Scotland international Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is looking forward to working with current Scarlets No1 scrum-half Gareth Davies in the coming Guinness Pro14 and European campaigns.
Hidalgo-Clyne gave his first press conference for the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets today.
The former Edinburgh player was relaxed as he fielded a variety of questions, ranging from competition for the Scarlets No9 jersey to his future international career with Scotland.
Hidalgo-Clyne, 25, also had words of praise for former Scarlets favourite John Barclay.
Here are some brief highlights from the press conference –
How do you like Llanelli?
“It’s been great so far. I had about three weeks here before season started. I’ve been checking it all out and it’s great. Feels like I’ve been here a few months already.”
Why move from Edinburgh to the Scarlets?
“I think because of the way they (the Scarlets) play.
“They are a very ambitious group of players. The results they have had the last two seasons have been outstanding. I’m looking forward to being part of the culture.
“Things fell through at Edinburgh and I thought I would come down.
“John Barclay has been outstanding for the Scarlets and he spoke very highly of the club, the players and the whole set up on and off the field.
“I think it’s a good move for me and my family as well.”
International ambitions with Scotland . . .
“We have been playing heads up rugby and Scotland like to get the ball as fast as they can. I think the two will go hand in hand. I spoke to Gregor (Scotland coach Townsend) about it pre-tour and it’s not a problem for them (Scotland).
“I think sometimes players have to get out of Scotland to improve and better themselves.”
The competition with Gareth Davies for the No9 jersey . . .
“I think Gareth is a brilliant player. He has played some great rugby and the way he sees space is brilliant. I will learn a lot from him. I am trying to learn as much as possible. I am not the finished article.
“There’s a lot of experience in this squad and I will take as much as I can from Stephen Jones (attack coach), Gareth and the other players.
Respect for coach Stephen Jones . . .
“He’s fantastic He brings a lot to the training sessions.
“There’s a lot of positive feedback, constructive feedback. Stephen is high demand on everything. He wants everything to be perfect. He will help with my skill sets and it will help my game.”
Video from today’s press conference (full version now replaces earlier edited version)
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
Scarlets player information:
Primarily a scrum-half, Sam possesses all the skills necessary for a great scrum half. With an accurate pass, sniping runs and an accurate boot, he will provide an intense level of competition to Gareth Davies for the starting spot.
His ability has been well documented in an Edinburgh Rugby side who have once again become a major force in the GUINNESS PRO14.
Having represented Scotland and both Under 20s and Senior level, he brings a level of experience with him that belies his age, which can only be a positive influence for younger scrum-halfs at the club.
Samuel Hidalgo-Clyne (born 4 August 1993) joined the Scarlets following the conclusion of the 2017/18 season.
His primary position is as a scrum-half, but he can also operate as a fly-half, winger and full-back.
Born in Jayena, Granada, Spain, he moved to Edinburgh at the age of three.
Hidalgo-Clyne specialised in international sevens for the 2011–12 season and joined Edinburgh’s elite development roster in the summer of 2012.
He was awarded a place on the 2013 Macphail Scholarship to New Zealand.
Hidalgo-Clyne made his full Scotland debut on Saturday 7 February 2015, coming off the replacements’ bench in a 15–8 defeat to France in the 2015 Six Nations Championship, and did so again in each of the remaining four matches.
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