Scarlets duo bid farewell to Parc y Scarlets

The Scarlets will bid farewell to two back row players in their squad at the end of the season as they take up new challenges in their rugby careers.

It has now been confirmed that back row Johnathan Edwards and number eight Kieran Murphy will all move on from Parc y Scarlets at the end of the 2012/13 season.

The Scarlets would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to both players for their commitment to the region.

Openside flanker Johnathan Edwards, 28, leaves the region after an impressive 119 appearances in the Scarlets jersey with 60 points over eight seasons with the West Wales side.

Born and raised in Llantwit Fardre, popular Scarlet Edwards was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen and is a fluent Welsh speaker. He joined the Scarlets in 2004 after spending time with Pontypridd, Cardiff and the Blues Academy.

Number eight Kieran Murphy, 25, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland but moved to Swansea when he was two years old. He previously played for Llandovery RFC and has pushed his career on after benefitting from playing Scarlets senior rugby for the past two seasons with 41 appearances and 30 points.

He joined the Scarlets in June 2011 and made his debut for the first team against Leicester Tigers in the LV Cup match on 15 October 2011 at Parc y Scarlets. The Scarlets won the match 31-3 and Murphy scored two tries.

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said: “I would like to thank both players personally for all they have given to the Scarlets and for their commitment and dedication to our region both on and off the field.

“Kieran has worked very hard at his game and his conditioning and his attitude has always been very professional at Parc y Scarlets. He is an intelligent and mature player and having come to pro rugby late – has achieved a great deal in a short time.

“He’s an inspiration and example to anyone wanting to challenge themselves in rugby outside the traditional development pathways that with a good work ethic, will and commitment you can succeed.”

“I would like to pay tribute to Jonny Edwards who has been a big part of this region for a number of years and has been a loyal servant to the Scarlets.

“He has captained our region with pride and has been a mainstay of our back row and a senior figure in our team over a number of years – helping guide and develop younger players during blocks of international rugby when we have lost large numbers of our squad.

“We are very grateful to him for his service to the Scarlets and he leaves with our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all he has given to our region.”

“Both these players are good rugby professionals, work hard and have been a real credit to our region and our rugby environment. They have been popular members of the Scarlets squad both with supporters and colleagues and we all wish them the very best in their future careers.”