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SCARLETS: Llanelli region appoint Irish title-winner Aaron Dundon as forwards coach

The Scarlets have appointed Aaron Dundon as their lead forwards coach ahead of the new season.

Dundon joins the Llanelli region from Leinster, the Irish province that won back-to-back United Rugby Championship titles.

He will take charge of the Scarlets’ forwards, overseeing the scrum, lineout, maul and contact areas as the region prepares for the new URC campaign.

Born in New Zealand, Dundon is a former Leinster player who made 49 appearances for the province before moving into coaching. His coaching career has taken in roles with Leinster, Ireland Under-20s, French clubs Grenoble and La Rochelle, Ulster, and Tasman Mako in New Zealand’s provincial championship.

The Scarlets’ director of rugby, Nigel Davies, said Dundon had come highly recommended.

“Aaron is someone who has been highly recommended by people whose opinions I trust enormously. Every conversation came back to the same qualities; his technical expertise, his preparation, attention to detail and ability to develop forward packs that consistently perform under pressure,” Davies said.

“He has developed within one of the strongest coaching systems in world rugby and has worked alongside some outstanding coaches throughout his career. Just as importantly, he is passionate about developing players, building strong relationships and continually driving standards.”

Davies said the club had wanted someone who could lead the entire forwards programme while keeping every area aligned.

“We wanted someone who could lead our entire forwards programme while ensuring every area works together. Aaron brings that leadership, but he also understands the importance of collaboration,” he said.

Dundon will work alongside the region’s existing lineout coach, Albert van den Berg, and Bradley Davies, who covers the contact area.

His arrival also allows Emyr Phillips, who had been combining scrum coaching with leading the Scarlets Academy, to move into a full-time academy role next season. Davies paid tribute to Phillips, saying his work developing the next generation of players was “fundamental to the long-term future of our club”.

Dundon said joining the Scarlets was an opportunity he relished.

“Joining a club with the history, ambition and identity of the Scarlets is a fantastic opportunity and one I’m incredibly excited about,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working closely with Dwayne Peel, Nigel Davies and the rest of the coaching team to help drive the club forward.”

He set out the style he wants to build, saying a strong set-piece would give the squad a platform.

“With a physical and dominant set-piece, the talented players in this squad can express themselves and play the exciting and expansive brand of rugby the Scarlets are renowned for,” he said.

“There’s a huge amount of potential within this group. The club has a fantastic squad which is building and I’m excited by what we can achieve together. The passion and backing of the Scarlets supporters are well-known throughout the game globally and I can’t wait to get started.”

The appointment is part of a wider strengthening of the Scarlets coaching group ahead of the new URC season, with the region having recently confirmed a new deal for captain Josh MacLeod.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Scarlets captain MacLeod signs new deal with region
Wales flanker Josh MacLeod commits his future to the Llanelli region.

Scarlets’ Anderson signs new deal with region
Number eight Fletcher Anderson pens a new contract.

Wales fans can hand £2 to their local club with every autumn ticket
A new WRU scheme supporting grassroots clubs across Wales.

https://www.europesays.com/uk/644235/ Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel leaves sister’s wedding, beats Cardiff and dashes back again #Britain #DwaynePeel #GreatBritain #Scarlets #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales

Scarlets boosted by return of internationals for Sharks clash

Rogers, Mathias, Ball and Lousi back in the XV

Tom Rogers, Kemsley Mathias, Jake Ball and Sam Lousi all come back from injury and go straight into the starting line‑up following last weekend’s defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.

Rogers resumes on the wing, with Blair Murray switching to full‑back. Joe Roberts partners skipper Johnny Williams in midfield, while Dane Blacker starts at scrum‑half in place of Archie Hughes. Sam Costelow continues at fly‑half.

In the pack, Mathias makes his first appearance of the season at loose‑head, joining hooker Marnus van der Merwe and tight‑head Archer Holz in the front row. Ball returns from head injury protocols to partner Harvey Cuckson in the second row, while Lousi is named at blindside flanker alongside openside Dan Davis and No. 8 Taine Plumtree.

Peel: “We have to be bold”

Head coach Dwayne Peel said the squad must continue to play with ambition despite a difficult start to the campaign.

“Obviously, we have been disappointed with results so far, but we can’t go into our shells in terms of how we want to play. We have to keep being bold and encourage the boys to go out and play,” he said.

“The Sharks are a dangerous team — you only have to look at their line‑up, 13 current Springboks, some of the best players in the world. The challenge for us is we need to be a collective, the boys have to fight for each other. What an opportunity and what a challenge for our guys.”

Scarlets team to face Hollywoodbets Sharks

Saturday, October 25 – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban (15:00 UK time; Premier Sports)

Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (capt), 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Unavailable (injury/illness): Max Douglas, Josh Macleod, Ryan Elias, Eddie James, Jac Price, Osian Williams, Will Evans, Dom Kossuth.

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