First the King, now The Count returns

Former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones is to return to Scarlets as backs coach from Wasps at the end of the 2014-15 season as current attack coach Mark Jones departs.

More at - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30778452

Excellent news on both fronts.

When Steve anounced that he was going into coaching, I think it was Nugget and Shane who commented, that he had been coaching for years aleady! Do you think the WRU are behind this move and that this is a step towards a role in the Welsh camp?

Mark Jones has not impressed of late, admitedly the Scarlets have lost a lot of star backs in recent years, but their back play has become a bit predictable.

Do you think a chance to work with Steve will attract a young up and coming no 10 to the Scarlets to replace Priestland, or will the Count fancy pulling on the jersey again?

I'm not a Scarlets fan (herself is) but I've always liked Stephen Jones. I believe Gatland said that if Stevo stepped into coaching he would be a natural.

Herself has told me that a lot of Scartlet fans have been distinctly underwhelmed by Mark Jones as a coach

Seagul, I think the majority of Scarlets supporters have wanted rid of mark jones for the last couple of seasons, even when we had, North, Foxy and Stoddard in the backline, we still looked clueless under Marks coaching! From what I've heard also he wasn't very popular with the players either. I liked him as a player but not a coach.

With  a bit of luck Stevo will command a bit more respect from the players and hopefully we'll get an experienced 10 in to replace Rhys and a couple of wingers and push on in the backs next season.

I wonder if Priest would have been more likely to have stayed if he knew Stevo was going to be coming back?

Was Priest going a pre-requisite for Steve joining?

I doubt it, I believe they had a good working relationship. When Rhys' contract was up last year there was a lot of talk down our way about him being in talks with Steve about heading to Wasps.

Also if you listen to the talk over the last few years, when Steve was here (even during the Jenkins and Nigel Davies era) Steve was heavily involved in the training of the backs, and coming up with their set plays etc. So theoretically we could see the Scarlets backs returning more to their recognisable style with Steve back.

Wellies on a dual contract?

To be fair, Mark Jones was never going to be much of an attack coach given what he was renowned for when he played (running in a straight line).

Wasps have playing some good attacking rugby this season with nice cohesion between backs and forwards. Could be a good signing for the Scarlets. Wonder if he'll bring in his mate Goodey for a season...

Risca Rev wrote:To be fair, Mark Jones was never going to be much of an attack coach given what he was renowned for when he played (running in a straight line).

He was injured for a large amount of his career.

Good news for Scarlets, Wellies seems to be doing good things with an exciting wasps back line...

And? Doesn't mean he wasn't renowned for only running in a straight line

Risca Rev wrote:And? Doesn't mean he wasn't renowned for only running in a straight line

He was a winger...!
Most wingers run a lot of straight lines

Oh dear.

Risca Rev wrote:Oh dear.

Plus "Oh dear, Oh dear". The lone Llanelli Scarlet did well, not to be decapitated by England's newly discovered volcano. Great pick up by Gethin Jenkins mind ewe.

England 19-26 Wales...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7215056.stm