New Scarlets coach reveals why he had to go west
NEW Scarlets defence coach Gareth Williams has revealed how he was convinced to leave his Wales role and join Dwayne Peel’s coaching ticket in Llanelli.
Williams had been working as part of Wayne Pivac’s coaching staff with the men’s national team, focusing on the breakdown area, but has now linked up with Peel at the Scarlets.
Fixing the defence was a priority for the former Wales scrum-half after a maiden season as head coach was let down by an inability to consistently stop teams scoring.
Williams is hugely excited at the prospect of taking charge of the Scarlets’ defence after a number of different coaching roles, and the prospect of working with former schoolmate Peel was just one of the reasons he has opted for the change.
“I weighed a lot up after Dwayne’s approach to the union for my services,” he told the Scarlets website.
“Dwayne’s enthusiasm was infectious, but the quality of coaching conversations around session planning, tactical and technical approaches, and team and leadership development was hugely stimulating.
“Factor in the respect I have for Dwayne in what he’s achieved in his career, and growing up together, and it was an opportunity I needed to take. [The season] can’t come quick enough. I love coaching and competing.
“We have an exciting pre-season programme in place, but I can’t wait to get into the thick of the action.”
Meanwhile, Dragons flanker Ollie Griffiths is hoping to pick up where he left off when the season kick off next month.
The one-cap Wales international has struggled in the past to put a run of games together due to bad luck with injuries. However, the end of last season saw him get regular minutes and put together some impressive form. “I finished in decent form so I’m looking forward to picking that up and getting down Rodney Parade,” he told the Dragons website.
The Dragons, who last year failed to record a single home victory, face a tough start to the season, with Edinburgh, Munster and the Sharks first up on the fixture list.