Rugby World Cup star commits future to region

Scarlets can today confirm that international scrum half Gareth Davies has committed his future to the Scarlets.

The 25 year old scrum half, from Newcastle Emlyn, made a name for himself on the global stage in the recent Rugby World Cup campaign starting all five of Wales’ games scoring five tries, earning him a place in the top five try scorers of the tournament.

Davies joined the Scarlets Academy in 2006 and has gone on to make 120 appearances for the region since making his debut as a replacement against Newport Gwent Dragons in March 2009. His new regional contract comes as a welcome boost for supporters ahead of the biggest game of the season against Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day and sees him remain at the region until at least the end of the 2017-18 season.

A string of solid performances in 2013-14 saw Davies pick up WRPA Young Players of the Season, Scarlets Players’ Players of the Season and Worthington’s Supporters Player of the Season earning him a call up to the Wales Trial Possibles squad and went on to win his first international cap against South Africa on the 2014 Summer Tour.

He was also named in the 2013-14 PRO12 Dream Team after securing the top spot in the Leading Try-Scorers list that season.

Davies joins a strong pool of existing Scarlets already signed up for the new season including captain Ken Owens, Jake Ball, John Barclay, Aled Davies, James Davies, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, Aaron Shingler, Liam Williams and Scott Williams. Jonathan Davies and Rhys Patchell will be two new additions to Scarlets’ squad.

Commenting on the news Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac said: “We’re pleased to confirm that Gareth has committed his future to the Scarlets. Coming off the back of recent news that Aled Davies has also extended his contract it gives us that strength in depth at scrum half position as we continue to build for the future.

“Gareth had a very successful World Cup campaign with Wales scoring some good tries but coming back to the region and having to compete for the number nine shirt with Aled and Rhodri keeps the players sharp and ensures that they’re always developing and improving.”

Davies added; “I’m very pleased to have signed a new contract to stay at the Scarlets for another couple of seasons. Interest from elsewhere has been flattering but I always wanted to remain here and continue my development at the region I’ve been supporting since I was a child.

“There’s great competition for places here in the squad at the moment and both Aled and Rhodri have been playing some good rugby. Since coming back from the World Cup I’ve had to challenge them both; it’s good to have strength in depth in the position, it keeps us all on our toes.

“I’m looking forward to the next couple of years here in West Wales as we continue to build and we’re all looking forward to the big derbies over Christmas.”