Scarlets
The Scarlets ( Llanelli Scarlets until 2008 called ) are an existing since 2003 professional rugby union team from the Welsh town of Llanelli. They play in the international championship Pro12 and in the Anglo- Welsh Cup competition Anglo -Welsh Cup. The home games are played at Parc y Scarlets.
History
Until the 2003/04 season the Welsh Rugby was divided in a typical pyramid leagues, with nine professional clubs in the top league. Thus, the system was similar to the Guinness Premiership in England and the Top 14 in France. However, the Welsh market proved to be too small for nine professional teams. Then began the nine professional clubs to join together in regional teams. In the region Llanelli Llanelli RFC, these were the, of Carmarthen RFC, Llandovery RFC and the Narberth RFC. The amateur and youth teams of these clubs operate remain under their original names.
The first season of the Llanelli Scarlets, whose squad consisted mainly of players of Llanelli RFC, was extremely successful. They reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup competition, the Heineken Cup and won the championship title in the Celtic League. 2005 did not make the Scarlets qualify for the Heineken Cup, but crashed in the EDF Energy Cup, the Welsh teams were allowed for the first time, before the finals, where they were subject to the London Wasps. In the Heineken Cup 2006/ 07, the Scarlets have won all the matches of the group stage, but then lost in the semi-final against Leicester Tigers. In the 2012/13 season, they came before the semi-final of the Pro12, where they were subject to Ulster.
Regional breakdown
The professional rugby in Wales is based on four franchises that are owned by the Association Welsh Rugby Union, covering a specific area. The franchise of the Llanelli Scarlets covers the entire west and north Wales. The Llanelli Scarlets must absorb all the players who play for clubs in the area, in their squad.
Stadium
Most home games are played the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, home of Llanelli RFC. Several times a year, however, find some home games at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham instead to represent North Wales better. By 2008, the team played in the Stradey Park.
Achievements
- Celtic League / Pro12: Champion 2004
- EDF Energy Cup: Semi-finalist 2006
- Heineken Cup: Semi-finalist 2007
Player
Current squad
The squad for the 2013/2014 season:
Front team ( forwards)
Pillar
- Wales Rob Evans
- Wales Shaun Hopkins
- Wales Phil John
- Wales Rhodri Jones
- Wales Samson Lee
- Fiji Deacon Manu
Hooker
- Wales Kirby Myhill
- Wales Ken Owens
- Wales Emyr Phillips
- Wales Darren Harris
Second - row players
- Australia Jake Ball
- Wales Joel Galley
- Wales Richard Kelly
Winger / Number Eight
- Scotland John Barclay
- Wales Duane Eager
- Wales Rob McCusker (C )
- Wales Craig Price
- Wales Lewis Rawlins
- Wales Aaron Shingler
- Wales Dan Thomas
- Wales Josh Turnbull
Behind team ( backs)
Scrum half
- Wales Aled Davies
- Wales Gareth Davies
- Wales Rhodri Williams
Compound Semiconductors
- Wales Josh Lewis
- Wales Rhys Priestland
- Wales Steven Shingler
- Wales Aled Thomas
- Wales Jordan Williams
Indoor Three Quarter
- Wales Jonathan Davies
- Wales Gareth Maule
- Nic Wales Reynolds
- Wales Adam Warren
- Wales Scott Williams
Outer three-quarters
- Wales Kyle Evans
- Wales Kristian Phillips
- Wales Lee Williams
Goalkeeper
- Wales Gareth Owen
- Wales Liam Williams
Well-known former players
- Inoke Afeaki ( Tonga )
- Lee Byrne
- Leigh Davies
- Bruce Douglas ( Scotland)
- Simon Easterby
- Mike Hercus (USA)
- Dave Hewett (New Zealand)
- Dafydd James
- Mark Jones
- Stephen Jones
- Sean Lamont (Scotland )
- Robin McBryde
- Kees Meeuws
- George North
- Dwayne Peel
- Mike Phillips
- Alix Popham
- Wayne Proctor
- Scott Quinnell
- Matthew Rees
- Mahonri Schwalger (Samoa)
- Mark Taylor
- Iestyn Thomas
- Chris Wyatt