Everyone here fully understands and respects Jake’s decision. I have said many times that family is a massive part of what we are about and Jake has put Christie and the children first.

One thing is for sure, you can guarantee he will also put everything into the next six months or so, he is that type of bloke and that type of player — a great guy to have around the group and someone who is also a big influence in mentoring the talented young second rows we have coming through at the club.

I hope you all enjoy this evening’s game. Writing this, the forecast didn’t have any rain in it, which in my experience over the last couple of years is a rarity for match-day in Llanelli! So let’s hope for a great contest between two sides who like to give the ball air.

Stay safe and we hope to see you soon.

Diolch Glenn

WYN JONES

JOINING THE 100 club T

here is a wall just down the corridor from the changing rooms at Parc y Scarlets dedicated to those who have made a century of appearances in Scarlets colours.

The name and picture of Llandovery’s Wyn Jones will be added to the gallery on Monday morning.

The Wales international will join the illustrious 100 club when he leads the Scarlets out against the Dragons at Parc y Scarlets this evening.

Of course, the ongoing Covid restrictions mean there won’t be the acclaim from the home support that normally greets a Scarlets centurion, but for Wyn, he knows these are times when nothing can be taken for granted.

“Everything’s a bit strange at the moment,” admits the 28-year-old.

“It is what it is. We are just fortunate to be in a position where we are able to play and do the job we love. It is different without the fans, every player wants to run out and play in front of their supporters, big crowds and the noise that comes with it, that is what you play rugby for.

“But as I said, we are in a privileged position where we can go out there and play and we have just got to get on with it day by day and enjoy our rugby.”

The first of Wyn’s 100 appearances in a Scarlets jersey came at Parc y Scarlets seven years ago — as a replacement in an Anglo-Welsh clash with Gloucester in the LV=Cup.

Of the side that took the field that day, Steff Hughes, Rob Evans and Lewis Rawlins are still part of the furniture in Llanelli, while Richard Kelly is now Wyn’s forwards coach.

“It has crept up on me to be honest,” adds Wyn. “I remember my first game and thinking I’d be happy to play two or three for the Scarlets. It is a nice milestone to get to.

“I have missed a fair few games with injury and being in Welsh camps, but I didn’t get to 100 appearance for Llandovery (yet!) so it’s good to reach it with the Scarlets!

“To be honest, it is something I never really thought about, I tend to go from one game to the next rather than looking further ahead. As a young lad, I never really dreamt of playing for Scarlets or Wales, it was more about enjoying my rugby at Llandovery with my mates.”

Wyn has certainly come a long way since those early days with his home town club at Church Bank.

Having built a strong reputation at the Drovers, he became a settled part of the Scarlets squad before breaking into the Test arena on Wales’ summer tour of 2017.

Since making his debut against Tonga in Auckland, he has gone on to win 30 caps for his country, establishing himself as Wales’ premier loose-head at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Having played his part for Wayne Pivac’s side during the autumn, he is expected to be a key member of the squad for the 2021 Six Nations, although of more immediate concern is maintaining the Scarlets’ Guinness PRO14 challenge, starting this evening against a dangerous Dragons side.

In past seasons, Scarlets have enjoyed the ascendancy at scrum-time in their matches against the Men of Gwent, but ahead of this evening’s New Year’s Day date in Llanelli, Wyn acknowledges the progress the Newport-based side have made under new coach Dean Ryan.

“They are a very good team, they are not the Dragons of a few years ago when you just expected to win; we know from recent results that is not the case. We need to be at our best to win,” he adds And as we head into a new year, you won’t find the Llandovery farmer looking too far ahead.

“It would be great to have the fans back, that is what I want from this year. As I said, for me, it is about taking it game by game and enjoying my rugby.

“I am 28, which is an age where you are not considered that old for a prop, if you’re a winger or in the backs you are probably getting on a bit! It’s a bit different for us front-rowers.

Hopefully there are plenty more games to come and plenty left in the legs!”

“They are a very good team, they are not the Dragons of a few years ago when you just expected to win; we know from recent results that is not the case. We need to be at our best to win.�

AUTOGRAPH PAGE KIERAN HARDY

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION ON

PRO14.RUGBY YOUR GUINNESS PRO14 HOME

LATEST NEWS, LIVE MATCH CENTRES, STATS & MORE VISIT NOW WWW.PRO14.RUGBY

WHY IT MATTERS EIMEAR CONSIDINE | IRELAND & MUNSTER

From left: Máire Treasa Ní Dubhbgaill, Máire Ní Bhraonáin, Deirbhile Níc Bháird, Jenny Murphy, Eimear Considine

Whether it’s international rugby or live broadcasting, nobody gets picked unless they’re good enough. Every team I’ve been on has been selected solely on merit.

capable women on their rugby broadcasts for a number of seasons now. In Ireland, they have certainly been part of the first waves of momentum we see today.

It was no different in November when I was part of TG4’s all-female talent on their Leinster v Cardiff Blues broadcast for the Guinness PRO14. Yes, it was historic to see an all-female team and we all felt great pride (and pressure!), but every person had proven they were right for the job.

An all-female line-up was not about courting publicity. I’ve been involved for three years with TG4 and during that time they have assembled and developed the talent to make it work.

Quite rightly, TG4 has picked up a lot of positive attention and hopefully this is a step in the right direction towards a new normal, where fans get opinions, analysis and commentary from people who have the experience to provide the insights – regardless of gender.

I can’t imagine what my young teenage self would have made of this. When I look back to that time in Ireland, I can only think of Sonia O’Sullivan competing at the Olympics as a role model for girls. Now, women’s international sports have such a greater platform and aspiring female athletes today have so many stars to look up to.

Twenty years ago, there were very few Katie Taylors, Emily Scarratts, Serena Williams or Megan Rapinoes like we have today – people who have become household names.

None of this happens overnight. Women’s sport and female athletes have moved out of the shadows and into the same arenas and stadiums as their male counterparts through support from clubs, sports organisations, broadcasters and sponsors. It’s proven now that if you show women’s sport in prime-time slots, people will watch.

For those of you from outside Ireland, TG4 are an Irish-language station that have been very progressive in their broadcasting of women’s sport and promoting female talent for over 20 years. Their support of Gaelic football has led to record attendances for women’s finals and they have been keen to put strong,

Our leading host, Máire Treasa Ní Dubhbgaill is a hugely recognisable face in Irish sports broadcasting and she has been phenomenal at her job for over a decade. Deirbhile Níc Bháird has played in the backs and the forwards, played for Ireland, played Sevens and she has an insight that very few can provide.

Jenny Murphy conducted interviews and provided analysis and she has an accomplished rugby CV having won a Grand Slam, played Sevens for Ireland and represented the BaaBaas. Máire Ní Bhraonáin, who works at Clongowes College where she gets to see the latest Leinster talent emerge, was our lead commentator and she has already got plenty of Guinness PRO14 games under her belt now.

Our team at the RDS was well proven, that’s for sure.

Earlier, I mentioned Emily Scarratt, who is the most talented player I’ve ever come across in rugby. When she won the Player of the Tournament award for the Six Nations, the

announcement was made in tandem with Antoine Dupont’s win for the male award.

Guinness’ decision to sponsor the Womens’ Six Nations has massively helped the profile of women’s rugby in Europe.

We see it all the time now, especially with the England national team who play at Twickenham – usually on the same day as the mens’ team. Last year another Irish

international, Louise Galvin, and myself were part of eir Sport’s World Cup coverage.

I was fortunate to appear in a national TV advert alongside Tommy Bowe, Gordon D’Arcy and Peter Stringer – three icons of Irish rugby, and that again elevated the perception of female athletes. So much so, in fact, that because our training schedule for the national team limited our appearances – an expectancy was created and any time we were not involved, fans were asking about us.

All of this visibility and support is making a real difference.

My cousin’s daughter, Éowyn, has become obsessed with rugby because she can watch the women’s team play on TV. She can go see Munster and Ireland play live at proper stadiums that make it a great day out for families. Ahead of the men’s World Cup last year the national squad were doing an open training session in each province, but when she arrived at the event in Thomond Park she was distraught because it was the men’s team and not the women’s!

That hits home because to her it’s normal to see women playing elite sport, it’s normal to see big crowds attending their games and it’s normal to see female TV analysts.

In Ireland we have the 20x20 campaign (#CantSeeCantBe) urging everyone involved in sport to find ways to play their part and it is great to see TG4 being such leaders in this space.

We’ve also received great support from our provinces and sponsors but I would challenge everyone to ask what more can they do to raise the profile of women in sport? What other broadcasters and media outlets can follow this path?

We’ve proven that if she can see it, she can be it… but we can’t and we won’t stop there.

guinness pro14 round 9 SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020, parc y scarlets, llanelli

Scarlets leave it late to secure derby spoils

A

late try from Angus O’Brien secured the derby day spoils in a nail-biting Guinness PRO14 Boxing Day clash against the Ospreys.

The Ospreys, playing as the official ‘home’ team at Parc y Scarlets, had led for the majority of a tense contest.

But with 71 minutes on the clock, a superb off-load from replacement Blade Thomson paved the way for full-back O’Brien to slice through and dive over for the crucial score.

Man of the match Dan Jones added the conversion to put the Scarlets in front for the first time and the West Walians were able to finish the match on the front foot to claim the annual festive bragging rights and a crucial win to keep them in the hunt in the Conference B standings.

O’Brien hadn’t been named in the original match-day 23, but was brought in at the 11th hour as a replacement for Johnny McNicholl.

In blustery conditions, Scarlets enjoyed the early pressure, but despite hammering away at the Ospreys line were unable to come away with any points.

Instead, it was the Ospreys who were first on the board after 14 minutes through the boot of fly-half Stephen Myler.

The opening quarter was proving a cagey affair with both sides unable to get any momentum going.

A moment of individual brilliance from scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams, who dummied and sprinted clear from 35 metres, extended the Ospreys’ lead on 22 minutes, but the Scarlets’ response was swift with Jones landing a penalty straight from the kick-off.

Jones hit the upright with another attempt, then a pin-point cross-field kick from Steff Hughes just evaded the grasp of wing Steff Evans with the line at his mercy.

A powerful scrum on the stroke of halftime led to a long-range penalty chance, but O’Brien’s strike drifted wide with the Ospreys going in ahead 8-3 at the break.

Myler extended his side’s lead early in the second half, but Jones kept Scarlets in it with his kicking out of hand and off the floor.

Two more penalties from the Carmarthen fly-half to one from Myler made it 14-9 going into the final moments.

Then the Scarlets struck.

With Thomson having a big impact off the bench, the back-rower plucked a ball out of the sky as the Scarlets surged forward. He was involved again soon after, producing a sublime pass to O’Brien who cut a great angle to the posts.

With only two points in it, the Scarlets showed their composure to make their way down field and set up camp in ‘home’ territory for the final minutes, denying the Ospreys any chance to snatch the win.

14

16 TRIES

Morgan-Williams 21’

O’Brien 70’

penalties/cons S. Myler 14’,42’,53’

D. Jones 29’,50’,59’,71’

D. Evans

15

A. O’Brien

G. North

14

T. Rogers

T. Thomas-Wheeler

13

J. Davies

S. Williams

12

S. Hughes

L. Morgan

11

S. Evans

S. Tyler

10

D. Jones

R. Morgan-Williams

09

K. Hardy

G. Thomas

1

W. Jones

D. Lake

2

R. Elias

T. Botha

3

J. Sebastian

A. Beard

4

J. Ball

R. Davies

5

M. Jones

D. Lydiate

6

E. Kennedy

J. Tipuric

7

J. Macleod

M. Morris

8

U. Cassiem

FLASHBACK

PHOTOGRAPHY: Huw Evans Picture Agencyphy

Flying Scarlets wing Mark Jones breaks clear at Stradey Park to help his side to a 36-17 victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons in April 2006. The Builth Wells Express grabbed a hat-trick of tries in the Celtic League encounter, while Dafydd James (two) and Lee Byrne also got on the scoresheet for the home side.

FROM THE PRESS ROOM

Glenn Delaney previews Dragons challenge Here’s what Glenn Delaney had to say to the media this week

Glenn, first of all, a reaction to Jake Ball’s decision, how big a loss will he be?

What about the challenge the Dragons pose?

GD: “He will be a massive loss to us. He is a hell of a bloke, great around the club, we love him to bits here and he is at the top of his game as well, he is playing really well. I guess It puts everything into context, though, family comes first and that is a massive part of what we are about here. We understand the decision. He is playing with a smile on his face at the moment and will continue to do that for the rest of the season. He will be a big set of boots to fill.”

GD: “The Dragons are a side who are evolving really well, getting more confident and developing an all-court game. They have Nick Tompkins, Jamie Roberts playing well, Jack Dixon will be coming at us. They have some really good game-controllers and also have an ability to play a real power game.

Their forwards are pretty tasty, there are some good, honest, hard-working, tough men in that pack and some excitable back-rowers who add a lot of energy. They have a real challenging side who know how to win, know how to scrap and stay in the game. It is going to be a full-blooded encounter. Last year at Rodney Parade we got outdone, they were the better side. There are a lot of good people in that environment who are driving that team forward and they will present a really strong challenge for us. We are going to have to be 100% at the races.

Having Liam back in training must be a big boost?

GD: “It is. We’ve got Ken coming back into training too after a long lay-off so having characters like those two around is great.

The right game will be the one when they’re fit and healthy. Liam just wants to play. He’s worked incredibly hard and it’s nice to have him back on the training field.”

How much are you looking forward to the Dragons?

GD: “We are just praying the weather we have had recently dissipates because the ambition of all the regional teams is to play.

Hopefully we will have a dry deck and a dry ball.”

With the news that the league is finishing in March with the top two going into a final, does it change your thinking?

GD: “Derbies are always sacrosanct so nothing has changed now. The new trunk of games are going to be taking place during the Six Nations so we will be in an international window focus. Then we have the Rainbow Cup with the South Africans and that is going to be pretty exciting. We will keep working away, collecting points and look to finish as high as we can in the Conference, the competitive integrity doesn’t change.”

N U M

9

Percentage of territory enjoyed by the Scarlets in their Boxing Day win over the Ospreys

99

Clean breaks made in the PRO14 by Steff Evans this season, second only to Ulster’s John Cooney

67

N I N E T Y N I N E

the amount of Scarlets appearances made by current Dragons skipper Rhodri Williams

PRO14 appearances made by Aled Brew during his career

83

e i g h t y t h r e e

s i x t y s e v e n

N I N E

b y

introductory offer £110.00 inc. shipping

THE PREMIUM PET TRAVEL CASE

From day trips to getaways, this fully loaded, uniquely designed case is perfect for all your dog’s needs.

pre-order today, visit:

www.mycubbycase.com

Terms & Conditions apply, see website for further details.

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

9

9

0

0

308 146

162

43

19

6

0

42

2

Leinster Rugby

7

7

0

0

283

79

204

40

11

7

0

35

3

Ospreys

8

3

0

5

144 174

-30

15

21

0

2

14

4

Dragons

7

3

0

4

125 175

-50

14

23

1

1

14

5

Glasgow Warriors

8

2

6

Zebre Rugby

8

1

1

Munster Rugby

7

7

ALL IN ONE APP 0

0

238 131

107

29

12

4

0

32

2

Connacht Rugby

7

4

0

3

183 157

136

26

26

3

1

20

3

Scarlets Rugby

8

4

0

4

125 130

-5

12

13

1

3

20

4

Cardiff Blues

9

4

0

5

129 156

-27

15

17

1

1

18

5

Edinburgh Rugby

7

2

0

5

107 183

-76

12

24

1

1

10

6

Benetton Rugby

7

0

0

7

112 185

-73

15

24

0

3

3

0

6

147 190

-43

18

23

0

2

10

0

7

101 296 -195

10

42

0

1

5

COnFERENCE B - ADRAN B PL

W

D

L

PF

PA

DIFF

TF

TA

TB

LB

PTS

DRAGONS RUGBY

TODAY’S OPPOSITION B

efore their thrilling Judgement Day win over the Scarlets at the Principality Stadium in 2019, the Men of Gwent had endured a barren four-year drought away from Rodney Parade in the Guinness PRO14.

But travel sickness hasn’t been an issue for Dean Ryan’s men this season, as they have shown with eye-catching victories in Treviso and Glasgow.

Those two triumphs had raised confidence that the Dragons, back in the top flight of Europe for the first time since 2011, could damage a few reputations during the Champions Cup. But Covid hit their preparations to play Wasps and Bordeaux-Begles hard, leaving them without a point to show for their efforts despite two gutsy displays.

The Dragons led for long periods of the East Wales derby in the wind and rain at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day only for former Scarlet Josh Turnbull to secure the spoils with a close-range score to earn Cardiff Blues a 13-12 win. The Dragons will head down the M4 still searching for their first ever win at Parc y Scarlets, although they have enjoyed some recent success against the West Walians, notably in that epic Judgement Day

battle in Cardiff and last Christmas thanks to a late, late drop goal from the trusty boot of Sam Davies.

Davies sits out this New Year’s Day meeting, although his influential half-back partner Rhodri Williams is named on the bench as he makes a return to the ground where he started his professional career.

There are others in the Dragons squad who will be more than familiar with the Llanelli stadium, notably scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, centre Adam Warren, fly-half Josh Lewis and full-back Jordan Williams, who have all worn scarlet during their professional careers.

HEAD TO HEAD MEETINGS

44

SCARLETS WINS

32

DRAGONs WINS

12

DRAWS

0

PREVIOUS MATCHES

DRAGONS SCARLETS

20 41

AUG 29, 2020 (RODNEY PARADE)

DRAGONS SCARLETS

22 20

DEC 21, 2020 (RODNEY PARADE)

DRAGONS rugby

NICK

TOMPKIN S

AGE

25

JONAH

HOLMES

AGE

28

POSITION: CENTRE

POSITION: FULL-BACK

TEST CAPS: 8 (WALES)

TEST CAPS: 5 (WALES)

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 3

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 4

PRO14 TRIES: 0

PRO14 TRIES: 0

STRENGTHS: LIVEWIRE TEST CENTRE WHO IS STRONG IN THE TACKLE AND HAS A DANGEROUS OFF-LOADING GAME

STRENGTHS: THE FORMER TIGER IS A DANGEROUS BACK-FIELD RUNNER WITH PLENTY OF PACE AND AN EYE FOR THE LINE

A A RO N

WAINWRIGHT

AGE

23

ELLIOT

DEE

AGE

26

POSITION: BACK ROW

POSITION: HOOKER

TEST CAPS: 27 (WALES)

TEST CAPS: 33 (WALES)

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 40

PRO14 APPEARANCES: 74

PRO14 TRIES: 1

PRO14 TRIES: 11

STRENGTHS: DYNAMIC AND VERSATILE BACK-ROWER - ATHLETIC RUNNER, TENACIOUS TACKLER

STRENGTHS: SKILFUL WALES INTERNATIONAL WHO WILL RELISH BATTLE WITH TEST RIVAL RYAN ELIAS

END OF AN ERA

Jake to bid Scarlets farewell Scarlets and Wales second row Jake Ball will be heading back to Australia at the end of the season.

Jake’s wife Christie returned home earlier this year to be with her family for the birth of their fourth child Max. Jake will be joining them in July, bringing to an end a nine-year spell in West Wales.

“It has been a difficult decision to make but one I have made for the family,” said Jake. “My wife was expecting our fourth child and with Covid around and players having to be in bubbles and everything, we made the decision that she and the kids should go home to have some family help and support around her.

“Max was born last month; there have been Zoom calls and things, but I haven’t seen him yet and it has been difficult. As the season goes on, it would be pretty tough of me to ask Christie to come back here away from her family again.

“It has been a fantastic nine seasons I have been here. I love the Scarlets and playing with Wales has been unbelievable and something I will never forget.

“It has been a massive honour to represent my country, but at the end of the day I made a huge sacrifice in staying behind for a year without my family. I have four kids now and I won’t have seen them for close on a year.”

Jake arrived in West Wales from the Western Force in 2012, making his Scarlets debut in a Celtic League clash with Connacht in Galway. He has gone on to make 127 appearances and won 49 caps for Wales, becoming a hugely popular figure with Scarlets fans and a big influence in the squad, on and off the field.

“I owe a lot to the Scarlets and Welsh rugby,” he added. “I was at the Western Force before, but it was the Scarlets who gave me my first real shot in senior rugby and it will be nice to finish off on a high and reward the Scarlets for everything they have done for me over the years.

“I have some very special memories and have got to do some fantastic things. We have won the PRO12, made a European semi-final; there has been a Grand Slam and two World Cups with Wales. I have no regrets with what I have done here.

“I am just hoping we can have supporters back at Parc y Scarlets before the end of the season. It would be great to have them here so I can say my farewells properly.”

Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said: “As a club we fully respect Jake’s decision. Family is a massive part of the Scarlets and Jake has sacrificed a huge amount being away from Christie and his children for so long.

“He has been a wonderful servant for the Scarlets, an outstanding player, a great bloke around the group and has been a fantastic mentor to the young players who are coming through.

“You saw by his performance against the Ospreys on Boxing Day what playing for the Scarlets means to him and let’s hope we can have some supporters back into Parc y Scarlets by the end of the season to give him the send-off he deserves.”

Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels added: “When Jake was identified and brought into the club by Gareth Jenkins he was completely unknown and untried. Since then he has shown total commitment to his development and has been rewarded with a fine career. He is an example of what can be achieved when professionalism and ability combine.

“He is a great Scarlet and we wish him, Christie and the children the very best for the future. Jake will leave with our total respect for the decision he has made and gratitude for his contributions both on and off the field.”

Covering all of Wales

Broadband supplied to Wales & Lions rugby legend Neil Jenkins

DYFED TELECOM

01267 253134

4G Mobile Broadband

Bring your home, farm or business into the 21st century with Dyfed Telecom’s 4G mobile broadband. Superfast speeds, no landline required and with a quick and easy installation process.

Be part of Wales’ fastest growing and largest mobile broadband supplier.

Broadband supplied to Wales & Lions rugby legend Scott Quinnell

Unlimited Data

Professional Installation Latest Technology

Mobile Phones

Since 2011, Dyfed Telecom has established itself as the number one independent EE partner in West Wales. If you are due an upgrade on EE, or are interested in coming over to EE and you’d like a personal service, home delivery & free aftercare. Get in touch today!

Customise your Data Plans

Delivery & Setup

Latest Handsets

Call us on 01267 253134 or visit www.dyfedtelecom.cymru

www.aber.ac.uk/ysgoloriaethau

Gwnewch gais ar-lein heddiw! www.aber.ac.uk/ysgoloriaethau www.aber.ac.uk/scholarships Apply online today! www.aber.ac.uk/scholarships

Ysgoloriaethau Scholarships Ysgoloriaethau Scholarships a Bwrsariaethau and Bursaries a Bwrsariaethau and Bursaries

gwerth hydworth at up to gwerth hyd at £40,000 upworth to £40,000 £40,000

£40,000

• Ysgoloriaethau Mynediad gwerth hyd at £2,000 y flwyddyn, ynghyd â chynnig diamod. Dyddiad cau 16 Chwefror 2021.

• Entrance Scholarships worth up to £2,000 a year, along with an unconditional offer. Closing date 16 February 2021.

CANLLAW PRIFYSGOLION DA 2020

GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2020

PRIFYSGOL Y FLWYDDYN YNG NGHYMRU

WELSH UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR

105310-1120

• Gwobrau Adrannol ar gyfer rhai cyrsiau.

• Departmental Awards for some courses.

• Ysgoloriaethau ychwanegol ar gael am ddewis astudio trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.

• Additional Scholarships available if you choose to study through the medium of Welsh.

• Ysgoloriaethau Cerddoriaeth a Chwaraeon hefyd ar gael.

• Music & Sport Scholarships also available

These clubs have chosen Macron

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

COMMUNITIES DELIVER

Scarlets Community Foundation O

nce again, the Scarlets family joined forces to deliver food packages across the region ahead of the festive period.

With the help of 37 rugby clubs and female hubs, 490 Christmas hampers were delivered to individuals, families and care homes in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The Scarlets Community Foundation, who have co-ordinated the scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic, would like to thank those who again donated the funds for the packs, Castell Howell Foods for putting the hampers together and all the volunteers who helped out.

Rhodri Jones of the Community Foundation said: “Once again, we have been blown away by the response from our community clubs. It has been a tough and challenging year, but the support shown within the rugby community has been incredible and some of the messages we have had from volunteers and those who received the hampers has been truly heartwarming.

Thanks to everyone involved.�

Here are some pics of the hampers being delivered.

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

SPONSORSHIP

BT renews sponsorship deal

B

T will continue its support and investment into club rugby after agreeing a new three-year sponsorship deal with the four Welsh professional sides – Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff Blues BT signed a ground-breaking three-year sponsorship deal with the quartet in 2014.

The sponsorship was extended in 2017. The new deal will run until 2023, at the end of which BT will have sponsored the four sides for nine consecutive seasons.

BT also announced last year that it had signed an agreement with FA Wales to become the exclusive lead partner of Welsh national football until 2024.

The new rugby agreement will see the BT brand featuring in all the four home grounds, in community activity and in rugby marketing materials.

The agreement will also see community work continue between BT and the Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and Blues, focusing in particular on highlighting the importance of

technology, innovation and digital skills within communities across Wales.

Nick Speed, BT Group’s director in Wales, said: “BT is a long-standing supporter of Welsh rugby, so we’re pleased to be able to continue our sponsorship and relationship with the four Welsh regions.

“This new agreement will help us carry on working on community projects with all four regions, highlighting in particular how technology, innovation and improving digital skills can help people’s work prospects and lives across the country.

“2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for many sectors and sports, and Welsh rugby is no exception. We hope this new partnership will go some way towards making sure that Welsh rugby, and the communities in which they’re based, can emerge from the crisis stronger than before.”

T O D A Y ’ S V I R T U A L

MASCOT

NAME: Tom Griffiths age: 11 CLUB: Clwb Rygbi y Tymbl School: Llannon Primary School Favourite player: Liam Williams

Meinciau Road, Mynydd Y Garreg, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire

on 01554 773051 For more information call: Email: llanelli@johnfrancis.co.uk www.johnfrancis.co.uk

01554 77 22 55 www.dyfedsteels.co.uk

Scarlets Business Brand Exposure Packages From just ÂŁ399 In-stadia Advertising Digital Activations with amplification for your social posts Social Media Exposure to over 200K fans Global Media Exposure

For more info, please email commercial@scarlets.wales

GUINESS PRO14 CAMPAIGN TO END IN MARCH AHEAD OF NEW “RAINBOW CUP”

T

he 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.

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.

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.

The scheduled dates for the conclusion of the 2020-21 Guinness PRO14 campaign are:

Ahead of the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will provide a ground-breaking 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 Cup-winning 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.

R12: February 20, R13: February 27 R14: March 6, R15: March 13, R16: March 20 Final: 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.

Coming to

SOUTH WALES 2021

www.zipworld.co.uk

Scarlets 35 DRAGONS 11 Saturday, Sept 6, 2003, Stradey Park, CELTIC LEAGUE

FROM THE VAULT S

cott Quinnell claimed two tries to help the Scarlets get their Celtic League campaign off to a winning start at Stradey Park.

However, there was no way they were going to stop former British Lions No 8 Quinnell after 62 minutes, as he crashed over in the shadow of the post for the first try of the match.

In a scrappy, disjointed affair, a double from man-of-the-match Quinnell combined with 22 points from the boot of fly-half Gareth Bowen proved decisive against a spirited Newport Gwent Dragons side.

Bowen’s conversion made it 25-6, but the Dragons responded quickly with a try from outstanding flanker Jason Forster.

The first half was a disappointing affair dominated by the whistle of Irish referee Simon McDowell.

The opening 40 minutes turned out to be a battle of the kickers, with four successful strikes from Bowen against two by Dragons’ full-back Brett Davey giving the home side a 12-6 advantage at the break.

The Scarlets had a try by lively flanker Ian Boobyer disallowed, while the Dragons showed stubborn defence to keep the home pack at bay late on.

Play was delayed for five minutes when Tongan wing Salesi Finau was stretchered off with what looked like a serious neck injury after a high tackle by opposing centre Steve Winn.

Winn was sin-binned as a result, which meant the Dragons started the second half down to 14 men.

The visitors were competing well, but it was indiscipline which was costing them dear.

Bowen was in no mood to be lenient, landing two more penalties, including one monster strike from his own half.

The Scarlets were beginning to take a grip on the match, although the Dragons last-ditch tackling was serving them well.

Then in the final moments Quinnell plunged over once more and full-back Barry Davies landed a drop goal to seal what was in the end a comfortable victory for the Scarlets.

“Scott Quinnell more or less beat us on his own,” said Dragons head coach Mike Ruddock afterwards.

Llanelli Scarlets: Barry Davies; Richard Rees, Tal Selley, Leigh Davies, Salesi Finau; Gareth Bowen, Dale Burn; David Maddocks, Aled Gravelle, John Davies, Adam Jones, Vernon Cooper, Chris Wyatt, Ian Boobyer, Scott Quinnell.

Replacements: Nathan Williams, Rhys Williams, Bryn Griffiths, Gareth Williams, Mike Phillips, Cerion Thomas, Matthew Watkins.

Newport Gwent Dragons: B Davey; N Brew, A Marinos (capt), S Winn, B Breeze; C Warlow, R Jones; A Black, P Young, C Anthony, I Gough, P Sidoli, S van Rensberg, R Oakley, J Forster.

Replacements: H Luscombe, L Jarvis, B Shelbourne, D Pattison, S Jones, L Charteris, J Ringer.

Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland).

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

OWAIN BADGER

THOUGHTS FROM THE HALFWAY P

arc y Scarlets seems to be the go-to ground for most of the rugby played in Wales so far during this Covid-ruined season.

Wales played four games in Llanelli during the autumn and then our arch rivals the Ospreys made it their home ground against the Scarlets because the Liberty Stadium was not available due to pitch repairs.

Swansea’s St Helen’s has hosted PRO14 rugby this season, but the demand for state-of-the-art stadiums now holds sway above some of the old-school grounds.

It shows how rugby has changed in the professional and regional era. At one time there were 15 or so first-class clubs throughout South Wales which threw up plenty of interesting outings for Scarlets supporters.

Cross Keys at Pandy Park, Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park, Newbridge at the Welfare Ground, Pontypridd at Sardis Road were all difficult games and interesting trips, although venues were sometimes hard to find particularly before the M4 and the numerous dual carriageways which now criss-cross the Valleys.

Take the Scarlets side of 1939. For an evening midweek game at Pontypool in March the club decided to break with tradition and not travel by train or coach but hired four cars to carry the players.

The first car left Llanelli at 2pm and didn’t arrive at Pontypool until 5.25pm after taking several wrong turns. Two of the other cars were still missing until just before the start of the game. The fourth car turned up just after kick-off having been in an accident. It was no surprise that the Scarlets lost 12-0. To make matters worse the fourth car was involved in another accident on the way home.

Indeed, the East Wales valleys seem to have been particularly difficult places to get to. In 1967 the Scarlets travelled to Abertillery and had to start the match with just 10 players because one of the cars had broken down. The cavalry arrived just after kick off and we won 8-6.

It wasn’t just about getting there, the grounds were also so different. The Maesteg ground was Llynfi Road, right next to a coal mine. Games there were attritional, it was invariably rainy and dank and there were never many points in it. If the play got too boring you could always be entertained by the small train at one end which continuously shunted back and forth from the pit to the tip.

Memorable games were played. On April 30, 1968 the Scarlets had to beat Neath at The Gnoll to clinch the unofficial Welsh Championship for the first time in more than 30 years. They were up against a formidable Neath side, but even when the Scarlets were reduced to 13 men for a time because of injuries they eventually won 9-0. Phil Bennett, in his first season, dropped a goal. Many supporters travelled to that game by train and had a long wait at Neath station when several trains back were cancelled.

These were times when you felt a real sense of community in South Wales as you visited so many towns for away games.There was rivalry between supporters but always a warm welcome .

Yes, the small number of Welsh Premiership fans do get a little of that experience these days, but for the vast majority of rugby supporters it is no more.

The game has moved on, but I’m sure Welsh rugby supporters of a certain era still hold fond memories of those old-school trips to Abertillery Park or the OId Parish on a wet midweek night!

PIC OF THE WEEK PHOTOGRAPHY: Riley Sports Photography

Castell Howell Foods Ltd

Supporting Welsh Communities Cross Hands Order Line:

01269 846080

Castell Howell Foods Ltd Cross Hands Food Park, Cross Hands Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA14 6SX Luxury Welsh Dairy Ice Cream

www.chfoods.co.uk

CHRISTMAS KICKS

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN TO KICK LIKE LEIGH HALPENNY?

Well here’s your chance to get out and send a few kicks soaring between the posts while donating to a great cause in the process.

As part of our Christmas Kicks Challenge, we are inviting you to donate whatever you can to the Scarlets Community Foundation, even if it’s just a £1 it all helps.

During this year’s Covid-19 pandemic the Scarlets Community Foundation has teamed up with its local grassroots clubs to deliver around 1,200 food packages to individuals, families and the elderly in care homes.

You can go straight to the link to donate or get your budding little goal-kickers involved by downloading a special Cochyn form and ask the family to sponsor you. It’s for a brilliant cause.

The Foundation is looking to raise more money to fund the deliveries in 2021 so we have signed up our Scarlets, Wales and British & Irish Lions star full-back to kickstart the campaign.

All you have to do is watch Leigh’s kicking tutorial on our social media channels (https://youtu.be/XEumHj59GhA), pick up a rugby ball, head down to your local playing fields and go for goal!!

If you want to film yourself taking the kicks, send it to us via our social media channels or by emailing rhodri@scarlets.wales and we’ll put a compilation together.

Here’s the donation link to get involved.

Get kicking this Christmas! http://bit.ly/scarletsck #ScarletsChristmas #NadoligScarlets

NEW SIGNINGS

Scarlets Academy sign up talented local duo

T

wo more talented home-grown products have been signed up by the Scarlets Academy.

Hooker Lewis Morgan and centre Eddie James are currently training with the Academy at Parc y Scarlets and are being seen as players with a bright future in the game.

Lewis Morgan Lewis has been a standout player since he came into the Scarlets’ U16s programme. A former pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Lewis played his junior rugby with Tenby RFC. He enjoyed an excellent season with Coleg Sir Gar and Scarlets U18s and was rewarded with a place in the Wales U18s squad. The 17-year-old, who stands at 178cm and 111kg, has been selected as Coleg Sir Gar captain.

Academy skills coach Emyr Phillips said: “Lewis has a huge physical presence for his age. He is a powerful ball-carrier, an aggressive defender and has very good set piece skills. He has shown great commitment since joining the academy and has been rewarded with the captaincy at Sir Gar.”

Eddie James Eddie was a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin and moved to Coleg Sir Gar where he represented the college in the U18 National College League. Eddie played mini, junior and youth rugby for Carmarthen Quins RFC and also represented Carmarthen Schools U15s. He was a prominent figure in the College League and was a standout performer for the Scarlets U18s in the Regional Age Grade competition.

Eddie represented Wales U18s against Scotland pre-lockdown and was heading towards further international honours before the season was cut short.

Academy skills coach Paul Fisher said: “Eddie is a physical centre standing at 193cm and 103kg who has the ability to carry over the gainline with subtle offloads. As a former fly-half in his junior days he can distribute accurately off both hands and kick the ball a long way. With his impressive stature he has developed a physicality and appetite for defence and is a real presence in midfield.”

FROM THE ACADEMY

QUESTION AND ANSWERS WITH LUCA GIANNINI Age:

Favourite app:

16

Snaphat

School:

Random fact about you:

Coleg Sir Gâr

I enjoy watching/playing darts

Sporting hero:

Best Netflix/Amazon Prime recommendation:

Sergio Parisse Top three pre-match songs: Concrete Angel, Beast and Fearless Favourite music artist: Pop Smoke Dream holiday: Maldives Biggest fear/phobia: Drowning

Prison Break Best and worst haircut in the academy: Best - Lewis Morgan; Worst - Harri Doel

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

HUW DAVIES

RICHARD WHIFFIN

Head Coach Prif Hyfforddwr

RICHARD KELLY

GLENN DELANEY

DAI FLANAGAN

COACHING AND RUGBY STAFF 2020-21

Head of Conditioning Prif Gyflyrydd

Matthew Look - Senior Physiotherapist / Ffysiotherapydd Uwch Oli Morris - Physiotherapist / Ffisiotherapydd Owain Binding - Physiotherapist / Ffisiotherapydd Huw Evans - Lead Doctor / Prif Feddyg Gwen Williams - Doctor / Meddyg Katy Guy - Doctor / Meddyg Kat Edwards - Doctor / Meddyg Sarah Goff - Doctor / Meddyg Craig Dyson - Doctor / Meddyg Kevin George - Development Pathway Manager/ Rheolwr Datblygu Paul Fisher - Academy Skills Coach / Hyfforddwr Sgiliau’r Academi Emyr Phillips - Academy Skills Coach / Hyfforddwr Sgiliau’r Academi Matt Evans - Head of Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach / Pennaeth Hyfforddwr Cryfder a Chyflyru’r Academi

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

09/08/86 N/A N/A 185CM 101KG

25/03/95 N/A @dannydrake1 198CM 117KG

ALLWEDD / KEY

blade thomson 07/01/96 @dinky_jones @dinky10_jones 183CM 90KG

br

19/08/94 @edkennedy__ @edkennedy_ 196CM 110KG

fh

daniel jones

17/09/98 @Dandavis07 @dann121 183CM 100KG

pr

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

br

daniel davis

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

hk

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

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

SH

gareth davies

danny drake

br

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

sh

dylan evans

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

dominic booth

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

br

Sponsorship Available

hk

dafydd hughes

carwyn tuipulotu

br

angus o’brien

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

Sponsorship Available

fh

edward kennedy

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

PR

alex jeffries

W

ALED BREW

aaron shingler

BR

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

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

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

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

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

lk

jake ball

lk

jac price

br

jac morgan

ctr

ioan nicholas

iestyn rees

br

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

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

Sponsorship Available

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

27/1096 @JoshMacleod1 @joshmacleod8 189CM 110KG

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

CTR

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

PR

KEMSLEY MATHIAS

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

BR

ctr

jonathan davies

johnny williams

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

LK

ctr

JOSPEH ROBERTS

JOSEPH MILES

BR

FB

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

pr

javan sebastain

james davies

br

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

Sponsorship Available

ALLWEDD / KEY

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

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

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

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

lk

sam lousi

hk

ryan elias

w

ryan conbeer

fh

rhys patchell

pr

phil price

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

ctr

osian knott

lk

FB

paul asquith

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

Sponsorship Available

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

LK

LEWIS RAWLINS

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

pr

rob evans

hk

FB

morgan jones

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

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

marc jones

SH

KIERAN HARDY

KEN OWENS

HK

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

Sponsorship Available

ALLWEDD / KEY

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sponsorship Available

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

br

thomas phillips

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

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

Sponsorship Available

ctr

br

uzair cassiem

w

tomi leiws

FB

thomas rogers

w

tyler morgan

Sponsorship Available

tOM prydie

Andrea Thomas

lk

tevita retuva

hk

taylor davies

w

STEFFAN EVANS

STEFFAN thomas

pr

ctr

STEFFAN hughes

br

sione kalamafoni

hk

shaun EVANS

fh

samuel costelow

samson lee

pr

23/02/92

17/12/98

17/01/99

11/09/95

17/03/90

@tomprydie @tomprydie 193CM 93KG

@tomrogers007 @tomrog15 185CM 91KG

@tomilewis1999 @tomilewis 183CM 85KG

@TylerMorgan013 @tylermorgan13 186CM 105KG

@uzair_cassiem @ucassiem7 189CM 110KG

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

24/10/95 N/A N/A 181CM 85KG

pr

wyn jones

sh

william homer

werner kruger

pr

24/10/95 @wynjones2 @wynjones3 181CM 184KG

PIETER SCHOLTZ

Sponsorship Available

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

Date

Co

v

Opponents

Home

Result

Score

T

C

2

2

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

Away D

T

C

P

9

3

3

3

2

1

1

1

1

D

OCTOBER 2020 Sat 3

P14

H

Munster

L

27-30

Sun 11

P14

A

Glasgow

L

20-07

Fri 23

P14

A

Benetton

W

03-10

1

L

03-06

1

1

5

2

3

NOVEMBER 2020 Sun 1

P14

H

Edinburgh

Sun 8

P14

H

Zebre

W

18-17

Sat 14

P14

A

Connacht

W

14-20

Sun 22

P14

A

Ulster

L

26-24

Sun 29

P14

H

Leinster

P

N/A

-

-

-

3

2

1

2

8

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

2

5

3 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

3

-

-

-

-

11

JANUARY 2021 Fri 1

P14

H

Dragons

Sat 9

P14

A

Cardiff Blues

Fri 15

ERC

A

RC Toulon

Sat 23

ERC

H

Bath Rugby

P14

Guinness Pro14

ERC

European Champions Cup

W

Win

L

Lose

D

Draw

P

Postponed

-

-

-

-

27 2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Started match -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

5

10

5

5 13 5 5

-

Used as a replacement

5 5 5 -

-

Points scored in match

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

THE TEAMS PARC Y SCARLETS, FRI 1 JAN 2021 KO 5:15PM STARTING XV ANGUS O’BRIEN

T

C

P

D

15

T

C

P

D

JONAH HOLMES

TOM PRYDIE

T

C

P

D

14

T

C

P

D

OWEN JENKINS

TYLER MORGAN

T

C

P

D

13

T

C

P

D

NICK TOMPKINS

STEFF HUGHES ©

T

C

P

D

12

T

C

P

D

JACK DIXON

STEFF EVANS

T

C

P

D

11

T

C

P

D

ASHTON HEWITT

DAN JONES

T

C

P

D

10

T

C

P

D

JOSH LEWIS

KIERAN HARDY

T

C

P

D

9

T

C

P

D

TAVIS KNOYLE

WYN JONES

T

C

P

D

1

T

C

P

D

BROK HARRIS

RYAN ELIAS

T

C

P

D

2

T

C

P

D

ELLIOT DEE

JAVAN SEBASTIAN

T

C

P

D

3

T

C

P

D

LEON BROWN

JAKE BALL

T

C

P

D

4

T

C

P

D

BEN CARTER

SAM LOUSI

T

C

P

D

5

T

C

P

D

MATTHEW SCREECH

BLADE THOMSON

T

C

P

D

6

T

C

P

D

HARRISON KEDDIE ©

DAN DAVIS

T

C

P

D

7

T

C

P

D

TAINE BASHAM

SIONE KALAMAFONI

T

C

P

D

8

T

C

P

D

AARON WAINWRIGHT

MARC JONES

T

C

P

D

16

T

C

P

D

RICHARD HIBBARD

PHIL PRICE

T

C

P

D

17

T

C

P

D

AARON JARVIS

PIETER SCHOLTZ

T

C

P

D

18

T

C

P

D

LLOYD FAIRBROTHER

TEVITA RATUVA

T

C

P

D

19

T

C

P

D

JOE DAVIES

ED KENNEDY

T

C

P

D

20

T

C

P

D

HUW TAYLOR

GARETH DAVIES

T

C

P

D

21

T

C

P

D

RHODRI WILLIAMS

SAM COSTELOW

T

C

P

D

22

T

C

P

D

ANEURIN OWEN

PAUL ASQUITH

T

C

P

D

23

T

C

P

D

EVAN LLOYD

replacements

match officials REFEREE: NIGEL OWENS (WRU) AR1: ADAM JONES (WRU) AR2: GWYN MORRIS (WRU) TMO: WAYNE DAVIES (WRU)

ALBERT TANNER CEFNogwr

Y GAIR OLAF W

el, chawson ni ddim gêm yn erbyn Toulon fis diwetha wedi’r cyfan.

Ond fe gyhoeddwyd y rhaglen, a’n erthygl i, beth bynnag. Dyna ddangos pa mor agos at y gic gynta’ y penderfynodd Toulon godi eu pac am adre.

Ond am y tro cynta’ ers blynydde, gês i ymateb i’r erthygl gan un o’r darllenwyr - un yn gofyn beth oedd mor arbennig am Gamp Lawn cynta Ffrainc yn 1968. Yn gynta’ mae’n hen wireb bod tîm sefydlog yn fwy tebygol o fod yn llwyddiannus nag un sy’n newid ei wharaewyr drwy’r amser. Yn 1968 cofiwch bod ni’n sôn am ddewis pymtheg wharaewr nid y tri ar hugain modern. Dim eilyddion heblaw am anafiade. Llwyddodd Ffrainc i fynd trwy 27 o wharaewyr yn eu pedair gêm, ac mae’n anodd gweld pam bod llawer o’r newidiade wedi digwydd. Yr unig esboniad yw bod dewiswyr ymhob oes yn anodd eu deall.

Gan taw dim ond o 8 pwynt i 6 y curwyd yr Alban penderfynodd y dewiswyr nad oedd y tîm cenedlaethol yn “whare digon o rygbi”.

Rhaid oedd cael gwared o’r hanneri sef y brodyr Camberabero ar waetha’r ffaith na chollon nhw unrhyw gêm rhyngwladol pan yn whare gyda’i gilydd. Ar waetha’r pum newid i gyd llwyddwyd i guro’r Iwerddon o 16 i 6.

Gan bod mis o fwlch tan y gêm nesa – yn erbyn Lloegr – mae’n amlwg bod gormod o amser gan y dewiswyr ar eu dwylo (peth peryglus mewn unrhyw oes). Trefnwyd bod Ffrainc yn llanw’r amser gwag trwy whare yn erbyn tîm rhanbarthol o dde dwyrain y wlad a oedd yn cynnwys clwb La Voulte sef clwb cartref y brodyr Camberabero. Dyna shwt i rwto halen yn y briw ar ôl eu gadael

nhw mâs! Bydde’r neb heddiw yn meddwl trefnu gêm ar fympwy jyst i lenwi bwlch (ond ar ôl diflastod Cwpan y Cenhedloedd yn yr hydref, sa’ i’n rhy siwr). Dwi wedi methu dod o hyd i unrhyw adroddiad o’r gêm honno ond fe aeth y dewiswyr hyd yn oed fwy boncyrs – naw newid pellach gan gynnwys rheng flaen newydd, a galw’r brodyr Camberabero nôl i’r tîm. Penderfyniad ysbrydoledig os buodd un achos sgoriodd y brodyr 19 pwynt rhyngddyn nhw yn y buddugoliaethau yn erbyn Lloegr a Chymru. A dyna’r Gamp Lawn.

Nôl yn 2007 roeddwn i’n digwydd bod yn Bayonne ac ar ddamwain llwyr cael y cyfle i rannu coffi gyda Richard Dourthe, y cynganolwr rhyngwladol. Roedd ei dad, Claude, yn un o’r 27 wharaewr a gynrychiolodd Ffrainc yn 1968. Ei farn e oedd bod yr holl newidiade i’r tîm ddim wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr achos bod gymaint o’r wharaewyr hynny mor hynod o dalentog allen nhw ddim methu. Falle bod e’n iawn – Claude Lacaze, Jo Maso, Pierre Villepreux, Jean Gachassin, Benoit Dauga, Walter Spanghero i enwi dim ond chwech – a’i dad ei hun wrth gwrs. A dyma ychydig o trivia i chi – nid yn unig oedd Claude Dourthe yn dad i wharaewr rhyngwladol, roedd yn dad yng nghyfraith i ddau arall sef Olivier Magne a Raphael Ibanez.

Daeth yr holl beth nôl i mi’n ddiweddar gyda’r cyhoeddiad bod seren arall o sgwad buddugol 1968 wedi’n gadael ni, Jean Pierre Lux. Gwr a wnaeth gymaint i wneud Cwpan Ewrop yn gymaint o lwyddiant.

EVERY FIXTURE EVERY TRY EVERY TACKLE

ALL IN ONE APP

OFFICIAL WASTE PARTNER OF THE SCARLETS

Visit our website:

Call us:

DYFEDRECYCLING.COM

01554 772 478

The UK’s leading Transport & Warehousing Company

GET INVOLVED

FOLLOW

ALL THE ACTION @PRO14Official

@PRO14Official

@PRO14Official

@PRO14Rugby

@PRO14Rugby

@PRO14Rugby