The official "Even London Irish have got a thread" Scarlets thread 2015/16

[Chunky Norwich]

First topic message reminder :

Come on bois.

[Seagultaf]

Disapointing that Rhodri is leaving, he was an extremely promising loose head prop and before he got injured (a year ago) he was beginning to show some form at tight head. Ironically it was the game at PYS against Ospreys (Xmas 2014) that he came on for Samson and smashing the Ospreys loose head (was it Duncan?) before getting injured and missing nearly a year of rugby. Maybe the Ospreys are taking him based on that cameo performance?

I hope the new Scarlet Saffa prop is better that their recent front row imports!

[ScarletSpiderman]

Seagul, he can't be worse than Will Taylor. I honestly can't remember him ever taking the field

[Seagultaf]

Seagul, he can't be worse than Will Taylor.  I honestly can't remember him ever taking the field

I suspect that Werner will cost a significant deal more than Will,Taylor. Scarlets have invested heavily in Southern Hemisphere props before and so far none have been any good. With Phill John and Pete the Meat in their mid 30s they really need this guy to be really useful.

Locks remain the biggest problem. Earle does not seem to be the same player since getting injured and has struggled along for a long time now. Other than Ball the remainder of the Scarlets locks are pretty lightweight. Hopefully the new Saffa will make the grade, they then need Earle to recover his form and at least one of the youngsters to step up, otherwise their exciting back division next season just won't get the ball.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Earle is of to the Blues in the summer (think I heard he passed his medical). Bulbring looked like a similar type lock to Snyman, but beefier, when we played Edinburgh. Given he had only been here about 10 days before that game, it looks promising.

[VinceWLB]

Are Scarlets still going to sign Jarvis as 4th choice for next season? As a Welsh international, i guess he wouldn't even come cheap too. What a waste of money that would be.

I thought Bulbring looked good and there were glimpses of the Earle of a few seasons ago.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Believe it is still going ahead. I think Jarvis is going to be needed, especially with Samson on international duty (I can't see Jarvis staying with team wales) and on a NDC. Also being welsh is helpful as it leaves the spare NWQ slots to sign up a decent backrow, lock and wing/fullback.

I see the tighthead slots being shared as follows
Samson Lee to start the RCC games, home games, and derby matches, with Werner to bench up.
Werner to start the away Pro12 games, with Jarvis benching.
Pete Edwards as injury cover.
Will Taylor to stay invisible until his contract ends.

[VinceWLB]

Pete Edwards is a better scrummager than Jarvis will ever be. Jarvis is one of those player who isn't strong enough to move from LH to TH.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Pete Edwards is a better scrummager than Jarvis will ever be. Jarvis is one of those player who isn't strong enough to move from LH to TH.

I agree, but Pete is coming up 65 next season so he deserves to be rested a bit more.

[Seagultaf]

Earle is of to the Blues in the summer (think I heard he passed his medical).  Bulbring looked like a similar type lock to Snyman, but beefier, when we played Edinburgh.  Given he had only been here about 10 days before that game, it looks promising.

Without a fit and firing Earle the Scarlets are still really short in the second row. Any plans for recruiting a replacement for Earls?

[ScarletSpiderman]

To be honest I haven't heard any names mentioned for a while since Dom Day was mentioned, but also linked to a move to Japan. That said the recruitment plans seem far more advanced than they used to be, so I have faith that they have something lined up or the trust in the four locks we have already to be complemented by people within the feeders if needed

[ScarletSpiderman]

SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac says he hasn't finished shopping for new faces ahead of next season.

Pivac this week added experienced South African prop Werner Kruger to his squad for 2016-17 and has revealed there are likely to be further additions in the coming months.

Wales and British Lions centre Jonathan Davies has agreed to return to Llanelli in the summer in what is a huge lift for the West Walians; Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell is also coming on board, while another South African, second row David Bulbring, has already arrived on a three-year deal.

With a number of players likely to be heading out the exit door, Pivac says he is still looking at another second row acquisition and also a back-three signing to complement the international pedigree of Liam Williams and DTH van der Merwe.

"We certainly haven't stopped looking," said the New Zealander.

"We are still active as a lot of clubs are. We are looking at the form of players in our outside backs, we have players who are coming off contract there and we have decisions to make whether we retain players or look outside.

"We are probably still looking at the second row as well."

The Scarlets, who sit fourth in the Guinness Pro12 table, will hope to be again playing at the top-level of Europe next season and can take another step towards Champions Cup qualification by upsetting Pro12 leaders Ulster in Belfast on Sunday afternoon.

"There is one point separating the top four and nine teams going for the top six, it is going to be a tight affair," admitted Pivac.

"We have had a points target from round one and we are tracking that on a week-by-week basis. The targets have changed because of the nature of the competition with everyone beating everyone. The top four points will probably be less than last year, but for the top six you will need a bit more."

So we can expect a lock and back three player. I have heard that Jon Evans (ex dragons) scrum half has been signed from Bath as a replacement for Rhodri Williams, which would make sense, similar player, and I would assume he would be a 'loan' player as Bath have hardly used him.

[Seagultaf]

Jon Evans would be an useful signing as he always looked a good player at the Dragons, so much so that I am a bit suprised that he is content with a third choice position at the Scarlets.

Dom Day would be an useful signing, Welsh and an ex Scarlet. Hopefully they won't be looking to poach players from their fellow Welsh regions. There have been rumours on these boards that Amos is looking for a move. But I think that the Regions need to work together to keep Wales top players in Wales unless; they are surplus to requirements, unable to get game time in their preferred position, Ie. moving to be first or second choice rather than second or first choice.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I've heard talk of the Dragons young NDC players are looking likely to be poached (on NDC) by Western Regions. But to be honest if Gats says Amos is too slow to play international wing then he will want him at fullback, and the Scarlets have Sanjay there, and also young Steff Evans (and Collins if we can retain him), so Amos would not get any game time. If anything I could see Morgan and Amos at the Ospreys, along with 90% of the rest of the NDC players.

[Seagultaf]

SS I think when you compare Amos with some of the Wings the Scarlets have been playing since North and Lamont left, then Amos would be a huge improvement. Robinson who has a good step but no pace and no defence, Phillips who has pace and nothing else. Also players like Tom Williams and even Gareth Owen being picked out of position.

I think Amos is a a fantasticly talented youngster that any of the Welsh Regions would be fortunate to have in their ranks, but that he should stay at NGD with their other young up and coming stars and the team built around them

[wayne]

SS and Seagul, we really need cover for full back and possibly wing, the latter because of injuries, the only viable person who could cover for the excellent Evans is Sam Davies, and with the way he is progressing at O/H would he stay if forced to cover F/B probably not. With the news that we are in talks with Englebrecht the emergence of Watkin the recovery of Beck for next season, Matavesi's reliability and the high hopes our coaching staff have with the other U20 Joe Thomas would we be talking with Englebrecht, if we have already signed Tyler? Now Hallam that would be really good for us, but then again I'm with Seagul on this I want 4 strong teams within Wales and would want both to stay there.

[RiscaGame]

Robin Davey says now that Hallam is staying at the Drags. Didn't say anything about Tyler, but now Ospreys are looking at extending JJ (as I just read on here), maybe they won't want him and obviously Scarlets with the two Welsh internationals won't benefit from him either.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I think none of us want to see anyone getting moved from one region to another by the union. I remember the Scarlets had that done to us when Mikey Phillips was moved to the Blues, so I would feel dirty if we were to do the same thing to someone else.

I agree with you with regards JJ being in talks, and the emergence of Watkin. However if it is a NDC move, what would Tyler Morgan actually cost the Ospreys , 30k if that?

[mikey_dragon]

Just so you know wayne, I briefly discussed this rumour* a couple weeks ago and got accused by you of making snide remarks about Ospreys.

A bit gutted if Jonny Evans is also moving west. I would much rather he came back to us so we can let go of Luc Jones! Besides that he'll be playing second fiddle to Aled Davies seeing as Scarlets seem to like their slow scrum-halves. It happened with Gareth Davies and Tavis Knoyle. Also I've read that Day is most certainly going to Japan so it looks like it's Ball and Bulbring packing down in the 2nd row next season. As for wings I was under the impression Phillips had gone, and that DTH and Tagi were considered the best options.

*

Now Hallam that would be really good for us, but then again I'm with Seagul on this I want 4 strong teams within Wales and would want both to stay there

[ScarletSpiderman]

Just so you know wayne, I briefly discussed this rumour* a couple weeks ago and got accused by you of making snide remarks about Ospreys.

A bit gutted if Jonny Evans is also moving west. I would much rather he came back to us so we can let go of Luc Jones! Besides that he'll be playing second fiddle to Aled Davies seeing as Scarlets seem to like their slow scrum-halves. It happened with Gareth Davies and Tavis Knoyle. Also I've read that Day is most certainly going to Japan so it looks like it's Ball and Bulbring packing down in the 2nd row next season. As for wings I was under the impression Phillips had gone, and that DTH and Tagi were considered the best options.

*

Now Hallam that would be really good for us, but then again I'm with Seagul on this I want 4 strong teams within Wales and would want both to stay there

Reading between the lines the only winger who is on the Scarlets books for next season, so far, is DTH. I think Parkes will stay, and will be the other first choice winger. Then it is all down to who we sign over the summer. But I have heard Tom Williams is indeed off, and the same goes for Tagi and Jordan Williams. I hope that Harry Robinson will also be down the road, I never rated him even when he was the 'next little thing' (after Shane and before Nipper).

[ScarletSpiderman]

Teams for Sunday

15 Collins
14 Owen
13 Reggie
12 Hadleigh
11 DTH
10 Aled T
9 Aled D

1 PJ
2 Kirby
3 Meat
4 Earle
5 Dai Tarw
6 Shingler
7 Boyde
8 Allen

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Dylan Evans, Rhodri Jones, Maselino Paulino, Rory Pitman, Rhodri Williams, Dan Jones, Steffan Evans

Ulster

(15-9): S Olding, C Gilroy, D Cave, L Marshall, J Stockdale, P Jackson (captain), P Marshall;
(1-8): A Warwick, J Andrew, R Lutton, A O'Connor, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): J Murphy, K McCall, B Ross, P Browne, C Ross, R Pienaar, I Humphreys, S Arnold.

[Seagultaf]

I really can't understand the experiment of playing Owen on the wing! Surely Steff Evans would be a better bet?

That Scarlets side is very weak, I can see anything past an Ulster bonus point win.

[PhilBB]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Amende-avec-sursis-pour-les-scarlets/635777

Suspended €10k fine for selecting an ineligible player.

[RiscaGame]

Bit of a let off. Suspended? Wonder what would've happened if they had won the game

[RiscaGame]

It's on BBC now. Such a pointless punishment. Just as well have given them a suspended two year ban from Europe too.

[ScarletSpiderman]

That's fair enough if he wasn't in the registered squad then he shouldn't have been involved. But if I remember right he didn't come in as he was a 11th hour change to the march day 23, when George Earle pulled up in the pre-match warm up. Paulino, I think got promoted to starting, and Cowley got put on the bench as our second row cover.

[Seagultaf]

I really can't understand the experiment of playing Owen on the wing! Surely Steff Evans would be a better bet?

That Scarlets side is very weak, I can see anything past an Ulster bonus point win.

Well clearly I didn't expect that! I missed the game as my daughters car broke down (sorted now) hopefully I will be able to catch the highlights.

We're the Scarlets good or Ulster poor?

[wayne]

I really can't understand the experiment of playing Owen on the wing! Surely Steff Evans would be a better bet?

That Scarlets side is very weak, I can see anything past an Ulster bonus point win.

Well clearly I didn't expect that! I missed the game as my daughters car broke down (sorted now) hopefully I will be able to catch the highlights.

We're the Scarlets good or Ulster poor?

Bit of both Seagul, your defence was outstanding as well as your midfield, Ulster contributed to your win though, some of their play was very poor. Good win for you though and upsets our hopes a bit

[LordDowlais]

We'll done Scarlets, a good win away from home against a side who did not have had many players out to the national side.

This is more like it, you see the regions are more than capable of going away from home and getting a result, why can't the regions be more consistant and make performances like this the norm, not the one off ?

Again, well done Scarlets.

[ScarletSpiderman]

We'll done Scarlets, a good win away from home against a side who did not have had many players out to the national side.

This is more like it, you see the regions are more than capable of going away from home and getting a result, why can't the regions be more consistant and make performances like this the norm, not the one off ?

Again, well done Scarlets.

Lord to be fair to the Scarlets we have only lost three times in the league (Leinster away, Ospreys away, Blues away), and we were only one score away from winning them too.

The result today was very impressive due to the guts and determination on display.

[Coleman]

The commentator really spoilt that game for me, the BBC Wales lot can be a shade one eyed at times but that fella took it to new levels. Dismal. Congrats Scarlets, gutsy win.

[True Raven]

You need to make that 2 SS as you lost to us at parc y Scarlets, we play at Liberty next month

[ScarletSpiderman]

Time will tell, Scott should be back then

[VinceWLB]

We'll done Scarlets, a good win away from home against a side who did not have had many players out to the national side.

This is more like it, you see the regions are more than capable of going away from home and getting a result, why can't the regions be more consistant and make performances like this the norm, not the one off ?

Again, well done Scarlets.

Lord to be fair to the Scarlets we have only lost three times in the league (Leinster away, Ospreys away, Blues away), and we were only one score away from winning them too.

The result today was very impressive due to the guts and determination on display.

Forgetting the Connacht away loss?

It seems after the Ospreys and Blues results over the festive period, luck is finally going you way, cracking win today. Also playing with 2 proper second row played a huge part in the win as opposed with the 2 lightweight you had out in Galway.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Erased it from my memory lol.

We have been lucky too many times, today felt more earned than last week or Connacht at home.

Bulbring is def a good signing already

[Cardiff Dave]

The commentator really spoilt that game for me, the BBC Wales lot can be a shade one eyed at times but that fella took it to new levels. Dismal. Congrats Scarlets, gutsy win.

I watched online and it was BBC NI commentary with Llanelli this, Llanelli that and great defence Llanelli.
Congrats on making the Ulstermen, sit down.

[True Raven]

Jon Evans is to join the scarlets from bath. Another player who wasted part of his career by leaving wales

[RiscaGame]

Yep.

Bath was a silly move. He was always going to be third choice there. That said, he'll probably be third choice at Scarlets.

[mikey_dragon]

Wasn't he fourth choice at Bath? Another silly move to go to Scarlets. They favour slow scrum-halves with a crap pass. He could have been second choice at Dragons for now. The board and coaches certainly let this one slip.

[RiscaGame]

Lyn can't push his boy further into the cold though.

[LordDowlais]

Wasn't he fourth choice at Bath? Another silly move to go to Scarlets. They favour slow scrum-halves with a crap pass. He could have been second choice at Dragons for now. The board and coaches certainly let this one slip.

You've changed your tune on that one.

[mikey_dragon]

Wasn't he fourth choice at Bath? Another silly move to go to Scarlets. They favour slow scrum-halves with a crap pass. He could have been second choice at Dragons for now. The board and coaches certainly let this one slip.

You've changed your tune on that one.

Please explain?

[LordDowlais]

Wasn't he fourth choice at Bath? Another silly move to go to Scarlets. They favour slow scrum-halves with a crap pass. He could have been second choice at Dragons for now. The board and coaches certainly let this one slip.

You've changed your tune on that one.

Please explain?

Because you were arguing with me about him a few days ago, that Dragons were right to not try and keep hold of him as he was about 4th choice there.

https://www.606v2.com/t62191-wales-scrum-halves

[RiscaGame]

[mikey_dragon]

Wasn't he fourth choice at Bath? Another silly move to go to Scarlets. They favour slow scrum-halves with a crap pass. He could have been second choice at Dragons for now. The board and coaches certainly let this one slip.

You've changed your tune on that one.

Please explain?

Because you were arguing with me about him a few days ago, that Dragons were right to not try and keep hold of him as he was about 4th choice there.

https://www.606v2.com/t62191-wales-scrum-halves

You're wrong. I was claiming he was around fourth choice for Wales, which I thought was obvious as the thread we were discussing it on was "Wales scrum halves." I'm not exactly going to claim he was fourth choice when he was keeping Rees out of the No.1 spot, am I? I didn't once say Dragons were right not to keep hold of him, or insinuate anything of the sort. So therefore I have not changed my tune.

[LordDowlais]

mikey, you make me laugh at times on here, this is what you said :-

Are you talking about Jonny Evans? He was down the pecking order, fourth or fifth choice, hence not offered a NDC (plus he was playing for the wrong region). He was about 1-2 years off being capable of Wales duty too. It's just a shame you don't watch more rugby otherwise you would have known this.


Now please, stop making yourself look stupid.

[mikey_dragon]

LD are you stupid? Or are you just trying to wind me up? I know what I said, and I just read it back. Why have you posted it here? I can only refer you to my above post and hope that you take it on board as you usually need telling things twice to be able to understand, at least for a couple days until you pop back up, forget what's been said and regurgitate the same rubbish.

Wasn't he fourth choice at Bath? Another silly move to go to Scarlets. They favour slow scrum-halves with a crap pass. He could have been second choice at Dragons for now. The board and coaches certainly let this one slip.

You've changed your tune on that one.

Please explain?

Because you were arguing with me about him a few days ago, that Dragons were right to not try and keep hold of him as he was about 4th choice there.

https://www.606v2.com/t62191-wales-scrum-halves

You're wrong. I was claiming he was around fourth choice for Wales, which I thought was obvious as the thread we were discussing it on was "Wales scrum halves." I'm not exactly going to claim he was fourth choice when he was keeping Rees out of the No.1 spot, am I? I didn't once say Dragons were right not to keep hold of him, or insinuate anything of the sort. So therefore I have not changed my tune.

[LordDowlais]

OK mikey, you win.

Lets not de-rail another thread.

All I am saying is, Dragons did not do enough to keep him. But I doubt you see it that way, it must be the fault of the WRU or it could be this participation rubbish that Phill is using as an excuse for Cardiff Blues.

[Seagultaf]

Yep.

Bath was a silly move. He was always going to be third choice there. That said, he'll probably be third choice at Scarlets.

Great signing for the Scarlets, I have allways been impressed when I have seen this guy play and suprised that he did not get more attention from Team Wales when at the Dragons.

Suprised also that he has not gone back to his region of origin. Any Dragons supporters know if he had any issues with the NGD management?

[LordDowlais]

This kid will oust Gareth Davies as well before long, he has something special about him.

[mikey_dragon]

OK mikey, you win.

Lets not de-rail another thread.

All I am saying is, Dragons did not do enough to keep him. But I doubt you see it that way, it must be the fault of the WRU or it could be this participation rubbish that Phill is using as an excuse for Cardiff Blues.

I'm not trying to win anything, I just won't be accused of saying something I never said and then have to explain it to you over and over. PhillBB doesn't have anything to do with this.

Evans wasn't going to be offered a NDC by the WRU any time soon because at the time he had Webb, Phillips, Davies and Williams ahead of him in Gatland's eyes - hence being fifth choice. They wouldn't offer a NDC to somebody in that position. I'm not sure how it went down so I can't say whether or not Dragons did enough to keep him. I imagine Dragons wanted him to stay but he wanted to try his luck at Bath rugby. Since watching Luc Jones play I've been desperate for Evans to return, I wonder if the board and coaches felt the same way...

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