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| Scarlets Rugby | |
|---|---|
| Teamname | Scarlets |
| Fullname | Llanelli Scarlets |
| Nickname | The Scarlets |
| Founded | 1872 (Llanelli RFC); regional side 2003 |
| Ground | Parc y Scarlets |
| Capacity | 14,870 |
| President | Nigel Short |
| Coach | Dwayne Peel |
| Captain | Jonathan Davies |
| League | United Rugby Championship |
| Season | 2023–24 |
| Position | 6th |
Scarlets Rugby is a professional rugby union team based in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The club competes in the United Rugby Championship and plays home matches at Parc y Scarlets in Pemberton, Carmarthenshire. Founded from the historic Llanelli RFC tradition and reorganised during the 2003 Welsh regionalisation, the team draws heritage from Welsh rugby culture, the Principality Stadium era, and regional rivalries with Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby, and Dragons RFC.
The origins trace to Llanelli RFC fixtures in the 19th century and landmark encounters such as the victory over the New Zealand All Blacks in 1972. During the early 2000s restructuring led by the Welsh Rugby Union and figures like Graham Henry, the regional side was established to compete in the Celtic League, later known as the Pro14 and the United Rugby Championship. The Scarlets have been led by coaches including Wayne Pivac, Simon Easterby, and Dai Young, and have featured players who represented Wales national rugby union team, the British and Irish Lions, and international sides such as Ireland national rugby union team, England national rugby union team, and South Africa national rugby union team. The club’s continental campaigns include participation in the Heineken Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup where they faced clubs like Toulon, Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby, and Saracens F.C..
Home fixtures are staged at Parc y Scarlets, a purpose-built complex inaugurated after relocating from the historic Stradey Park. The facility encompasses training pitches used by academies aligned with the Welsh Rugby Union development pathways and hosts community events tied to Carmarthenshire County Council initiatives. The stadium has welcomed touring teams from the Southern Hemisphere and European competitions, and its infrastructure supports sports science collaborations with institutions such as Swansea University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
The team identity draws on Llanelli’s maritime and industrial heritage and the red kit tradition originating with Llanelli RFC. Primary colours are scarlet red and white; alternate kits have featured black or navy influenced by trends set by clubs like Leicester Tigers and Glasgow Warriors. Emblems and branding reference local icons, civic partnerships with Carmarthenshire authorities, and merchandising channels that operate alongside retailers and international suppliers.
The squad has included internationals like Jonathan Davies (rugby union, born 1988), Ken Owens, Gareth Davies, Gareth Thomas (rugby union), Ray Gravell, Phil Bennett, Dwayne Peel, Rob Evans (rugby union), and Liam Williams. Coaching staff have combined former professionals from clubs including Cardiff Rugby, Bath Rugby, Newport Gwent Dragons, and coaching influences from New Zealand Rugby and South African Rugby Union. Recruitment pipelines utilise the Scarlets Academy linked to regional schools and youth clubs such as Llandovery RFC, Carmarthen Quins RFC, and partnerships with the Welsh Rugby Union national age-grade programmes.
Seasonal campaigns in the United Rugby Championship, Pro14, and European competitions have produced domestic top-table placings and knockout appearances against teams like Edinburgh Rugby, Zebre Parma, Benetton Rugby, and Munster Rugby. League restructures, player turnover, and coaching changes influenced outcomes each season, with notable runs including high finishes in the 2007–08 Celtic League era and competitive European group-stage qualifications facing Castres Olympique and Gloucester Rugby.
The regional side’s honours complement the legacy of Llanelli RFC which secured titles in the Welsh Club Championship and famous cup victories. Scarlets-era achievements include league honours, cup runs, and individual records such as appearances and try-scoring tallies held by players who have also earned caps for Wales national rugby union team and selections to the British and Irish Lions squads. Historic milestones reference matches at Stradey Park and landmark victories that resonate in Welsh rugby folklore alongside events like the 1972 match vs New Zealand All Blacks.
Community engagement is delivered through the Scarlets Foundation and partnerships with organisations including the Welsh Rugby Union, local councils, schools, and charities. Programs cover grassroots coaching, disability rugby initiatives, and talent development pathways linking to academies and regional youth clubs such as Swansea RFC and Aberavon RFC. Educational collaborations with universities and vocational partners support player welfare, sports science, and coaching qualifications aligned with governing bodies like World Rugby.
Category:Rugby union teams in Wales