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

[LordDowlais]

OK, here we go, I know I will get the usual barbs off Stone Motif, Risca, Uncle Nige/Mikey/Saint. But I am sorry, this has to be said.

We are now in a position where teams playing semi-pro rugby in the Welsh prem have better playing facilities than the supposedly professional outfit that are the Newport Gwent Dragons. The conditions that Rodney Parade were in on New Years day were unacceptable in today's professional environment.

Add to the fact that this entity is supposed to be representing pro rugby in Wales, yet continuously fail miserably, then serious questions need to be asked as to should we be putting up with another decade of failure. There is no excuse for the conditions the pitch was in. Yes I know that Newport FC play football on it as well, but Ospreys and Swansea share a pitch.

The region has failed to get suitable investment, they are predictably bottom of all teams except the Italians year on year, except that one time they finished above Cardiff Blues and celebrated that like a league win.

So, do we go another decade of embarrassment ? Do we keep letting this so called professional outfit fail year on year with no signs what so ever of improvement ? Or do we give another region a go ? Is it time now for North Wales, RGC1404, to be given a chance and Dragons get wrapped up ? Let's be honest here, any team could join the Pro 12 and be as affective as Dragons.

Right, now that I have gotten this off my chest, I will batten down the hatches, and await the usual, it's not our fault excuses and the WRU have shafted us lines.

It's a real shame, as Gwent as an area has a lot to offer Welsh rugby, but for me they have had their turn for over a decade now without reprisal, it's time to give somebody else a go.

You're welcome.

So again, point it out to me where I have said I want the Dragons to be disbanded. Go on. I know it is a challenge for you, but go ahead.

Or am I not allowed to ask the questions that I asked in that post ?

[RiscaGame]

I think he forgets sometimes his posting history remains online, bless him.

Never mind, when the WRU nominate RGC1404 as the 4th region to play in the Pro12, and Dragons have gone jubblies up, at least you can say you saw this coming years ago.  In the mean time, I will be telling all the Dragons fans to stop crying, get on with it and support your region, Cardiff Blues, I will also remind you that you had your shot at being a region and you failed, so stop whining.

Not antagonistic in the slightest.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

OK, here we go, I know I will get the usual barbs off Stone Motif, Risca, Uncle Nige/Mikey/Saint. But I am sorry, this has to be said.

We are now in a position where teams playing semi-pro rugby in the Welsh prem have better playing facilities than the supposedly professional outfit that are the Newport Gwent Dragons. The conditions that Rodney Parade were in on New Years day were unacceptable in today's professional environment.

Add to the fact that this entity is supposed to be representing pro rugby in Wales, yet continuously fail miserably, then serious questions need to be asked as to should we be putting up with another decade of failure. There is no excuse for the conditions the pitch was in. Yes I know that Newport FC play football on it as well, but Ospreys and Swansea share a pitch.

The region has failed to get suitable investment, they are predictably bottom of all teams except the Italians year on year, except that one time they finished above Cardiff Blues and celebrated that like a league win.

So, do we go another decade of embarrassment ? Do we keep letting this so called professional outfit fail year on year with no signs what so ever of improvement ? Or do we give another region a go ? Is it time now for North Wales, RGC1404, to be given a chance and Dragons get wrapped up ? Let's be honest here, any team could join the Pro 12 and be as affective as Dragons.

Right, now that I have gotten this off my chest, I will batten down the hatches, and await the usual, it's not our fault excuses and the WRU have shafted us lines.

It's a real shame, as Gwent as an area has a lot to offer Welsh rugby, but for me they have had their turn for over a decade now without reprisal, it's time to give somebody else a go.

You're welcome.

So again, point it out to me where I have said I want the Dragons to be disbanded. Go on. I know it is a challenge for you, but go ahead.

Or am I not allowed to ask the questions that I asked in that post ?

Are you serious? Can't you see that bit in bold? You wrote that less than a fortnight ago.

[RiscaGame]

[LordDowlais]

Are you serious? Can't you see that bit in bold?

That does not mean I want it to happen. I want improvement, it does not look like it's happening, so a kick up the @rris is needed. The best thing to happen would be for Dragons to have an owner who will back them.

So again, you had a go at calling me on it, but you are wrong. Don't worry I will not hold it against you.

[LordDowlais]

Oh, and here he is, my stalker. Hows it going Risca ?

[RiscaGame]

That the best answer you can come up with, is it Dowellais?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Are you serious? Can't you see that bit in bold?

That does not mean I want it to happen. I want improvement, it does not look like it's happening, so a kick up the @rris is needed. The best thing to happen would be for Dragons to have an owner who will back them.

So again, you had a go at calling me on it, but you are wrong. Don't worry I will not hold it against you.  

Forgive me Dowlais, but if you didn't mean 'for me they have had their turn for over a decade now without reprisal, it's time to give somebody else a go', then why did you say it?

[LordDowlais]

That the best answer you can come up with, is it Dowellais?

I only asked hows it going ?

You seem to have some serious underlying issues.

Also, if any of you want to see what a rude antagonising post is, see risca's above.

Difference is, I am not as touchy as some of our Newport based members on here, so I do not take it to heart.

[LordDowlais]

Are you serious? Can't you see that bit in bold?

That does not mean I want it to happen. I want improvement, it does not look like it's happening, so a kick up the @rris is needed. The best thing to happen would be for Dragons to have an owner who will back them.

So again, you had a go at calling me on it, but you are wrong. Don't worry I will not hold it against you.  

Forgive me Dowlais, but if you didn't mean 'for me they have had their turn for over a decade now without reprisal, it's time to give somebody else a go', then why did you say it?

Put it this way LP, if you saw something failing year on year, with no signs what so ever of improvement, what would you suggest ?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

'For me... it's time to give somebody else a go' is pretty unequivocal, Dowlais.

[LordDowlais]

I see the red bar brigade are out again. It always happens when you are about LP.

I do not have that option.

You could answer my question instead of constantly having a go at me though.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I've voted you down once, ever.

I'm going to leave this thread to the Scarlets fans now. If you want to explain to me how saying you want someone else to have a go doesn't mean you want someone else to have a go, post in on the Dragons thread.

[LordDowlais]

I've voted you down once, ever.

I'm going to leave this thread to the Scarlets fans now. If you want to explain to me how saying you want someone else to have a go doesn't mean you want someone else to have a go, post in on the Dragons thread.

you could put an end to all this and just answer the question.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I've voted you down once, ever.

I'm going to leave this thread to the Scarlets fans now. If you want to explain to me how saying you want someone else to have a go doesn't mean you want someone else to have a go, post in on the Dragons thread.

you could put an end to all this and just answer the question.

If only!

You'll find me on the Dragons thread.

[ScarletSpiderman]

10 Scarlets, 2 exiled scarlets in the 6Ns 34 man squad.

[Kingshu]

Scarlets seem to be hitting a good patch of form
Treviso Edinburgh and Zebre in the run in.

Is Top four realistic, is home semi? or winning Pro 12?

[ScarletSpiderman]

I think top four is do-able, but I would settle for just remaining in the top 6. We have done well during the international period so far this season, and last, but I think this 6Ns may be a bit harder as I can't see us getting Aled Davies or Jake Ball back even if they are just holding tackle bags.

[True Raven]

Dont Scarlets have Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Glasgow away coming up? And then end with the mighty O's at home

Tough ask to make the top four but wouldn't put it past them but cant see a home semi

[Guest]

Have to be aiming for Top 6 after the start to the season. Anything else is a bonus. Hopefully European Rugby might take its toll on those above around the Scarlets in the table.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Dont Scarlets have Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Glasgow away coming up?  And then end with the mighty O's at home

Tough ask to make the top four but wouldn't put it past them but cant see a home semi

We do have some hard away games coming up, but a few of those will be during the 6N period, so fingers crossed we can turn over one or two of them. Add in the Euro comps, where others may be pushing for silverware, we could get lucky. In a deam world, we will beat the Ospreys in the final game of hte season, to leap frog them, and set up another home game against them in the semi.

But still realistically, based on the three woeful losses in the first three weeks, reaching the RCC will be a result.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The turning point was when you managed to overturn a 14-20 half-time deficit to beat the Dragons 31-27.

If you can beat the Dragons at home, you can beat anyone.

[ScarletSpiderman]

The turning point was when you managed to overturn a 14-20 half-time deficit to beat the Dragons 31-27.

If you can beat the Dragons at home, you can beat anyone.

[international198]

Scarlets team to face Zebre tomorrow night:

Scarlets: J Mcnicholl; T Williams, S Hughes, H Parkes (capt), DTH van der Merwe; D Jones, J Evans; W Jones, E Phillips, W Kruger, T Price, T Beirne, A Shingler, J Davies, W Boyde.

Reps: R Elias, L Garrett, N Thomas, T Phillips, J Macleod, A Davies, G Owen, S Evans

The Zebre defence will simply not be able to cope with Steff Evans if he comes off the bench, IMO. He's simply too quick, too elusive and too agile for the Italians. A good performance by Steff Evans tomorrow night will put huge pressure on the Welsh management to select him for the Scottish game.

[glamorganalun]

J Mcnicholl for the scarlets had a poor game, he seems out of his depth even against Zebra. Scarlets forwards looked very good tonight showing high intensity throughout the game.

[2ndtimeround]

Mcnicholl is long overdue for a break, yes he dropped a couple of passes but he has played almost a year long season already after a full S15 then the ITM and now a regular in the Pro12 since the 1st week he arrived. I truly believe he will be as good a signing as Hadleigh Parkes has been. Just needs a proper break and pre season.

[chris_501]

He definitely looked better as a wing though in my opinion.

Good solid win, it was impressive to see how the Wales call up gave Stef Evans even more confidence to try a few things. They didn't always come off, but he looked lively.

[international198]

Tom Prydie is out of contract with the Dragons at the end of this season and they haven't offered him a new contract. Maybe the Scarlets could sign him to replace Liam Williams.

[RiscaGame]

Robin Davey reckons that's the rumour.

[international198]

Big game for the Scarlets on Friday night. They're playing Munster who are top of the Pro12.

[international198]

The Scarlets need to win tonight to finish in the Top 4 at the end of the season, IMO. Munster are very strong. The Scarlets will need a lot of luck.

[international198]

Remember the Scarlets beat Toulon a few weeks ago. If we can beat Toulon we can beat Munster.

[True Raven]

Scarlets beat Toulon at home, their away record is crap but good luck nonetheless

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Just wondering compared to last week against the ospreyis their any welsh person complaining about the ref tonight. I hope not

[Geen sport voor watjes]

This is effing hilarious. Hd isn't a bad ref he is just completely biased

[Guest]

Just wondering compared to last week against the ospreyis their any welsh person complaining about the ref tonight. I hope not

No one's watching it. It's not on TV.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

He is actually so biased it's unbelievable.

[marty2086]

He's just a crap ref, gave a try last week to Glasgow that was knocked on, saw the knock on on the big screen and didn't change his mind

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Completely out of his depth.

[Pot Hale]

Congrats Scarlets - deserved victory against Munster who seemed to leave the pitch after halftime. Scarlets walked through them for the bonus point win.

Laughably Bleyendal was made man of the match. Parkes and McNicholl had much better influence and impact.

That shakes up the table nicely with men in blue putting 50 on the Dragons at Rodney Parade. .

Ulster's game in hand and the following game against Trevino should give them 8-10 points. Scarlets are away at the RDS but they have a ten point lead on the Northerners this evening.

[marty2086]

Ulster's game in hand and the following game against Trevino should give them 8-10 points.  Scarlets are away at the RDS but they have a ten point lead on the Northerners this evening.  

Ulster have two games in hand over Scarlets, both against Zebre

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Ref was motm. By a mile

[ScarletSpiderman]

Game wasn't broadcast outside of Ireland, so I'm guessing that why there are no comments on the ref from Welsh posters.

I've seen the BBC highlights, and it looked like all the tries were good tries, for both sides.

Good thing is this puts us 16pts clear of the Blues in 7th place, with a max of 30pts available. With a game against Treviso at home still to come, and Edinburgh at home Dragons away also being probable wins. It looks like we should be in Europe next season.

[geoff999rugby]

You are in Europe for certain.

The only question is who are the top 4.

Ospreys beat Glasgow today and it is looking unlikely for Glasgow to make it.

Probably a head to head between Scarlets and Ulster but Munster and Ospreys could be sucked into it

[ScarletSpiderman]

Should be an interesting run in. Most top sides meeting each other at some point too. Just hoping that European tuns hamper the others, as otherwise I feel we will slip out of the top four right again.

[mikey_dragon]

Is it true you aren't fishing for a replacement for DTH, and are going to promote that U20? Impressed with Dan Jones lately btw, he's really flourishing under Pivac. Patch will no doubt be at 15 next season - I've said since day 1 that it's his best position.

[RiscaGame]

Prydie is the replacement for DTH

[mikey_dragon]

I wouldn't advise. Scarlets seem unlucky enough with injuries as it is.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Pivac has said we are not actively looking for a replacement. As back three options, we have McNicholl, Steff Evs, Tom Williams, deputiesed by Conbeer, Baldwin, Nicholas, and Richard Smith. Also the likes of Parkes, Steff Hughes, Gareth Owen, Patchell and Aled Thomas capable of putting in a shift on the wing or at fullback if required.

I'm sure if a player becomes available, and cheap, that we would consider them. However I think we have more important areas of the squad to address.

[international198]

Good news for the Scarlets. The impressive, skilful and inspirational youngster Rhys Patchell is due back from injury soon.

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