Nigel Davies is writing his own chapter in Scarlets history after being confirmed as their Director of Rugby on a two-year deal that will see him steer the Welsh region until 2028. The former Wales centre's return to Llanelli has sparked a dramatic turnaround for the struggling outfit, who have hauled themselves out of the doldrums and above Zebre and Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC) table.
But it's not just his interim stint that's caught the eye - Davies' permanent appointment sends a clear signal to fans: this is a club on the up, with a vision for success. The transfer market has been busy as Scarlets have snapped up seven new signings and secured fresh deals with key players, laying down a marker for the seasons ahead.
The likes of prop Corey Domachowski from Cardiff, Cullen Grace from Crusaders, and Isaac Murray-MacGregor from Canterbury are just a few of the big-name additions that will bolster Davies' squad. And it's not just the new faces - influential forwards Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, and Sam Lousi, along with former Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies, have committed their futures to the club, while Eamon O'Carroll joins from St Helens as defence coach and Aaron Dundon takes up the role of forwards coach.
This deal may have coincided with the WRU's plans to reduce the number of men's professional teams from four to three by 2028, but Davies is confident his team will be ready for whatever comes next. "We've worked tirelessly to strengthen our squad and coaching team, ensuring every part of the rugby programme is aligned behind one clear vision," he declared.
Davies' passion and commitment are palpable as he prepares to lead Scarlets into a new era - but he knows there's still work to be done. The 2026-27 URC campaign gets underway on Saturday, September 26, with a home tie against Cardiff, before the away derby against Dragons in round two.
This appointment is a statement of intent from Scarlets: they're in it for the long haul and will stop at nothing to build a team that'll make their supporters proud - even when the going gets tough.