The Welsh Rugby Union thanked Nigel Davies for his work which has helped to formulate one of the key administrative roles in Welsh rugby and wished him well in his move back to elite coaching. Nigel Davies is returning to the team he represented 498 times as a player and from where he won 29 caps for Wales and also achieved the honour of captaining his country before retiring to continue his link as Assistant Coach.
He said: “It is a great honour for me to accept for the role of Head Coach at one of the most famous teams in world rugby. I am grateful to The Scarlets for giving me the chance to take up this challenge and I want to thank Roger Lewis and the Welsh Rugby Union for their good wishes.
“I would like to think that in my time as Head of Rugby Development I have helped crystallize this important new role and I look forward to working closely with whoever takes over from me at the Union. It is really exciting to be returning to the Llanelli Scarlets with the new stadium taking shape and the playing squad being strengthened in time for the new season.
“I believe the experience and knowledge I have gained as a player, coach and administrator so far in my career has been the perfect preparation for the role I am now stepping into. I am also looking forward immensely to working closely with the national coach, Warren Gatland, to ensure he is fully aware of the progress being achieved by all the talent we will be developing at the Scarlets.
“My focus now will be on the thrilling challenges ahead and I approach those challenges with eager determination.”
Nigel Davies will remain with the WRU for several weeks before taking over the reigns at Llanelli, but his job as Head of Rugby Development is being advertised immediately. Going forward the role will be an Executive Board level appointment at the Welsh Rugby Union.
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “Whilst it is sad to see Nigel leave the Union we are delighted he is moving to a position at the very top of Welsh rugby.
“He has made great strides in a short time as our Head of Rugby Development and his work has already helped us realise the full strategic and operational importance of the role. He would have joined the Executive Board of the WRU if he had stayed and the new appointment will start at that level.
“I must thank the Llanelli Scarlets for keeping us fully informed throughout the process so that we could ensure a smooth transition. Nigel’s experience with the WRU will help him settle quickly into his new role which will help build and develop the close liaison we now enjoy with each of our four regions.
“This is an example of how talent nurtured and developed in Wales is being retained to make a difference to the development and growth of Welsh rugby.”
In his new role created by the region Nigel Davies will be responsible for first team performance and management of the Scarlets’ 40 strong squad of players and lead its team of coaching and fitness staff.
Nigel Davies Biography
Nigel Davies boasts a rugby pedigree which sets him apart from many of his contemporaries in the global game. He is a former international centre and coach who also achieved success in industry to hone his managerial skills.
As a player of undisputed talent he played 498 games for Llanelli becoming one of only 21 players to have scored more than 100 tries for the Scarlets where he also played in a record nine Welsh cup finals, winning six.
He played 29 times for Wales and earned the rare honour of captaining his country as well. In the 1993/94 season he played in the championship winning Wales team. During the same season he was a key member of the Llanelli team which won the treble of the WRU Cup, the Welsh league and beat the then world champion Australia touring team.
After retiring as a player he began a coaching career in which he rose to become Head Coach of Wales for the November 2007 fixture against South Africa in Cardiff. His coaching career had begun at Llanelli where he helped develop 25 players who eventually became full Welsh internationals.
At Llanelli he worked as attack coach alongside Head Coach Gareth Jenkins and helped the Scarlets earn a to four ranking in Europe. With Nigel’s help the Scarlets reached four European quarter finals in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2004 and two semi’s in 200 and 2002. They were Welsh Cup winners in 1998, 2000 and 2003 and Welsh cup finalists in 1999 and 2002.
In 1999 and 2002 they were Welsh League champions and won the WRU Challenge Cup Trophy in 1999. Now he admits he has achieved the dream job of Head Performance Coach of the team which has been pivotal to his life in rugby.
