Scarlets 'ready To Come Out Fighting' For Future

Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies says talk about the organisation's long-term future has galvanised his squad before the new season starts this weekend.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has outlined how it plans to cut from four men's professional teams to three by 2028, with Ospreys and Scarlets set to fight to be the side in west Wales.

The governing body says the decision will be made in time for the 2028-29 season, with one side in the capital, one in the east and one in the west.

WRU-owned Cardiff and Dragons, an independently backed business, are set to be given licences in the capital and east respectively.

That leaves Swansea-based Ospreys and Llanelli-based Scarlets to compete for the spot in the west, with a merger currently being ruled out.

"The situation has energised us," said Davies.

"It's typical Welsh, isn't it? You put us in the corner and we come out fighting."

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History and facilities favour Scarlets - Davies

The WRU has stated the process to decide the framework for the final decision will begin in December and finish before the end of the 2026-27 season.

So eyes will be on the results and attendances of Ospreys and Scarlets in this campaign, with the latter opening their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign at home against Cardiff on Saturday night (19:45 BST).

"Performing on the field is the only way we're going to get our fans here," said Davies.

"We can't expect them to turn up unless we're performing, so we appreciate that, but we'd love them to all turn up on Saturday.

"It's a huge game which sets the stall out for the rest of the season."

Davies also says he realises the importance of local Welsh derbies which would be eroded if a team was culled.

"The rivalry is the best bit, isn't it?" said Davies.

"When you play against the Ospreys, Cardiff and Dragons, that's fantastic and long may that continue because that means so much to people.

"We don't get great crowds at the URC because of the logistics of the league, but in those events we do get good crowds.

"There's a need for that. People want to come and see those local derbies that we still have."

Davies says any final decision on the make-up of Welsh professional rugby should not be based on the 2026-27 campaign.

"You just can't look at a moment in time in Welsh rugby," said Davies.

"People will judge now because of the situation, so we realise there's a role and responsibility there as well for us to perform.

"We're not oblivious to that, but let's not forget this is more than just a moment in time."

Davies pointed to areas of strength that he believes benefit the Scarlets.

"There's a history and a legacy from this place," said Davies.

"We've also got this Parc y Scarlets facility, which nobody else has got, and we've got probably one of the strongest boards in Welsh rugby.

"So there's a lot of stuff that historically supports the Scarlets."

Welsh rugby 'eroded over decades'

Davies also pointed to the development of players in west Wales.

"You've got to look at where the players historically come from," he said.

"Ourselves and the Ospreys have probably been the two most successful in developing rugby players into becoming Welsh internationals. You can't ignore that.

"There's a reason for that. These are strong communities with strong rugby heritage, strong colleges and strong schools that play rugby and develop those players.

"There are hotbeds within Welsh rugby. As the game is shrinking all the time, those hotbeds are key and vital."

Davies says the Welsh game, particularly the pathway, has been damaged in recent years

"Over the decades, we've eroded a lot of what was good about our game. I'm struggling to see what's left," said Davies.

"Our pathway doesn't identify talent now until 16, and it's difficult for a young rugby player or the parents of young rugby player to see a pathway for a player right now.

"I look at other areas of the union, and the liability of what they're doing, what they're trying to do and the lack of anything being driven at this moment in time."

Davies enjoying Scarlets return

Davies returned as interim director of rugby halfway through last season above head coach Dwayne Peel, with Scarlets eventually finishing 14th in the URC out of 16.

He was installed in a permanent role during the summer.

"I'm old enough now to have learned the fact that you never say never," said Davies.

"I was sort of planning my semi-retirement, but once the opportunity came, I had absolutely no hesitation.

"I know I've come back in a far stronger position in my experience and knowledge and the work I've done in other organisations."

Davies, 61, says he has learned new things since returning to Scarlets.

"One of the things for me personally is just culturally, the group, the generation, how you engage with this group is different to how it's been previously," said Davies.

"That's been quite a learning curve.

"It's a good thing. It brings diversity. We learn from each other and I've learned a lot of lessons.

"Some things I would have said previously probably aren't appropriate any more to say. I'm learning the triggers.

"It's been interesting and I've learned a lot myself over the last six months."

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