In a move that will shock a total of about 3 people Simon Easterby has been named the new forwards coach for the side formerly known as the Llanelli Scarlets.
Why will it shock so few people? Well the Scarlets have long been accused of preferring an ‘old boys network’ for their staff to selecting on anything like actual results or ability.
Else why have they got Nigel Davies back as head coach – a man whose results speak for him, and not in a good way.
Simon Easterby
But that is harsh on Simon Easterby. The guy has been a quality captain for the Scarlets (until passing it to Mark Jones for the upcoming season) – a shining light in a period that the team itself has far from set the world alight. He is intelligent, articulate and a well liked player. I certainly hope he will be a success in his new role.
And it will be one hell of a challenge. The Scarlets have a number of issues within the team – and the two stand out issues are the forwards (especially the scrum) and the defence. There are plus points there, David Lyons has been an inspired signing, but on the whole work is needed on both the breakdown area and the scrum.
The signing of Rhys Thomas should, to a degree, help the breakdown area – whilst his scrummaging leaves a lot to be desired his work in the loose is top notch. Likewise Richie Pugh finally getting another regional contract, he is lightning and a breakdown specialist. But there needs to be a cohesion of the variety that the Scarlets have lacked, hopefully Simon Easterby is the man to sort that out.
What he can do for the scrum is another matter. Rhys Thomas is not a signing likely to sure them up there and the loss of Meeuws will hit them hard in my opinion. Whilst the 2nd rows are full of potential only aging star Vernon Cooper has any real experience, and he has, by all accounts, a dodgy back that will see him struggle to make a large number of games for the West Wales rugby region.
Simon Easterby may be another in a long list of old boys that get signed as coach (player-coach in his case) by the Scarlets, but he has the respect and admiration of vast swathes of Welsh rugby. I for one hope he can do a top class job.
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