**Bradley Davies Joins Scarlets as Coaching Team Reshuffle Sees Former Wales Boss Depart**
The Scarlets have announced a significant addition to their backroom staff, with former Wales international Bradley Davies stepping into a new coaching role for the upcoming rugby season. This move comes as the club reshuffles its coaching structure, also confirming the departure of a former Wales coach.
Davies, who earned 66 caps for Wales during a distinguished playing career, arrives from the Ospreys where he has spent the last two years contributing to their academy set-up. In addition to his work with the Ospreys, the 38-year-old has been collaborating with Scott Baldwin at Bridgend Ravens, a Super Rygbi Cymru outfit, gaining further invaluable experience on the coaching front.
As he joins Dwayne Peel’s coaching team at Parc y Scarlets, Davies will take responsibility for overseeing the critical contact area of the game. He will work alongside fellow assistant coaches Jared Payne, Albert van den Berg, and Emyr Phillips, aiming to help propel the Scarlets to further heights following their recent progress.
Reflecting on his appointment, Davies expressed his excitement and gratitude. “I am honoured to be joining the Scarlets as a coach,” he said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for my coaching journey, and one I intend to embrace fully. I’m passionate about contributing my knowledge and pushing this team towards its ambitions.” Davies was quick to thank his colleagues at the Ospreys Academy and Bridgend Ravens, describing his time at both as being instrumental in preparing him for this professional step.
His transition from player to coach has been deliberate and steady. Notably, he captained Wales on their 2013 tour of Japan and was one of a select group of players chosen for the Welsh Rugby Union’s player-to-coach scheme in 2019—a programme aimed at developing the next generation of Welsh coaches with international pedigree.
Head coach Dwayne Peel welcomed Davies’ arrival, highlighting the former lock’s blend of experience and drive. “Brad is a young, ambitious coach who brings boundless energy and a wealth of top-level rugby experience. We’ve made solid progress this season by returning to the Champions Cup and advancing to the URC play-offs, but the goal is continual improvement. Brad’s addition gives us extra firepower as we prepare for pre-season,” Peel commented.
Along with Davies’ arrival, the Scarlets also announced updates to their academy coaching set-up. Scott Sneddon, who is currently involved with the Wales U20s, retains his position as head coach, supported by Phil John, Tom Phillips, and Rhodri Jones. This team will be tasked with maintaining the development pipeline that has been a hallmark of the Scarlets’ approach.
However, change isn’t limited to new arrivals. The region also confirmed the departure of Gareth Williams, the former Wales contact area coach who previously served as Scarlets’ defence coach and most recently as academy pathway manager. Stepping into Williams’ shoes will be Emyr Phillips, who will balance his duties as scrum coach with an expanded role nurturing emerging talent within the region.
As the Scarlets prepare for the new campaign, the integration of seasoned figures like Davies and the evolution of their coaching roster underline the club’s commitment to both immediate results and long-term development. With pre-season around the corner, supporters will be watching closely to see how these changes translate on the pitch.
The coming months will test the Scarlets’ ability to fuse new ideas with established practices, with the ambition firmly set on building upon last season’s progress. Time will tell if these coaching moves can deliver the consistency and success that fans have been craving.