Davies joy at Llanelli return
by Mark Doyle, 15 May 2008
Nigel Davies has expressed his joy and excitement at being made Llanelli Scarlets regional head coach.
The former Wales centre was confirmed in the newly-created position on Wednesday and is looking forward to his return to the club he previously played for and coached with such distinction.
"This is a really exciting opportunity for me and on a personal note a very proud moment to be appointed as head coach of one of the most famous teams in world rugby,” Davies stated.
"I have spoken to Phil Davies [his predecessor] about what is happening and I have sympathised as a friend. We both clearly understand the huge demands on coaches in the professional game.
"I am coming back to a rugby region I feel very strongly about and armed with a great deal of experience and confidence from senior roles at national level, I look forward to the challenges ahead.
”This is a key time for the Scarlets as they move to a new stadium and performance on the field will be in the spotlight as never before.
”I am very eager to get back into an elite coaching role and look forward to working with a talented team of top-class players; with the added prospect of some exciting new faces in the Scarlets line-up for next season.
"My focus now will be on the huge opportunities ahead and putting the Scarlets back on top with a strengthened playing squad," the 43-year-old added.
Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher is in no doubt that Davies is the right man for the role.
"We are really pleased that Nigel has agreed to join us as our new Regional Head Coach responsible for performance coaching. It is great news that he will be starting with us as early as next month so that he has good time to prepare his squad for the 2008/2009 season,” he revealed.
"Nigel knows this region like no other and that has been a key factor in our decision. He is a passionate Scarlet and has the motivation, intelligence tactical ability and experience to deliver what we need in a new era in our new stadium.
"Nigel brings with him valuable experience of high profile coaching and development roles at national level with the WRU.
"The supporters of the Llanelli Scarlets rightly expect success on the field and with this comes a weight of expectation. I know Nigel will take on this challenge with relish. He fully understands what is expected here.”