Scarlets 2016/17 Season Thread

[ScarletSpiderman]

First topic message reminder :

Scarlets pre-season friendlies 2016/17    
Sat 13th Aug 15:00 Exeter vs Scarlets Sandy Park, Exeter  
Sat 20th Aug TBC Scarlets vs Bath Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay  
     
Fixture List      
Sat 3rd Sep 15:00 Scarlets vs Munster Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli Sky
Fri 9th Sep 19:35 Edinburgh vs Scarlets Murrayfield, Edinburgh BBC Alba
Fri 16th Sep 19:05 Ulster vs Scarlets Kingspan Stadium, Belfast BBC2W
Sat 24th Sep 19:35 Scarlets vs ConnachtParc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli S4C
Sat 1st Oct 19:05 Treviso vs Scarlets Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso  
Sat 8th Oct 19:35 Scarlets vs Dragons Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli S4C
Oct 14th - 16th  Europe 1    
Oct 21st - 23th  Europe 2    
Fri 28th Oct 19:35 Cardiff vs Scarlets BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff BBC2W
Sat 5th Nov 19:35 Scarlets vs Glasgow Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli S4C
Nov 5th  TBC Anglo-Welsh 1    
Nov 12th  Anglo-Welsh 2    
Fri 25th Nov 19:35 Scarlets vs Leinster Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli BBC2W
Sat 3rd Dec 14:05 Zebre vs Scarlets Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma  
Dec 9th - 11th  Europe 3    
Dec 16th - 18th  Europe 4    
Tue 27th Dec 15:00 Ospreys vs Scarlets Liberty Stadium, Swansea Sky/S4C
Sun 1st Jan 15:00 Scarlets vs Cardiff Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli Sky/S4C
Fri 6th Jan 19:35 Scarlets vs Ulster Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli BBC2W
Jan 13th - 15th  Europe 5    
Jan 20th - 22nd  Europe 6    
Jan 27th - 29th  Anglo-Welsh 3    
Feb 3rd - 5th  Anglo-Welsh 4    
Feb 10th - 11th   Glasgow vs Scarlets Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow  
Feb 17th - 18th  Scarlets vs Zebre Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  
Feb 24th - 25th  Munster vs Scarlets TBC  
Mar 3rd - 4th  Leinster vs Scarlets RDS Arena, Dublin  
Mar 24th - 25th  Scarlets vs Edinburgh Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  
Apr 7th - 8th  Scarlets vs Treviso Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  
Sat 15th Apr 17:15 Dragons vs Scarlets Principality Stadium, Cardiff Sky/S4C
Apr 28th - 29th  Connacht vs Scarlets Sportsground, Galway  
Sat 6th May 17:15 Scarlets vs Ospreys Parc-y-Scarlets, Llanelli  


Squad

Rob Evans Prop
Werner Kruger Prop
Samson Lee Prop Dual Contract
Peter Edwards  Prop
Will Taylor Prop
Dylan Evans Prop  
Taylor Davies Prop    
Wyn Jones Prop

Ken Owens Hooker
Emyr Phillips Hooker
Ryan Elias Hooker    
Dafydd Hughes Hooker
 
Jake Ball Lock Dual Contract  
David Bulbring Lock
Rynier Bernardo Lock
Tom Price Lock
Josh Helps Lock    
Tadhg Beirne Lock/Flanker
Lewis Rawlins Lock/Flanker  
 
John Barclay Flanker
Aaron Shingler Flanker
James Davies Flanker    
Will Boyde Flanker    
Josh MacLeod Flanker    
Tom Phillips Flanker    
Shaun Evans Flanker  
Morgan Allen Number 8  
Jack Condy Number 8  

Aled Davies Scrum-half  
Gareth Davies Scrum-half
Jonathan Evans Scrum-half    

Rhys Patchell Fly-half    
Aled Thomas Fly-half
Dan Jones Fly-half    

Scott Williams Centre  
Jonathan Davies Centre Dual Contract
Hadleigh Parkes Centre
Gareth Owen Centre
Steffan Hughes Centre    
Matthew Owen Centre  
 
DTH Van Der Merwe Wing
Tom Williams Wing  
Richard Smith Wing  
Johnny McNicholl Wing/ Fullback
Steffan Evans Wing / Fullback    
Liam Williams Fullback  
       
Coaches      
Wayne Pivac Head Coach  
Stephen Jones  Attack Coach    
Byron Hayward Defence Coach    
Garan Evans Team Manager    
Ioan Cunningham Set Piece Coach

[ScarletSpiderman]

I heard the Moriarty link near the end of last season (much like the Patchell one the season before last). Supposedly a NDC is meant to be heading his way. I did hear that hope his potential signing this season was part of the reasoning behind us not signing a number 8/blindside in the summer.l, again much like when we signed Patch.

We have also just brought in Nicky Thomas from Glaws (who is meant to be good mates with him).

Another story doing the rounds is we are closing in on completing a deal to keep hold of Sanjay

[mikey_dragon]

Scarlets could do with a Moriarty type player. Your current back-row is completely unbalanced. Shingler at 6 asked to do a specific job, with Barclay at 7 and Moriarty at 8 could be a good unit. McLeod looks alright in the little I've seen of him.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Mikey, I have a suspicion that if we do get Moriarty, that may mean we lose Barclay or Shingler (contract is up this season)

[Guest]

Mad to think that Moriarty is only 22, his face genuinely looks about 40.

Would be a good signing, has the dyanism Shingler was showing 2-3 seasons ago, but with a bit more grit. Wonder if he's being lined up as an 8, as I don't think the 'dirty work' that a 6 is required to do comes as naturally to him as the ball carrying does.

[ScarletSpiderman]

As far as the back row goes I always get a bit lost as to how much the number on the back really matters.  As long as you have, amongst the three, someone who is willing to tackle everything that moves (and ideally be back up to tackle the next ones too), one who is willing to stick his head into the ruck and contest the ball, and one that is willing to run into brick walks for fun.  So the only difference I can see, is that an 8 has to be able to control the scrum (keeping it in until your scrum half wants it/grabbing and going if it's in etc)

[Guest]

I was thinking specifically in terms of how he's viewed by Wales and how the conditions of the NDC would impact where he plays, as Baker and Allen, as well as countless others, haven't lived up to their early promise, to the point where an injured Faletau still gets selected. I hope it's not a case of Rhodri to tighthead, because I think Moriarty seems like a good foil at 6 to someone like Lydiate, or a Robshaw type blindside, and I'm not sure he has the bulk to be a Test 8, so he'd have to find his niche. But I agree, at regional level, I don't think the numbers matter all that much, particularly when we regularly have three 7s in the backrow.

[ScarletSpiderman]

What a performance, and result. I think the RCC games have helped us a lot.

[Guest]

Good win lads! I enjoyed that game. Much was made of the lack of 'stars', but when both teams are hit (by Welsh call ups) then the playing field is levelled somewhat so it didn't really affect the game. I thought it was a good spectacle. Thoroughly enjoyable. You could argue that there were lots of errors (how many intercepts thrown?!) but I think it was mainly players trying to play an open, expansive, heads up game rather than poor skills such as knock ons, etc. Some ref howlers mind!

[Guest]

I think there's a fair few shocking performances to come this season. It'll take a few scraped wins, like the team managed last season, before the form turns around. I expect the exposure to genuine quality in the European group they've been drawn in will result in a big of a kick up the rear, and this in turn should improve the Pro12 form.

Wrote that on 12th September. Think I pretty much called it.

Great win tonight, fully deserved.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I think there's a fair few shocking performances to come this season. It'll take a few scraped wins, like the team managed last season, before the form turns around. I expect the exposure to genuine quality in the European group they've been drawn in will result in a big of a kick up the rear, and this in turn should improve the Pro12 form.

Wrote that on 12th September. Think I pretty much called it.

Great win tonight, fully deserved.

you called it, fair play

The type of play we shown in the last few games seems to be the more open/rSH style the coaches alluded to at the start of the season.

[Seagultaf]

The Scarlets are developing some very good young forwards, Boyd and Elias were superb last night, the other young flanker McLeod looks good also really pacy. Great to see Emyr Phillips get some game time, I can see Scarlets rotating him, Elias and Ken.
Still need someone to put their hand up at 8, Barkley is beginning to show his age, if the rumours are true Moriarty will be a good acquisition. Could also do with some more competition at lock, when was it that the Scarlets last developed a top lock?

[ScarletSpiderman]

Teams like tonight's LV= Ragdoll match

Scarlets:  
Tom Williams,
Richard Smith,
Ioan Nicholas,
Gareth Owen,
Ryan Conbeer,
Dan Jones,
Aled Davies,

Dylan Evans,
Emyr Phillips (capt),
Peter Edwards,
Tadhg Beirne,
Rynier Bernardo,
Jack Condy,
Josh Macleod,
Morgan Allen.

Replacements: Taylor Davies, Luke Garrett, Nicky Thomas, Josh Helps, Tom Phillips, Declan Smith, Jack Maynard, Billy McBryde.

Bath:  
Tom Homer;
Jeff Williams,
Matt Banahan,
Dan Bowden,
Jack Wilson;
Rhys Priestland,
Darren Allinson;

Beno Obano,
Tom Dunn,
Max Lahiff,
Matt Garvey,
Elliott Stooke,
Zach Mercer,
Guy Mercer (capt),
Paul Grant.

Replacements: Michael van Vuuren, Nathan Catt, Henry Thomas, Alex Humfrey, Josh Bayliss, Will Homer, Adam Hastings, Rory Jennings.

[True Raven]

The Scarlets are developing some very good young forwards, Boyd and Elias were superb last night, the other young flanker McLeod looks good also really pacy. Great to see Emyr Phillips get some game time, I can see Scarlets rotating him, Elias and Ken.
Still need someone to put their hand up at 8, Barkley is beginning to show his age, if the rumours are true Moriarty will be a good acquisition. Could also do with some more competition at lock, when was it that the Scarlets last developed a top lock?

Jake Ball?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Did really develop him though?

[mikey_dragon]

They buy all their locks, especially if the Landman rumour is true!

[ScarletSpiderman]

With the exception of Dom Day, I don't think we have produced a single lock since regionalism. That said, I think we have produce an international in every other position, so if it is one place we need to buy players, then so be it.

[Seagultaf]

With the exception of Dom Day, I don't think we have produced a single lock since regionalism.  That said, I think we have produce an international in every other position, so if it is one place we need to buy players, then so be it.

I don't think the Scarlets can claim the credit for Don Day's caps as he was playing for Bath at the time. I suppose that leaves Lou Reed.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Lou is an outsider though, not a local lad

[Seagultaf]

Lou is an outsider though, not a local lad

According to his bio he came through the Scarlets academy ranks, I think that qualifies him as a Scarlets product?

[ScarletSpiderman]

Fair enough, I though when he signed for the Blues they were saying he's a local lad for them. But to be honest, it's always a grey area for me. The likes of Rawlings and Condy, whilst from the Dragons region, never played for them (in any real matches), or like Sam Parry with us, so I never really class them as coming from anywhere other than where they got their first break.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Anyway, we looked good in the second half yesterday, and there were a number of lads who have put their names down for the squad against Keinster/Zebre

[Seagultaf]

Anyway, we looked good in the second half yesterday, and there were a number of lads who have put their names down for the squad against Keinster/Zebre

I haven't seen anything of the game but it looks to have been a very impressive performance against a strong Bath 15?

[ScarletSpiderman]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EtEBu6qajpI

Lv= highlights

[Seagultaf]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EtEBu6qajpI

Lv= highlights

Not a lot of sparkling Scarlets back play, but looked to be a very strong performance by the forwards in the second half.

[Guest]

LiamWilliamsLeaving?

Is this true?

I honestly hope not. He's a player I love to watch in PRO12.

[Welly]

Yep Williams to Sarries seems very much a done deal.

London and money and the best team in Europe.

Edit apparently turned down the Welsh offer which was worth more than the Sarries offer.

[Guest]

Yep Williams to Sarries seems very much a done deal.

London and money and the best team in Europe.

Edit apparently turned down the Welsh offer which was worth more than the Sarries offer.

Disappointed by that. A bit shocked that he would leave Scarlets, but I am reading that his girlfriend is in London and he wants to be close to her

It's all her fault

[marty2086]

Probably doesn't help that he'll never get picked ahead of Halfpenny at 15

Though he and Sarries are well suited to one another

[Welly]

Gatland will still pick Williams IMO.

Wonder how this will affect Gatlands law now.

[munkian]

Probably doesn't help that he'll never get picked ahead of Halfpenny at 15

Though he and Sarries are well suited to one another

He was last game ?

[marty2086]

Probably doesn't help that he'll never get picked ahead of Halfpenny at 15

Though he and Sarries are well suited to one another

He was last game ?

You mean when they played an experimental side?

[munkian]

Probably doesn't help that he'll never get picked ahead of Halfpenny at 15

Though he and Sarries are well suited to one another

He was last game ?

You mean when they played an experimental side?

Who, Japan ?

[wayne]

Gatland will still pick Williams IMO.

Wonder how this will affect Gatlands law now.

Next season the number goes up from 3 to 4, so he'll be fine in that regard, it is the following seasons when the number of exempt players starts to go down.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Unless they decide it's not going to go down. It's farcical.

Either none of them are eligible, or all of them are. Stop p!ssing about!

[wayne]

Unless they decide it's not going to go down. It's farcical.

Either none of them are eligible, or all of them are. Stop p!ssing about!

LP I totally agree with you, the opportunity to do anything about it was lost when Gatland extended his contract, but what I said above is part of the RSA.

[Steffan]

Liam Williams off to join a decent club in a decent league. Good on him and this can only help his Wales form

[ScarletSpiderman]

Yep Williams to Sarries seems very much a done deal.

London and money and the best team in Europe.

Edit apparently turned down the Welsh offer which was worth more than the Sarries offer.

As I heard it, the larger offer to stay in Wales had come too late.

He will be a big loss, but we will survive. We went without him for the whole of last season, and we were fine. That said I am a bit worried by some comments I have read saying he should not be allowed to pull on a Scarlets jersey (or even a Welsh one) again etc.

[wayne]

Yep Williams to Sarries seems very much a done deal.

London and money and the best team in Europe.

Edit apparently turned down the Welsh offer which was worth more than the Sarries offer.

As I heard it, the larger offer to stay in Wales had come too late.

He will be a big loss, but we will survive.  We went without him for the whole of last season, and we were fine.  That said I am a bit worried by some comments I have read saying he should not be allowed to pull on a Scarlets jersey (or even a Welsh one) again etc.

That last sentence SS is it off Scarlet Fever, if it is I'd take it with a pinch of salt.

[2ndtimeround]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cx9GSAYXAAAuj4d.jpg

Sean Gallagher the Ref for the Scarlets V Leinster game on Friday.
So much for Neutral officials, guess that only applies to certain team.

[Cardiff Dave]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cx9GSAYXAAAuj4d.jpg

Sean Gallagher the Ref for the Scarlets V Leinster game on Friday.
So much for Neutral officials, guess that only applies to certain team.

Connacht, not Leinster isn't it? Still IRFU of course.
http://www.irishrugby.ie/referees/becoming_a_referee.php

[2ndtimeround]

No he's a Leinster ref that's been seconded to Connacht as a development officer.
He's actually from and represents Navan, County Meath on the outskirts of Dublin.

[Cardiff Dave]

No he's a Leinster ref that's been seconded to Connacht as a development officer.
He's actually from and represents Navan, County Meath on the outskirts of Dublin.

Marvelous.
"Refereeing is a fantastic hobby". Like Scalextric in the attic, I guess.

[Seagultaf]

Liam Williams off to join a decent club in a decent league. Good on him and this can only help his Wales form

Just like his former club mate George North, who has gone from the best wing in Britain (last Lions tour) to someone who is struggling to hold onto his Wales place!

In fact I am struggling to think of any of the current and recent players who have improved by leaving Wales to play.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Liam Williams off to join a decent club in a decent league. Good on him and this can only help his Wales form

Just like his former club mate George North, who has gone from the best wing in Britain (last Lions tour) to someone who is struggling to hold onto his Wales place!

In fact I am struggling to think of any of the current and recent players who have improved by leaving Wales to play.

With the exception of Alfie, who developed into a fullback whilst in France, I can think of anyone who has actually improved as such. People claim Steve Jones improved, but I think it is more a case of he moved away and people dropped their small town attitudes towards him being a turk.

[Seagultaf]

Liam Williams off to join a decent club in a decent league. Good on him and this can only help his Wales form

Just like his former club mate George North, who has gone from the best wing in Britain (last Lions tour) to someone who is struggling to hold onto his Wales place!

In fact I am struggling to think of any of the current and recent players who have improved by leaving Wales to play.

With the exception of Alfie, who developed into a fullback whilst in France, I can think of anyone who has actually improved as such.  People claim Steve Jones improved, but I think it is more a case of he moved away and people dropped their small town attitudes towards him being a turk.

Agreed on that, Alfie and Steve were both some time ago and I am not convinced either of them improved. North, JD2, Halfpenny, Hook, Roberts, Lydiate, Melon, Paul James all seemed to get worse not better. The only one I can think of who improved has been Owen Williams, but he was a rookie learning the game when he left.

[ScarletSpiderman]

There are going to be some big calls over the coming weeks, with the non-internationals playing so well. Do we throw the internationals back in for Zebre (a) to get them back to regional speed before the RCC double header aginst Toulon, do we bring them back on the bench en masse, or do we let them rest up this week?

[Seagultaf]

There are going to be some big calls over the coming weeks, with the non-internationals playing so well.  Do we throw the internationals back in for Zebre (a) to get them back to regional speed before the RCC double header aginst Toulon, do we bring them back on the bench en masse, or do we let them rest up this week?

I expect the Scarlets as with other regions to mix and match. Maybe the Scarlets will start, DTH, Scott, Samson and Ball. With Owens, Barkley and Gareth Davies on the bench and Liam and JD2 rested?

[ScarletSpiderman]

I was hoping for something along the lines of
Zebre (away):
Steff Evs, McNichol, Steff Hughes, Parkes, DTH, Patch, J Evs;
Wyn, Elias, Kruger, Ball, Price, Shingler, Cubby, Boyd
(reps; Emyr, Rob Evs, Samson, Beirne, Barclay; Cawdor, Dan Jones, Scott)

Toulon (away):
Sanjay, McNichol, Scott, Parkes, DTH, Patch, J Evs;
R Evs, Emyr/Elias, Kruger, Ball, Bullbring/Price, Shingler, Cubby, Barclay
(reps; Ken, Wyn, Samson, Bullbring/Price, Boyd; Cawdor, Dan Jones, Foxy)

Toulon (home):
Sanjay, McNichol, Foxy, Scott, DTH, Patch, Cawdor/J Evs;
Rob Evs, Ken, Samson, Ball, Bullbring, Barclay, Cubby, Boyd
(reps; Emyr/Elias, Wyn/Dylan, Kruger, Price/Rawlings, Shingler; Cawdor/J Evs, Dan, Parkes)

But knowing our luck we will get a wave of injuries and none of them will be fit.

[Seagultaf]

I was hoping for something along the lines of
Zebre (away):  
Steff Evs, McNichol, Steff Hughes, Parkes, DTH, Patch, J Evs;
Wyn, Elias, Kruger, Ball, Price, Shingler, Cubby, Boyd
(reps; Emyr, Rob Evs, Samson, Beirne, Barclay; Cawdor, Dan Jones, Scott)

Toulon (away):
Sanjay, McNichol, Scott, Parkes, DTH, Patch, J Evs;
R Evs, Emyr/Elias, Kruger, Ball, Bullbring/Price, Shingler, Cubby, Barclay
(reps; Ken, Wyn, Samson, Bullbring/Price, Boyd; Cawdor, Dan Jones, Foxy)

Toulon (home):
Sanjay, McNichol, Foxy, Scott, DTH, Patch, Cawdor/J Evs;
Rob Evs, Ken, Samson, Ball, Bullbring, Barclay, Cubby, Boyd
(reps; Emyr/Elias, Wyn/Dylan, Kruger, Price/Rawlings, Shingler; Cawdor/J Evs, Dan, Parkes)

But knowing our luck we will get a wave of injuries and none of them will be fit.

What's the news on Bulbring, I have been really impressed with him this season and he would have been my pick for mom against Leinster? Also any news on Samson, he really looked out of sorts playing for Wales this Autumn, is he carrying another Wales induced injury?

[uncle_nigel]

What's the news on Bulbring, I have been really impressed with him this season and he would have been my pick for mom against Leinster? Also any news on Samson, he really looked out of sorts playing for Wales this Autumn, is he carrying another Wales induced injury?

Johnny McNichol just picked up one of those...

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