A packed Quinnell Lounge listened to the latest update from Scarlets management at an event at Parc y Scarlets this week.
Executive Chairman Simon Muderack, Managing Director Jon Daniels and Head Coach Dwayne Peel addressed fans and answered questions about matters on and off the field.
Here is a round-up of the evening
Simon Muderack opened up by speaking about the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four professional clubs, describing it as a big step forward and allowing us certainty and encouragement to pursue growth and investment moving forward. The deal will allow us to do a better job of planning over multiple years. The overriding message from Simon was that it is a significant step forward, it gives us stability, but there is still work to be done.
Jon Daniels spoke about his priorities coming into his new role as managing director – communicating and engaging more with stakeholders and supporters and also building on our matchday experience, making the games bigger events rather than just 80 minutes of rugby. Jon urged supporters to encourage their friends and family to attend matches, with every pound spent in the stadium making a difference to helping invest more money in the rugby programme.
There are three huge home games (DHL Stormers, Ospreys and Leinster) remaining this season which will define how we feel and how we look back at the campaign. Jon highlighted the away European tie in Gloucester as a night to remember for fans, which reminded people of the pride we have in the club and hopes that kind of atmosphere can be replicated at the final games at Parc y Scarlets. For the Ospreys game, the legendary Dafydd Iwan will be playing and more than 40 mini and junior sides will be involved in a rugby festival and matchday activities.
Jon confirmed they are close to confirming who will be the Scarlets kit supplier for next season.
Season Memberships will be launched in March and the club are looking to introduce greater value to a season ticket. Jon pointed out there has been a price freeze for the last four seasons, but with increased costs for the business, particularly utilities, the club are considering a modest price increase for the 2025-26 season. We understand the demands on supporters in the current economic climate and we will discuss the new pricing structure and potential Season Membership benefits with our Supporters Trust, Crys 16, and the Scarlets Supporters Group.
Dwayne highlighted that being competitive in every game has been a real focus this season and that the squad have competed in the majority in matches. There has also been a frustration that they were unable to see out certain games when we have led going into the final minutes. We could easily be sitting in second in the standings, but we’re aware there are a run of tough games coming up, something the group are excited about. The summer recruitment has helped and the new arrivals have helped push standards. They are a young, hungry group who are determined to improve. Dwayne pointed at growing a new group of leaders from 12 months ago. A lot of work has gone into ‘game drivers’ – the spine of the team. Defensively we have been better and statistically we have won more turnovers than any team in the URC.
The team are excited by the challenge of going to Thomond Park on Saturday. Joe Roberts, Ellis Mee, Kemsley Mathias and Taine Plumtree have been released from Wales’ Six Nations squad.
Dwayne spoke about the visit of former England coach Eddie Jones last week. Our Rugby Performance Director Leigh Jones worked with him during his time with the Japanese national team and Dwayne knew Eddie from his spell coaching Bristol and learned a lot from his attention to detail. Eddie spent an hour with the club’s senior and pathway coaches in Llanelli and for them to pick the brains of a coach of his experience was invaluable.
The continued success of the U18s was highlighted, along with the planning for these young players as they progress through the pathway. A number of the players from the last couple of years were part of the Wales U20s squad who trained against the Scarlets on Tuesday.
Dwayne highlighted that a lot of good coaching is going on within the academy, in conjunction with our schools and colleges, allowing the players to play ‘head’s up’ rugby. He also insisted standards have improved with the introduction of the new Super Rygbi Cymru tournament.
In terms of signings for next season Dwayne was asked about whether the club were looking at a replacement for Carwyn Tuipulotu who has joined Pau. Dwayne highlighted that the club have prioritised retaining a number of key players, which they have done and are looking at recruiting in a couple of positions. He said there is good news coming and the club will be making announcements in the coming weeks. Dwayne gave an update on Sam Costelow, who is hoping to return from his shoulder injury for the Ospreys double header.
Answering a question sent in online, Simon spoke about the club wanting to play a significant role in the future of women’s rugby in Wales.
Further questions from the floor were asked about the supporters’ bus on match day, flags for supporters, jersey options and food and beverage on matchdays.
Dwayne also highlighted the work of the Scarlets community team in engaging with young fans and the Community Foundation’s work across the region with clubs, schools, various groups and projects.
Jon reminded supporters that Crys 16 sit on our board meetings and our Supporters’ Liaison Officer Helen Davies attends match-day debriefs to provide feedback from fans.
For the evening, players brought in memorabilia that holds a special place for them. Skipper Josh Macleod brought in his 100th Scarlets cap, Steff Evans, his jersey from the PRO12 title win, Tomi Lewis a boot from Jersey’s Championship triumph and Gareth Davies, his player of the match award from the World Cup win over Australia in 2019.