Scarlets sack coach as part of backroom reshuffle

Scarlets have sacked former Wales assistant Gareth Williams as their defence coach as part of a coaching reshuffle at the United Rugby Championship (URC) strugglers.

The URC team, who sit just two points off bottom position in 14th place on the table, issued a statement on Monday saying that the changes were made on February 12.

Considering a new role

Scarlets revealed that Williams is “considering a role with the Scarlets Academy and development pathways”, ultimately confirming he is no longer part of the first team.

That has led some tweaks to the layout of the coaching team as head coach Dwayne Peel now leads the region’s attack and Jared Payne becomes the defence coach.

Payne is also poised to continue with his backs and attack responsibilities while Albert van den Berg (forwards) and Emyr Phillips (scrum and contact) remain in their roles.

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As mentioned the news has been announced on Monday evening on the back of a 42-7 hammering at the hands of Munster at the Parc y Scarlets in Scarlets’ latest URC game.

That was Peel’s men’s eighth loss in the league in 10 games this season, winning the other two, as only the struggling Dragons and Sharks sit below them in the standings.

Worst defence in league

Their defence is the worst in the URC as they have leaked 352 points in those 10 matches, which has ultimately cost former Wales hooker Williams his position.

It is not just the URC where the Scarlets have struggled this campaign as they finished bottom in Pool 3 of the Challenge Cup, losing four games from four in the group stage.

Scarlets’ next game will be against 10th-place Connacht, who overcame Cardiff last week, in Galway in Round 11 of the United Rugby Championship a week on Saturday.

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