Scarlets can confirm that 15 senior players will be leaving the club at the end of the 2022-23 season.
It has already been announced that Sione Kalamafoni (RC Vannes), Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh) and Dane Blacker (Dragons RFC) will be moving to new clubs, while Aaron Shingler and Alex Jeffries are both to retire.
Aaron Shingler, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Patchell, Lewis Rawlins, Tom Price, Phil Price, Taylor Davies, Daf Hughes, Corey Baldwin, WillGriff John and Iestyn Rees will also be leaving the club.
Dwayne Peel, the Scarlets Head Coach, said: “It is always tough to make this announcement, all the players have given so much to the jersey during their time here.
“Players like Shings, Leigh and Patch have played massive parts in Scarlets successes in the league and in Europe over the years; Lewis Rawlins is a club centurion, while Phil Price, Tom Price, Dane and Sione have played more than a half century of matches. Every player has been committed Scarlets during their time here and I thank them all for their contributions and also for the professional manner in which they have handled what has been a difficult process this season. Our best wishes go out to them all for what comes next.
“I am sure all will have fond memories of this place and all will want to help us finish this season by being part of a squad that wins a European trophy.”
As is tradition after the final home game of the season, the departing players will receive a presentation in front of the supporters following next Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Glasgow Warriors.
Player departures 2022-23
Aaron Shingler
The 35-year-old has announced he is retiring from rugby at the end of the season after 15 years at the Scarlets. Shings made his debut for the Scarlets in 2009 and has gone on to make 226 appearances. The athletic back-rower won the player-of-the-match award in the 2017 Guinness PRO12 title triumph against Munster and was an integral part of the side that reached the Champions Cup semi-finals a year later.
Rhys Patchell
‘Patch’ joined from Cardiff Blues in 2017 and the Wales international fly-half went on to guide the Scarlets to a stunning PRO12 title in Dublin that year, with the side playing a sensational brand of running rugby. Has made 92 appearances over six seasons, scoring 442 points and 15 tries.
Leigh Halfpenny
The Wales and British & Irish Lions full-back arrived in Llanelli from French giants Toulon in 2017 and was a key member of the squad that reached the PRO14 final and Champions Cup semi-final in his first season in Llanelli. One of the deadliest goal-kickers in world rugby, Leigh has amassed 526 points in 58 games since his debut against the Southern Kings in 2017.
Sione Kalamafoni
The Tongan international No. 8 has been a big fans favourite since his arrival from Leicester Tigers in 2020. Has racked up 59 appearances, 10 tries and numerous player-of-the-match awards. Sione has signed for French side RC Vannes for next season.
Lewis Rawlins
A member of the Guinness PRO12 title-winning side that lifted the trophy in Dublin, Lewis made his Scarlets debut a decade ago and has gone on to make 133 appearances. Hasn’t played for the last two seasons because of injury.
Tom Price
Having arrived originally from Leicester Tigers, the experienced second row has played 74 times in Scarlets colours sandwiching a short spell with Exeter Chiefs.
Phil Price
The experienced loose-head prop will leave this summer after making 69 appearances since joining the Scarlets from the Dragons in 2018.
Javan Sebastian
The tight-head prop from Carmarthen has made 69 appearances in two spells with the Scarlets. The Scotland international is joining Edinburgh in the summer.
Dane Blacker
The scrum-half has played 56 matches over four seasons, scoring 15 tries and earning a call-up to Wales’ senior squad last autumn. Dane is joining the Dragons ahead of next season.
Taylor Davies
Taylor came through the age-grade ranks at the Scarlets, making his senior debut in 2016. Has played 39 matches.
Daf Hughes
The 27-year-old Llandovery product was handed the captaincy of the Scarlets in an URC game in Ulster last season – among the hooker’s 39 senior appearances since his debut seven years ago.
Corey Baldwin
The 24-year-old has had two spells at Parc y Scarlets around a short spell at Exeter Chiefs. Played 37 times for Scarlets, scoring eight tries.
WillGriff John
The tight-head prop joined from Sale Sharks in 2021 and went on to earn his first Wales cap as a Scarlet. Played 19 times.
Iestyn Rees
A Wales U20s international, the back-rower has played six times in Scarlets colours having made a try-scoring debut in a Rainbow Cup match against the Dragons in 2021.
Alex Jeffries
The loose-head prop made six Scarlets appearances during his four seasons at Parc y Scarlets. Has announced he is to retire because of a neck injury.
Blade Thomson has returned to New Zealand following his retirement from rugby in February, while Tomás Lezana joined French club Montauban in March. Josh Helps, who announced his retirement from professional rugby in November, will receive his presentation next Saturday.