The Scarlets can confirm the players and staff who will be leaving the club at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Supporters will have the opportunity to say farewell to the players following Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster at Parc y Scarlets.

Negotiations continue with other members of the squad and we will confirm all players who have been retained for the 2024-25 season in the coming weeks.

Diolch …

Ken Owens

The Wales and British & Irish Lions hooker announced his retirement from rugby in April, bringing the curtain down on an incredible career. Ken made 274 appearances for the Scarlets and captained the club for eight seasons, including the title-winning campaign of 2016-17. Will be remembered as one of the greatest players to pull on the Scarlets jersey.

Jonathan Davies

Another modern-day great, ‘Foxy’ has played 209 games for the Scarlets across two spells in Llanelli. A former captain, he has been another who has represented the club at the highest level for Wales and the Lions (twice). A key component in the Scarlets’ PRO12 title triumph, Jonathan has scored 55 tries for the club.

Scott Williams

The Wales international centre has made 161 appearances for the Scarlets and like Ken and Jonathan, shone in the side that lifted the PRO12 title in stunning style in Dublin.

Scott has 26 Scarlets tries to his name, including a memorable score in the Champions Cup quarter-final victory over La Rochelle – one of the club’s biggest days.

Dan Jones

‘Dinky’ has played 153 matches over a decade at the Scarlets, amassing 682 points. A Carmarthen product, he scored a memorable try against Toulon during the Champions Cup run in 2018 and has delivered a string of match-winning moments with the boot. Played a big part in the title-winning season of 2016-17.

Samson Lee

In December, at the age of 31, Samson announced his retirement from rugby because of injury. A home-grown player from Llanelli who came through the Academy, the powerful tight-head prop played 164 matches for the Scarlets across 12 seasons.

Wyn Jones

A product of Llandovery RFC, Wyn has made 136 appearances for the Scarlets since his debut in 2014. Another integral cog in the charge to silverware in 2017, his reward was the number one jersey for Wales and the Lions.

Johnny McNicholl

J-Mac said his farewells to the Scarlets in March to link up with his former side the Crusaders in New Zealand. A potent try-scorer, he crossed the whitewash 57 times in 130 games, including one on his debut against Leinster.

Kieran Hardy

Kieran recently became the latest member of the 100-cap club when he led the side out against Glasgow. Made his debut in 2014 after coming through the Academy. The Wales international scrum-half has scored 25 tries in Scarlets colours. Will be joining the Ospreys in the summer.

Ryan Conbeer

The Saundersfoot winger burst onto the scene in 2016 and has scored 33 tries in 78 Scarlets appearances.

Steff Thomas

An Academy product from Newcastle Emlyn, Steff has 58 Scarlets appearances to his name since his debut in 2017. Is joining the Ospreys for next season.

Iwan Shenton

The back-rower has made 12 appearances since signing from Cardiff Met in 2022. Is currently on loan with English Championship side Ampthill.

Eduan Swart

The hooker, signed from South African side the Lions, has played five matches since arriving in December, scoring the late match-winning try against Benetton.

Joe Jones

The experienced tight-head prop joined in November from Sale Sharks. Has made eight appearances.

Sara Davies (team manager)

Sara was appointed team manager at the Scarlets in 2018 and has played a key role as part of the back-room staff at Parc y Scarlets.

Rhys Jones (strength & conditioning coach)

Rhys has been part of the strength and conditioning team at the Scarlets for 16 years, going back to the final days at Stradey Park.

Academy

We would also like to wish Lewis Morgan (5 senior appearances),  Luca Giannini (4 senior appearances), Callum Williams and Iestyn Gwilliam from our Senior Academy the best for the future as they leave the club.

Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “It is always a difficult and emotional time as we say farewell to players and staff including some great Scarlets who will be remembered as club legends.

“We would like to thank each player and each member of staff for the work, pride and commitment they have shown to the Scarlets during their time here. They can all be proud of the way they have represented this club and we wish them all well for whatever comes next.”

Healthier white bread could soon appear on the shelves of bakers and grocers across the UK thanks to research at Aberystwyth University.

Working with leading organic millers Shipton Mill, the team at Aberystwyth will be studying the milling and blending process for white flour.

The work, which could see UK sourced peas, beans and oats added to wheat flour to boost its nutritional value, is funded by Innovate UK’s ‘Better Food For All’ initiative.

The project is one of 47 projects to receive a share of £17.4 million from Innovate UK to improve food quality, create functional foods, boost nutrition, develop new proteins, and extend the shelf life of healthy and fresh foods.

Chris Holister from Shipton Mill, said:

“This project builds on our belief that variety and nature-friendliness is the way to measure the success of a crop, not speed and growth. In milling, our craft is to provide bakers with excellent and reliable results that work with nature and what the climate and seasonality can offer. We hope that this work can help make for a healthier and happier diet for very many people.

“With projects like this, we in the UK food industry have a chance to make a positive impact: creating innovative products and solutions that could both improve people’s health and create jobs in the sector.”

With 65% of all oats in the UK grown from varieties developed at Aberystwyth, the University is a recognised as a leading centre for the development of new oat, bean and pea varieties.

The research project will make use of the facilities at the University’s innovation campus, AberInnovation. 

Dr Catherine Howarth, from IBERS at Aberystwyth University said:

“This is a very exciting opportunity to improve people’s diets, especially those who favour the look and sensory attributes of white bread. The project underlines how our leading plant research here in Wales can make a difference to people’s lives. We hope this will be another chance to put our work, especially on beans, peas and oats, to very good use.”

Dr Amanda Lloyd from the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University added:

“Poor diet plays a major role in ill-health, chronic diseases and a significant portion of cancer cases. Obesity rates are very high in the UK, with projected costs for the NHS at £9.7 billion by 2050 and society at nearly £50 billion annually. Using our expertise at the University, we hope that this project can play a role in tackling this growing issue of diet-related poor health and well-being.

“The project will also bring significant social and economic benefits to the UK and will further establish the UK as a leader in the flour and flour-based foods markets.”

Dr Stella Peace, Executive Director for the Healthy Living and Agriculture Domain at Innovate UK, said:

“These projects showcase the extensive range and quality of innovation within the agri-food sector of the UK. With global challenges like food security, sustainability, and nutrition, creative solutions are needed to make a tangible impact.

“At Innovate UK, we are committed to driving transformational change in food production and manufacture to shape the future economy and society as a whole.”

Photo: Dr Catherine Howarth, IBERS, Aberystwyth University

About Innovate UK
Innovate UK is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations.

It provides targeted sectors with expertise, facilities and funding to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth. Join its network and communities of innovators to realise the potential of your ideas and accelerate business growth.

Aberystwyth University www.aber.ac.uk
Established in 1872, Aberystwyth University is a leading teaching and research institution. Named Welsh University of the Year for 2024 by The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide, it has been rated the top University in Wales for overall student satisfaction for the past eight years, based on the National Student Survey. 98% of the University’s research is of an international standard or higher with over 75% being ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. The University is a community of 8,000 students and 2,000 staff committed to delivering inspirational education and research in a supportive, creative and exceptional environment. Registered charity No 1145141.

One of the Scarlets’ greats, Jonathan Davies, will say farewell to the club at the end of the season.

After 16 seasons spanning two spells at the club, the man known as ‘Foxy’ will be moving on at the end of the campaign.

From Bancyfelin in Carmarthenshire, Jonathan has made 209 appearances in a Scarlets jersey having made his debut for the club against Northampton Saints as an 18-year-old back in 2006.

A former club captain, he was an integral member of the side that lifted the Guinness PRO12 title in 2016-17, the Scarlets clinching the trophy in style thanks to a mesmeric brand of attacking rugby.

Jonathan has gone on to become one of the most decorated centres in world rugby, representing the British & Irish Lions in the Test series against Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017) – where he was player of the series. He has also played 96 Tests for Wales, featuring in two Grand Slam-winning sides, a further two championship wins, and two Rugby World Cups in New Zealand (2011) and Japan (2019). He has also captained the national side on four occasions.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s final home match against Ulster, Jonathan said: “I am going to miss this place and this group. Day to day, being around a great bunch of boys and saying you are working you feel very privileged. “It has been incredible to play for a team I supported when I was a young boy. I have enjoyed every minute and have some wonderful memories, but everything has to come to an end.

“I remember my first day coming into the Academy at Stradey, I remember walking into the changing room for training with the likes, Vernon Cooper, Matthew Rees, Iestyn Thomas, Alix Popham – who were the ‘guvnors’ of the changing room – and putting my bag on the bench and coming in afterwards and it was on the floor; I tried another spot the next day and the same happened! it was a great learning; myself, Ken and my generation were probably the last ones to have experience of that old school environment.”

Recalling the highlights of his Scarlets career, lifting the PRO12 trophy in Dublin in 2017 figures at the top of the list, as does playing alongside his younger brother James ‘Cubby’.

He added: “There was a span of five or six games in which I never enjoyed rugby as much as I did during the end of that season when we won the PRO12. I have always said, if we were still in European competition at that point we would have won it.

“The rugby we played was so much fun and so natural, we were operating at a level that we didn’t really need to talk about what was expected of us. It felt as if we were operating at our highest level possible and the talent in that group was so high it showed in the games leading up to the final and then in the final.

“Playing alongside my brother was another special moment and winning a trophy as part of the same side is something I am very proud of.”

As for the future, Jonathan has a testimonial year beginning in June and is also hoping to continue his playing career.

“I would love to see if there is another opportunity to play elsewhere, whether that be abroad or not,” he adds.

“I still enjoy coming to train and playing. I am always told you are a long time retired – if you feel you can add to an environment or a team I feel I’d be stupid not to.

“The Scarlets have been a huge part of my life. When you get older there is an appreciation of the effort that people – coaches, team-mates, staff – have put into your career. The supporters here have been amazing from day one as well.”

Paying tribute to one of the Scarlets’ greats, head coach Dwayne Peel said: “I played in the same game as Foxy’s debut, there was a lot of talk of this kid from Bancyfelin coming through and when he turned up he was more developed than some of the senior boys! He was strong and fast and you could see straight away he was something special.

“He was always destined for big things, but he has also worked tirelessly on his game to become the best No. 13 in the world and is an example to any young player who aspires to make it as a professional.

“I am sure the next few weeks will be an emotional time for him, saying his farewells. He has been a big part of this club for a long time.”

Robert Lloyd with Jonathan Davies in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 – and a very young Foxy visiting Carmarthen Town AFC.

HOW DO THESE PEOPLE GET ON MY TELLY?

When Noel Coward attended West End opening nights, after the show he was invariably asked backstage where the actors, writers and director eagerly awaited his critique.

Early in his career, Noel may have sometimes been brutally honest when asked, “So, what did you think of the show?”

But, in later life, he cannily respond in one of two ways.

“What can I say?” or “You’ve done it again!”

Both open to wide interpretation!

I recently thought, “Phil. you’ve done it again!” when I made the mistake of watching a TV discussion in which a none-too-well-informed young lady stridently complained, “Pensioners, with their massive 8.5% pension increase, are ruining the lives and prospects of 20-somethings who can’t get on the housing ladder. Pensioners don’t need increased benefits because they haven’t got mortgages!”

Ladies and gents . . . there’s more!

Revealing a breathtaking ignorance of 20^th Century social history, she claimed, “Pensioners had it so much easier when they were in their 20s!”

A justifiably peeved pensioner taking part explained she had started work in 1965 and, to take on a mortgage when she got married, she had three part-time jobs – one of which paid £2 a week.

Oh yes. Things were SO much easier then!

The pensioner eloquently added that not all pensioners are mortgage-free and like everyone else they pay council tax, water rates, utility bills and pay for . . . What’s that ‘luxury’? Oh yes! Food!

The young lady’s crass reference to the State Pension being a ‘benefit’ was also given short shrift! Pensioners have paid income tax and National Insurance since they started work.

Having paid in for half a century, they quite rightly expect the DPW to pay out. That’s the deal.

The young lady preferred to ignore the fact that the recent pension increase has pushed many retired pensioners into the tax-paying bracket. What’s given with one hand is craftily taken away by another!

To become a doctor or solicitor you must study for years before you’re allowed to give your professional opinion.

Yet any idiot can appear on TV and be allowed to express theirs, however half-baked. What can I say?

————–

Get ready to party, because festivals are back and better than ever!

Festivals are not just about having a blast, they’re a much-needed escape from the daily grind.

It’s the time to let your hair down, forget your worries, and immerse yourself in a world of pure fun.

From mind-blowing music to mouth-watering food and jaw-dropping art, there’s something for everyone. No matter what you’re into, festivals have got you covered!

But hold on, there’s more to festivals than meets the eye.

These epic gatherings are not just good for our souls, they’re also a major boost for our local economies.

Think about it: small businesses get a chance to shine, communities thrive, and jobs are created. It’s a win-win situation!

Plus, festivals are a golden opportunity for talented artists and performers to show off their skills to a massive crowd. It’s like their time to shine under the spotlight!

So, let’s get out there and support our favourite festivals. Attend them, volunteer, and spread the word on social media like it’s your job!

Life is too short to miss out on the good times, and festivals are the ultimate celebration of life itself. Let’s make memories, make friends, and make the most of every moment.

Get ready to dance, laugh, and create unforgettable experiences. The festival season is here, and it’s time to party like there’s no tomorrow!

THE growing links between Llanelli and its twin town of Agen in France are behind a special concert next month.

Llanelli and District Twinning Association will be presenting an evening of music featuring popular ladies choir Côr Curiad and special guests from Agen.

The French visitors will be the The Harpists of Agen and Lot-et-Garonne, the region surrounding Llanelli’s twin town.

The harpists go under the name of Harpinbag and they come highly recommended by members of the twinning association who have witnessed them in concert in Agen.

The musical evening will be at Llanelli’s Diplomat Hotel on Thursday, July 18, doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Côr Curiad will be under the musical direction of Alex Esney and the compere for the evening will be Llanelli impresario Cerith Owens.

The evening will also feature accompanist Catrin Hughes and selected soloists from the Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) stable.

Tickets are £10 and are available from members of Côr Curiad, Loud Applause Rising Stars or from Paolo Piana on email at pianapaolo@hotmail.com or telephone on 07956 592806.

Meanwhile, the countdown is on to the Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir Young Musician of the Year competition.

This is a new competition for Llanelli and is being held to keep the name of Côr Meibion Llanelli alive. The choir finished active performing last year after struggling to recruit new members and officials.

A choir spokesman said: “We remain determined to keep the famous name of Côr Meibion Llanelli alive in west Wales – and what better way to do it than to organise a competition to encourage the musicians and singers of the future.

“Down the years, the choir has raised thousands for local charities. We want to continue to play an active part in the local community to keep the name of our historic choir alive.”

The Young Musician of the Year competition will take place at Ysgol y Strade, Llanelli, at 7pm on Friday, June 21.

The competition is open to all pupils from Llanelli secondary schools.

The winner will receive the Trevor Lewis Shield, presented in memory of one of the choir’s most stalwart members.

Trevor Lewis

There is a cash prize of £750 for the winner; £200 for second and £100 for third.

Adjudicators for the event will be Angharad Brinn, Cerith Owens and Meinir Jones Parry.

Pupils are being advised to register for the competition through their schools. If anyone needs further competition information, then they should contact Chris Davies at Ysgol y Strade, email christopher.davies@ysgolystrade.org

Tickets for the competition will be £5 and will be available through the ticketsource website – www.ticketsource.co.uk/cormeibionllanelli

Later in June, one of Llanelli’s brightest stars, Samuel Wyn-Morris will be topping the bill at a Broadway to Brecon concert at Theatr Brycheiniog.

Samuel’s track record includes roles in Les Miserables and Titanic The Musical.

He will be joined on stage for the June 29 concert in Brecon by The Westenders, local singers and performers who have been featured in West End roles.

They include Melanie Barker, Canotorion Pontsenni, Rachel Noble, Helen Jones and Poise Dance.

The concert will also feature members of Loud Applause Rising Stars.

At The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on June 7, G4 will be performing as part of their 20th Anniversary Tour.

The UK’s No.1 vocal harmony group and original X-Factor stars are celebrating a double decade in the limelight.

G4 have been wowing audiences with their incredible harmonies and stunning vocals ever since appearing on the first series of the X Factor in 2004.

Their unique blend of classical training alongside a pioneering approach to popular classics has seen them hailed as the ‘Kings of Popera’ and earned them a legion of loyal fans all over the world.

This is their most extensive tour to date, which will see them fondly look back upon their journey, whilst also propel them into the next chapter of their groundbreaking career.

The 72-date tour will be the first chance to hear the breathtaking new tracks from their hotly anticipated 20th anniversary studio album (due for release in Autumn 2024).

It will also feature the most popular G4 hits, such as their exhilarating rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, haunting version of ‘Creep’ as well as the heart-stopping ‘Nessun Dorma’.

As part of the group’s new chapter, they are delighted to welcome the exceptionally talented ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner – Jai McDowall into the fold.

In other news, members of Llanelli Youth Theatre are getting warmed up for what is going to be a busy 40^th anniversary year.

LYT will be staging a special 40^th anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Saturday, June 1.

Then, in September, LYT will be staging Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical Sweeney Todd.

More information about Theatrau Sir Gar shows can be found on their website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk

There’s a great opportunity to meet the team behind one of the most successful sports websites in Wales tomorrow (Tuesday, May 7).

The All Wales Sport team are celebrating more than two decades of service to grassroots sport in Wales.

Tuesday’s Spring Afternoon National Hunt race meeting at Ffos Las racecourse, near Llanelli, gives you the opportunity to meet and chat to the guys behind the website.

All Wales Sport spokesman and founder Ellis Davies said: “We know many representatives of clubs and sporting organisations up and down the country would love the chance to meet the website team face-to-face.

“We do much of our work chatting to clubs and sportsmen and sportswomen on email, social media and over the phone, so Tuesday represents a great chance to meet the team and discuss how we can help you promote your sports and your teams.

You will need to register for free entry to Ffos Las racecourse by visiting their website at – https://www.ffoslas-racecourse.co.uk

The All Wales Sport website is at https://www.allwalessport.co.uk

Mr Davies added: “It will be great to chat to many people who are in regular communication with us and we look forward to the chance to say thank you to our supporters and contributors for the help they have given us over the years in providing the service.

“All Wales Sport is open 365 days a year and the interaction we have with the rugby, football, and cricket clubs in Wales is fantastic.

“Clubs can contact us up until midnight every day of the week – if we get an e mail or message we always reply to every one.

“And it is not only about a results service – clubs seeking fixtures use our system to find match-ups for games.

“In addition, we are looking to reintroduce the All Wales Sport Awards

“The awards, for community sport in Wales, were introduced in 2013 to honour achievements on the field and to reward the unsung heroes, the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes for no monetary gain

“In 2013 and 2014, the trophies were presented to the winners in their own locations by director Laura Murton.

“In 2015, the winners were invited to the first awards evening at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli.

“From 2016 to 2019, the awards evenings were held at The Atlantic Hotel, Porthcawl.

“The start of the awards evenings in 2017 and 2019 were streamed live from Porthcawl on the S4C television programme Heno.

“The 2020 awards evening was cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. But we are looking to reintroduce the awards.”

Ellis Davies

Ian Davies

Andrew Lewis

Andrew Lewis and Ellis Davies

Some photos from the All Wales Sport team and their success in the community.

All Wales Sport – the story so far . . .

Directors – Andrew Lewis, Ian Davies and Ellis Davies

The sports service website – All Wales Sport – started life in January 2002 as a website – West Wales Sport – following continued requests to sports writers Ian Davies and Ellis Davies to provide a public data service for grass roots sports activities in the South West Wales area.

Apart from that reported weekly in local newspapers, there was no platform to feature even the most basic sports information (i.e. fixtures, results and tables). So, the Davies duo under the banner of the Red Dragon Press Agency plunged into the growing world of internet usage and covered cricket, football and rugby information.

By August 2004, the website’s visitor numbers proved that the public had an appetite for the information and at the end of the football and rugby seasons in May 2005 the visitor numbers confirmed that the website had established itself as a firm favourite with sports fans.

Further demand for the service saw it extended to cover the whole of Wales in January 2011 when Andrew Lewis of Autograffeg Ltd and Chris Smart (now sadly deceased.) from the Mid Glamorgan Press Agency joined the team. The result is today’s All Wales Sport website with visitor numbers that have increased significantly ever since.

It provides a rapid results service for local leagues across Wales and for professional sport further afield, predominantly Rugby Union, Football and Cricket.

Carmarthen Athletic RFC and Llanelli Warriors RFC wear on their match jerseys the All Wales Sport logo, in recognition of the service the website provides for community rugby in Wales.

The core objectives of the website continue to be to support sport at grass roots level which is why local leagues, particularly those of cricket, rugby and football results feature prominently on the website. This has led to an average visitor number of 20K+ on a Saturday evening when players and supporters alike check the results.

To secure its future, All Wales Sport was incorporated as a Ltd Company on 1 August 2012 and has continued trading with increased business ever since. All Wales Sport also has an active Twitter account which generates further business and interest in the website.

The All Wales Sport website is sponsored by Castell Howell Foods.

The team at All Wales Sport would also like to express their sincere thanks to all advertisers who support the site.