Scarlets confirm release of Head Coach Nigel Davies

The Scarlets have confirmed that Nigel Davies has been released by the West Wales region to take up a position as Director of Rugby at Gloucester with the appointment of Simon Easterby as the Scarlets’ new Head Coach.

Davies has been at the heart of the West Wales region for a period of 28 years both as a player and then a coach with the last four years of his career as Head Coach of the Scarlets.

His most recent role saw him bring forward and develop a strong group of Scarlets and Wales’ new international players including many of the current Wales back line – Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Jon Davies and George North.

Following the conclusion of contract release negotiations, the Scarlets can confirm today (Sat 2nd June) that Davies will leave Parc y Scarlets next week in the closed rugby season to take up his role within the English Premiership.

As a result, the Scarlets will bring forward their succession plan already in place within their current coaching group, with successful Scarlets Defence Coach Simon Easterby stepping up to take the lead role as Head Coach at Parc y Scarlets. The distinguished former Scarlets captain, British Lion and Ireland’s most capped back row played more than 200 games for the Scarlets before moving from player to coach two seasons ago.

Easterby will lead a strengthened Scarlets coaching group alongside Backs Coach Mark Jones, Strength and Conditioning Coach Brad Harringon and the newly appointed Forwards Coach Danny Wilson, ensuring a strong structure and continuity and consistency of environment, values and approach for the playing squad within a close-knit Scarlets set-up.

Davies leaves the Scarlets to take up his new role with Gloucester Rugby with immediate effect. He has been the Head Coach at Welsh region the Scarlets since June 2008. His association with his home region in West Wales spans three decades having spent his entire playing career in Llanelli, before moving to a role as Attack Coach for seven years during which time the club achieved four Heineken Cup quarter-finals and two semi-finals.

The Llanelli born and bred centre won 29 caps for his country between 1988 and 1997, before joining the Welsh national coaching set up under Gareth Jenkins. Davies is one of the very few Welsh players to have both coached and captained his country. He was caretaker Wales coach for one match against South Africa.

As a player of undisputed talent he played 498 games for Llanelli becoming one of only 21 players to have scored more than 100 tries for the Scarlets where he also played in a record nine Welsh cup finals, winning six.

He returned to the Scarlets as Head Coach in May 2008 leading the development of the Scarlets squad which includes the emergence onto the regional and international scene today of some of Wales’ most exciting new rugby talent. Davies has been part of the region’s philosophy of developing Welsh talent from within resulting in 13 Scarlets players within international teams in the recent Six Nations. His commitment to coaching at the Scarlets has culminated in producing over 40 players for national teams during his career.

Scarlets outgoing Head of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “It has been a true honour and a privilege to be Head Coach of the Scarlets and the last four years has been one of the most proud periods of my professional career.

“Coming from Trimsaran, to be Head Coach of the Scarlets has been so much more than a job to me – it has been pinnacle of my Welsh rugby career to date to be able to lead the region that has been such a major part of my life and such an inspiration to me.

“I am grateful to the board directors, the players, my coaching colleagues, sponsors and supporters and all those who has been part of my career for all the support they have given me at the Scarlets.

“I’d like to pay particular tribute to our former Chairman Huw Evans who appointed and trusted me with the role of Head Coach. Without his support, commitment and determination the Scarlets would not be as they are today; he ensured we stood alone safeguarding our tradition, values and heritage and committed five full years to deliver his vision to create one the best rugby facilities in Europe at Parc y Scarlets for us. We all owe him a great debt.”

Davies added that opportunity presented by Gloucester comes at the right time in his professional career and backed by the knowledge of a firm foundation for the future and belief in the ability and drive of the coaching group at Parc y Scarlets.

He said: “I have always felt that at the right time, I’d want to challenge myself in a different environment and this new role presents with me that exciting new ambition. Professionally, I know this is the right decision, but emotionally it has been one of the most difficult things to do.

“During the past four years I’ve have worked with real intensity with a talented and committed group of ambitious coaches and players.

“I believe I leave the Scarlets on a very firm footing in terms of results, performance and the development of players and it’s great to see that there will be another group of young talented players that have come through the Scarlets system getting their first caps at Wales’ game against the Barbarians this weekend.

“My decision is underpinned by my belief that the coaching group at the Scarlets has progressed significantly over the past two seasons. Simon (Easterby) and Mark (Jones) with the added impetus of Danny Wilson, will create a talented, dynamic and energetic coaching environment and I have no doubt they will move it forward successfully. I wish Simon all the very best and he has my full support in his appointment as the new Head Coach.”

Scarlets Chief Executive Mark Davies said: “Nigel’s commitment to the Scarlets has been both profound and invaluable and there can be no doubt that, wherever his career takes him he remains a passionate Scarlet at heart. We fully understand and support his desire to challenge himself with the experience of a different environment at this stage of his career

“This has clearly been a very difficult and significant decision for him and his family, and we have been determined to ensure he has had the opportunity to take the time he required to consider and reach the decision he has made.

“Under Nigel’s leadership, the development of our coaching group over the last two years has been as significant as that of our players, with Simon and Mark taking ownership of key areas of performance on the field.

“With the addition of Danny as a highly regarded technically focused Forwards Coach, this group will ensure we progress in all areas of our game, with Gareth Jenkins continuing his significant contribution in development – delivering, new and exciting talent. We will be also be working closely with the WRU in the recruitment of one further specialist skills coach.”

Huw Evans, Scarlets Funding Director and former Chairman who has worked with Nigel Davies for over a decade said: “Nigel’s contribution has been at the heart and soul of this rugby region throughout his playing and coaching career to date. His recent credentials as our Head Coach speak for themselves with a significant increase in the number of Scarlets international players for Wales during his tenure – with 13 in the Six Nations international squads.

“He has moved the percentage of our home-grown players from 53% in 2008/9 to 79% in 2011/12 and a net try count which is up by 26 tries this season.

“This will have been a tough decision for him, but he leaves Scarlets rugby in a very healthy and strong position and has given so much over the past four years during a difficult time and a recession. He has made his mark, reconstructed the squad and been uniquely responsible for the development of some of the most exciting talent in Wales, something which we are all very grateful for as supporters of
Welsh rugby and as true Scarlets.

“He has made a decision to try a new challenge and we respect that and he leaves with our blessing and most deepest sincere thanks. However, we know that the door is firmly open in Wales for him – and we are sure that one of Wales’ finest sons will return in the future.”