Scarlets secure 21 contract extensions

[TRF_Cymro]

Wales internationals George North, Rhys Priestland, Tavis Knoyle, Rob McCusker and Josh Turnbull have all signed contract extentions at the Scarlets.

The quintet are five of 21 Welsh qualified players that the Llanelli region have secured on new deals for at least another two seasons.

English-born number eight Ben Morgan, tipped as a future Wales international, has also agreed an extension.

Coach Nigel Davies says it shows their commitment to back home-grown talent.

• Aaron Shingler
• Ben Morgan
• Damian Welch
• Dan Newton
• Emyr Phillips
• Morgan Stoddart
• Peter Edwards
• Phil John
• Dale Ford (development contract)
• Gareth Maule
• Johnathan Edwards
• Kirby Myhill (development contract)
• Scott Williams
• Rob McCusker
• Tavis Knoyle
• Aled Davies
• George North
• Jordan Williams (development contract)
• Josh Turnbull
• Rhodri Jones (development contract)
• Rhys Priestland

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/12897410.stm
http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/3678.php​

 

[Logorrhea]

Great news for the rest of the league.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

More importantly raises the question has Ben Morgan decided that he is going to play for Wales? My feeling is that if he was going to chose England he would be leaving come end of the season and move into an Aviva Prem side.

Good to see the Welsh internationals are sticking there and that the likes of Rhodri Jones have been awarded a contract. Scarlets just need one or two quality overseas imports in the right areas and the Turks in the West might start seeing some glory days again.

 

[dullonien]

More importantly raises the question has Ben Morgan decided that he is going to play for Wales? My feeling is that if he was going to chose England he would be leaving come end of the season and move into an Aviva Prem side.

Yeh, looking more and more likely that he'll be playing for Wales after the WC. Awesome if it happens. Is it silly to be more excited about seeing how the Welsh team develops post WC than the WC itself?

 

[Draggs]

Yeh, looking more and more likely that he'll be playing for Wales after the WC. Awesome if it happens. Is it silly to be more excited about seeing how the Welsh team develops post WC than the WC itself?

Was it silly in '87, '91, '95, '99, '03 and '07.
Grand Slam next year

I hope this means we get Morgan.

 

[dullonien]

Was it silly in '87, '91, '95, '99, '03 and '07.

Nah, this is something different entirely, the amount of emerging talent at the moment is much more than I can ever remember. Just look at the backrow, crazy!

 

[Draggs]

Nah, this is something different entirely, the amount of emerging talent at the moment is much more than I can ever remember. Just look at the backrow, crazy!

Again, heard that before.

Blindside: Lydiate, Turnbull (Looks a 6, not 7), Pretorius (Good Welshman)
Openside: Warburton, Tipuric, McCusker
8: Morgan, Faletau (Looks to be more of an openside)

Also we have Lewis Evans (decent 6/8), Navidi (Give him a season), Johnathan Edwards and Tom Smith as other prospects.

Now we just need a scrumhalf with Phillip's strength and Peel's passing. (Or Gareth, he could still do it)

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

In response to the Phillips strength/Peel's pass, give Tavis Knoyle a shot at No. 9 for Wales. Nice to see him staying with the Scarlets, despite being an Ospreys product (They seem to claim him all too often). Mind you, I couldn't see Faletau as a 7. Moment he bulks up a bit more (Remember, he's just turned 20 a few weeks ago) he should be an awesome No 8.

Something of note: No contract awarded to Simon Gardiner? Does this mean he's off, as he's not currently signed for them?

Priestland, Stoddart and McCusker have all reportedly been offered contracts by English teams, so it's nice to see them staying too.

 

[Draggs]

In response to the Phillips strength/Peel's pass, give Tavis Knoyle a shot at No. 9 for Wales. Nice to see him staying with the Scarlets, despite being an Ospreys product (They seem to claim him all too often). Mind you, I couldn't see Faletau as a 7. Moment he bulks up a bit more (Remember, he's just turned 20 a few weeks ago) he should be an awesome No 8.

Something of note: No contract awarded to Simon Gardiner? Does this mean he's off, as he's not currently signed for them?

Priestland, Stoddart and McCusker have all reportedly been offered contracts by English teams, so it's nice to see them staying too.

If Faletau can bulk up and grow perhaps an inch or two, then he should fit at 8. He must be nearly 7 feet with his 'fro though.

 

[dullonien]

If Faletau can bulk up and grow perhaps an inch or two, then he should fit at 8. He must be nearly 7 feet with his 'fro though.

I've got no problem with his size. He seems perfectly capable of running through players already. One of his big strengths is his speed, and I don't want to see that sacrificed for bulk, especially considering that he's allready hugely powerful for a 20y/o. I view him as an out and out 8, especially considering the strength in depth that's emerging on the flanks.

I'd say McCusker is a blindide aswell, not an openside. His breakdown skills are probably the weakest point of his game, so his game suits a running blindside role in the mould of Croft. There certainly appears to be an almighty battle brewing at blindise in the near future, one of Lydiate, Pretorius (if he chooses Wales), Turnbull and McCusker. Knowing Gatland though, we'll still be seeing Jon Thomas involved <_<

 

[Draggs]

I've got no problem with his size. He seems perfectly capable of running through players already. One of his big strengths is his speed, and I don't want to see that sacrificed for bulk, especially considering that he's allready hugely powerful for a 20y/o. I view him as an out and out 8, especially considering the strength in depth that's emerging on the flanks.

I'd say McCusker is a blindide aswell, not an openside. His breakdown skills are probably the weakest point of his game, so his game suits a running blindside role in the mould of Croft. There certainly appears to be an almighty battle brewing at blindise in the near future, one of Lydiate, Pretorius (if he chooses Wales), Turnbull and McCusker. Knowing Gatland though, we'll still be seeing Jon Thomas involved <_<

Andries has already said he'd like to represent Wales if asked, so I guess we have that. Faletau might be too short to operate at the tail, and Lydiate is already jumping. I guess Bradley could be shifted to the tail and Faletau lifts, if we need it.
We've gotten rid of Bennett, JT could be next, don't give up hope.

 

[dullonien]

Pretorius has been awesome for the Blues recently, he's been doing everything for them, carrying, defending and covering back from kicks through etc. He seems to have the 6 shirt nailed down now with Molitika finally giving in to age, so I think we'll see him improve further in the coming months / years. He should be involved with Wales as soon as he's eligible, because it seems he's destined for big things.

Time will tell regarding Faletau's lineout abilities, but height isn't always everything. Remember that Warburton is a good lineout option aswell, and could easily act as a tail jumper with Faletau lifting.

 

[Draggs]

Pretorius has been awesome for the Blues recently, he's been doing everything for them, carrying, defending and covering back from kicks through etc. He seems to have the 6 shirt nailed down now with Molitika finally giving in to age, so I think we'll see him improve further in the coming months / years. He should be involved with Wales as soon as he's eligible, because it seems he's destined for big things.

Time will tell regarding Faletau's lineout abilities, but height isn't always everything. Remember that Warburton is a good lineout option aswell, and could easily act as a tail jumper with Faletau lifting.

If all else fails we still have Andy Powell.

Loveable fellow.