2007–08 Llanelli Scarlets season

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Llanelli Scarlets
2007–08 season
Chairman Stuart Gallacher
Head coach Phil Davies (until 30 April 2008)
Paul Moriarty (caretaker, since 30 April 2008)
Celtic League 6th
EDF Energy Cup Group stage
Heineken Cup Group stage
Top try scorerLeague: Regan King (7)
All: Regan King (9)
Top points scorerLeague: Rhys Priestland (107)
All: Stephen Jones (128)
Highest home attendance10,739 vs Ospreys (27 December 2007)
Lowest home attendance5,923 vs Newport Gwent Dragons (1 September 2007)

The 2007–08 season was the fifth in the history of the Llanelli Scarlets regional side. The season saw the Scarlets compete in three competitions: the Celtic League, the EDF Energy Cup and the Heineken Cup. It was also the last full season for the Scarlets in their historic home, Stradey Park. A new ground, Parc y Scarlets, was under construction during that season, and is scheduled to open in November 2008, early in the 2008–09 season.

Contents

On the whole, the season was regarded as a disappointment by pundits and fans alike, as the team failed to qualify from the group stage in either the EDF Energy Cup or the Heineken Cup, even failing to pick up any points from any of their six Heineken Cup matches. The team's league form started off much better, remaining around second place for much of the first half of the season. However, as teams began to get players back from World Cup duty, the Scarlets' league form began to suffer, winning just two games in 2008, resulting in a sixth-place finish in the Celtic League. These failures were largely blamed on the team's failure to strengthen the squad sufficiently the previous summer and resulted in coach Phil Davies departing the club.

Welsh internationals Dwayne Peel, Alix Popham and Matthew Watkins also agreed deals to move away from Stradey Park at the end of the season, while hooker Mahonri Schwalger was signed on a short-term contract mid-season to cover for the injured Ken Owens. Other big-name signings in summer 2007 included Welsh internationals Ben Broster and Nathan Brew, as well as Scottish prop Bruce Douglas and English front-five forwards Adam Eustace and James Hayter.

Pre-season and friendlies

The Scarlets prepared for the 2007–08 campaign with two pre-season friendly matches in August. The first friendly was away to the Exeter Chiefs on 18 August 2007, and gave the Scarlets an opportunity to give debuts to their three new front row players, James Hayter, Bruce Douglas and Ben Broster. Exeter had a pair of ex-Scarlets in their team, in the form of Clive Stuart-Smith and Craig Dunlea, but their knowledge of the Scarlets was not enough to prevent a 19–14 win for the Llanelli side.

The next friendly was against Bath at Stradey Park on 25 August 2007. The Scarlets took a 14–7 lead before half-time, and went 17–7 up within the first five minutes of the second half. However, there were to be no further scores for the home side, as Bath scored two more tries to win the game 21–17.

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendance
18 August 2007 Exeter Chiefs A 19–14 Tries: Daniel, Bater, John
Con: Priestland, C. Thomas
25 August 2007 Bath H 17–21 Tries: Daniel 2' c, King 32' c
Con: C. Thomas (2)
Pen: C. Thomas 44'

Celtic League

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendanceLeague
position
1 September 2007 Newport Gwent Dragons H 23–30 Tries: Gar. Evans 44' c, I. Thomas 50' c
Con: C. Thomas (2)
Pen: C. Thomas (3) 20', 55', 65'
5,9234th
11 September 2007 Ospreys A 14–9 Try: Eustace 45' m
Pen: C. Thomas (3) 2', 64', 74'
10,1432nd
22 September 2007 Munster A 16–26 Try: Watkins 64' c
Con: Priestland
Pen: Priestland (3) 8', 35', 63'
3,4002nd
28 September 2007 Connacht H 34–11 Tries: King 36' c, Cooper 55' c, Stoddart 62' c, J. Davies 80+1' c
Con: Priestland (4)
Pen: Priestland (2) 27', 33'
6,5602nd
5 October 2007 Leinster A 52–23 Tries: Watkins 3' c, Bater 49' c, Edwards (2) 53' m, 59' c, King 56' c, Stoddart 80' c
Con: Priestland (5)
Pen: Priestland (4) 13', 22', 32', 51'
9,4392nd
12 October 2007 Ulster H 32–8 Tries: Watkins 22' c, Edwards 35' m, Manu 40' c, M. Jones 51' c
Con: Priestland (3)
Pen: Priestland (2) 18', 72'
6,2002nd
25 November 2007 Edinburgh A 17–27 Tries: King (3) 15' m, 38' c, 49' m
Con: Priestland
1,6382nd
27 December 2007 Ospreys H 17–12 Tries: G. Thomas 16' c, Brew 49' c
Con: S. Jones (2)
Pen: S. Jones 48'
10,7394th
1 January 2008 Newport Gwent Dragons A 13–15 Try: Penalty try 33' c
Con: Priestland
Pen: Priestland (2) 6', 58'
6,7023rd
4 January 2008 Connacht A 18–20 Pen: Priestland (6) 14', 22', 49', 67', 73', 80'1,6814th
15 February 2008 Glasgow Warriors H 30–7 Tries: Cattle 24' c, King 36' m, 76' m, Priestland 50' m, I. Thomas 61' m
Con: Priestland
Pen: Priestland 13'
6,1902nd
29 February 2008 Ulster A 8–20 Try: Priestland 64' m
Pen: Priestland 39'
8,8692nd
21 March 2008 Cardiff Blues H 35–17 Tries: I. Thomas 11' m, Gav. Evans 21' c, Peel 57' c, James 73' c
Con: S. Jones (3)
Pen: S. Jones (3) 38', 54', 71'
8,4452nd
29 March 2008 Leinster H 10–24 Try: D. Jones 52' c
Con: S. Jones
Pen: S. Jones 16'
7,4074th
11 April 2008 Cardiff Blues A 26–35 Tries: Peel 4' c, J. Davies 6' c, M. Jones 52' m, Stoddart 54' c
Con: S. Jones (3)
10,2164th
18 April 2008 Glasgow Warriors A 23–25 Tries: Stoddart (2) 42' c, 53' c
Con: S. Jones (2)
Pen: S. Jones (3) 11', 33', 61'
2,0125th
3 May 2008 Munster H 23–24 Tries: James 28' c, Watkins 31' c
Con: S. Jones (2)
Pen: S. Jones (3) 6', 23', 57'
7,0206th
10 May 2008 Edinburgh H 12–29 Tries: Schwalger 14' c, James 77' m
Con: Priestland
7,3386th
PosClubPldWDLFAPDBPPts
5 Glasgow Warriors 1810173403499446
6 Llanelli Scarlets 187011403362+411139
7 Ospreys 186111321255+661137

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Points for; A = Points against; PD = Points difference; BP = Bonus points; Pts = Points

EDF Energy Cup

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendanceGroup
position
26 October 2007 Bristol A 11–18 Try: Stoddart 80+1' m
Pen: Priestland 4', S. Jones 43'
7,1393rd
2 November 2007 Leeds Carnegie H 59–19 Tries: D. Evans (2) 3' c, 67' c, Bater 10' c, M. Jones 16' c, Popham 38' c
I. Thomas 51' c, MacLeod 59' c, Easterby 64' c
Con: S. Jones (8)
Pen: S. Jones 26'
7,6722nd
1 December 2007 Saracens H 36–32 Tries: MacLeod 35' c, S. Jones 43' c, J. Davies 51' m, Gar. Evans 55' m
Con: S. Jones (2)
Pen: S. Jones (4) 10', 16', 40', 62'
6,6252nd
TeamPldWDLFABPPts
Saracens 320112379412
Llanelli Scarlets 320110669311
Bristol 3111466906
Leeds Carnegie 30126011813

Heineken Cup

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendanceGroup
position
11 November 2007 ASM Clermont Auvergne A 21–48 Tries: James 18' c, Peel 52' c, King 54' c
Con: S. Jones (3)
13,0004th
17 November 2007 London Wasps H 17–33 Tries: Easterby 24' c, M. Jones 79' c
Con: S. Jones (2)
Pen: S. Jones 34'
9,5574th
8 December 2007 Munster H 16–29 Try: King 24' c
Con: Priestland
Pen: Priestland (3) 20', 51', 59'
10,4564th
16 December 2007 Munster A 13–22 Try: S. Jones 11' c
Con: S. Jones
Pen: S. Jones (2) 49', 63'
13,2004th
13 January 2008 London Wasps A 7–40 Try: Manu 33' c
Con: Priestland
8,1734th
19 January 2008 ASM Clermont Auvergne H 0–41 6,4914th
TeamPldWDLTFPFPAPDBPPts
IRFU flag.svg Munster (6)64021314895+53319
Flag of France.svg Clermont 640222189128+61319
Flag of England.svg London Wasps 640219152127+25218
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Llanelli Scarlets 600687421313900

Squad statistics

Pos.NameMagners
League
EDF Energy
Cup
Heineken
Cup
TotalDiscipline
ATCPDPtsATCPDPtsATCPDPtsATCPDPts Yellow card.svg Red card.svg
FB Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Garan Evans 7100051100053000001120001000
FB Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Morgan Stoddart 165000252100055000002360003010
WG Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Nathan Brew 1010005000000200000121000500
WG Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Darren Daniel 60000000000030000090000020
WG Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dan Evans 2000001200010000000320001000
WG Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dafydd James 93000152000002100001340002000
WG Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Jones 62000103100055100051440002020
CE Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonathan Davies 62000101100053000001030001500
CE Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Evans 1410005200000500000211000500
CE Flag of New Zealand.svg Regan King 1670003530000042000102390004500
CE Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Matthew Watkins 134000201000004000001840002000
FH Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Stephen Jones 6013110593110604331630261222920012800
FH Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Rhys Priestland 1321721010710010330230131721925012300
FH Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ceiron Thomas 90260220000004000001302602200
SH Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Cattle 1410005100000200000171000500
SH Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Liam Davies 900000000000300000120000000
SH Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dwayne Peel 62000103000004100051330001500
PR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ben Broster 50000000000020000070000010
PR Flag of Scotland.svg Bruce Douglas 900000200000300000140000000
PR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Phil John 1200000100000000000130000000
PR Flag of Fiji.svg Deacon Manu 12100053000006100052120001010
PR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Iestyn Thomas 153000152100056000002340002010
HK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Daniel George 10000000000010000020000000
HK Flag of England.svg James Hayter 800000200000500000150000000
HK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ken Owens 90000000000000000090000000
HK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Matthew Rees 700000200000300000120000010
HK Flag of Samoa.svg Mahonri Schwalger 71000500000010000081000500
LK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Vernon Cooper 1410005200000400000200000020
LK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dominic Day 30000000000010000040000000
LK Flag of England.svg Adam Eustace 1110005300000600000201000510
LK Flag of Scotland.svg Scott MacLeod 100000032000106000001920001000
LK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Lou Reed 1000000000000000000100000010
FL Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg James Bater 15100051100053000001920001020
FL IRFU flag.svg Simon Easterby 9000003100055100051720001010
FL Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Johnathan Edwards 5300015100000000000630001500
FL Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dafydd Jones 1610005200000400000221000500
FL Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Thomas 610005200000500000131000500
FL Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Josh Turnbull 00000000000000000000000000
N8 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Alix Popham 600000210005500000131000520
N8 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Nathan Thomas 1400000000000400000180000000

Transfers

In

DatePos.NameFrom
17 May 2007PR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ben Broster Saracens
1 June 2007WG Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Nathan Brew Newport Gwent Dragons
1 June 2007LK Flag of England.svg Adam Eustace Gloucester
19 June 2007PR Flag of Scotland.svg Bruce Douglas Border Reivers
20 July 2007HK Flag of England.svg James Hayter Harlequins
16 January 2008HK Flag of Samoa.svg Mahonri Schwalger Wellington Lions [1]

Out

DatePos.NameTo
1 June 2007SH Flag of England.svg Clive Stuart-Smith Exeter Chiefs
1 June 2007PR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg John Davies Retired
4 June 2007PR Flag of New Zealand.svg Craig Dunlea Exeter Chiefs
5 June 2007PR Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Hugh Gustafson Newport Gwent Dragons
14 June 2007FB Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Barry Davies Brive
21 June 2007LK Flag of Tonga.svg Inoke Afeaki Grenoble
22 June 2007LK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Adam Jones Newport Gwent Dragons
27 July 2007FL Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonathan Mills London Welsh
27 July 2007HK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Aled Gravelle Waterloo

Loan out

Date fromDate toPositionNameTo
18 December 200718 January 2008LK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Lou Reed Rotherham [2]

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References

  1. "Davies rules out King departure". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  2. "Reed joins Rotherham in loan deal". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2008.