Welsh international announced at region as former Wales coach leaves
The Scarlets have also confirmed the departure of a former Wales coach
Former Wales lock Bradley Davies is climbing up the coaching ladder
(Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency )
The Scarlets have confirmed the addition of former Wales international Bradley Davies to their coaching team ahead of next season.
The 66-cap second-row joins from the Ospreys, where he has been working as an academy coach for the last two seasons. He has also been working with Scott Baldwin at Super Rygbi Cymru side Bridgend Ravens.
The former Cardiff, Wasps and Ospreys lock will look after the contact area for Dwayne Peel's side - joining existing assistant coaches Jared Payne, Albert van den Berg and Emyr Phillips.
The 38-year-old - who captained Wales in 2013 on their summer tour of Japan - was one of 10 players hand-picked by the Welsh Rugby Union in 2019 to take part in a player to coach scheme.
'I am honoured to take up the coaching role at the Scarlets," said Davies. "It is a fantastic opportunity for myself and one which I am going to take with both hands.
'For me, it's the chance to add some value in my areas and help the team reach the next level. I also get to work with some awesome coaches which will be invaluable in my career.
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'It's great as a young Welsh coach to have a club like the Scarlets show faith in you and offer you the chance to grow - I'm looking forward to helping the Scarlets become the team we want them to be. I'm excited to get going, working with the boys and ripping into pre-season.
'I'd also like to thank the Ospreys Academy, the coaches and my good friends Andrew Bishop, Paul James and James Hook for their help in getting me to this position as well as everyone at Bridgend Ravens, a proper Welsh club where I had two fantastic years. I have no doubt they are going to be a massive force in semi-professional rugby.' Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
On the addition of Davies, Peel added: 'Brad is a young, ambitious coach who will bring a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm to the group as well as his experience at the top end of the game from his playing days.
'We were pleased with the growth shown by the squad this season, securing Champions Cup rugby and reaching the URC play-offs and as a coaching team we are determined to build on that over the summer heading into the new campaign.
'After coaching with the Ospreys Academy, age-grade teams and with Bridgend in the SRC, Brad is keen to take the next step into the professional game and we look forward to welcoming him to the group when we return to Parc y Scarlets next month.'
The Scarlets have also confirmed their academy coaching set-up for next season.
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Scott Sneddon, who is currently coaching with Wales U20s, will continue as head coach, withy Phil John, Tom Phillips and Rhodri Jones assisting him.
Former Wales contact area coach Gareth Williams, who also previously coached the Scarlets defence, has left his position as academy pathway manager.
Emyr Phillips will take on the role, while also coaching with the senior squad as a scrum coach.
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