THE SCARLETS have confirmed the departure of 15 senior players at the end of the 2022-23 season, in what is set to be a significant shakeup for the club. The news comes following the recent announcements that Sione Kalamafoni, Javan Sebastian, and Dane Blacker are set to move to new clubs, while Aaron Shingler and Alex Jeffries will retire from rugby.
Leigh Halfpenny (pictured), Rhys Patchell, Lewis Rawlins, Tom Price, Phil Price, Taylor Davies, Daf Hughes, Corey Baldwin, WillGriff John, and Iestyn Rees will also be leaving the club, marking the end of an era for many Scarlets fans.
Dwayne Peel, the Scarlets Head Coach, spoke about the announcement, saying, “It is always tough to make this announcement. All the players have given so much to the jersey during their time here. Players like Shings, Leigh, and Patch have played massive parts in Scarlets successes in the league and in Europe over the years, while Lewis Rawlins is a club centurion.”
Peel also praised the departing players’ professionalism, saying, “Every player has been committed to Scarlets during their time here, and I thank them all for their contributions and also for the professional manner in which they have handled what has been a difficult process this season. Our best wishes go out to them all for what comes next.”
The departing players will be honored at the final home game of the season, where they will receive a presentation in front of supporters following the Challenge Cup semi-final against Glasgow Warriors.
Among the departing players is 35-year-old Aaron Shingler, who is retiring from rugby after 15 years with the Scarlets. Shingler made his debut for the Scarlets in 2009 and has gone on to make 226 appearances, winning the player-of-the-match award in the 2017 Guinness PRO12 title triumph against Munster.
Also leaving the club is Rhys Patchell, who joined from Cardiff Blues in 2017. The Wales international fly-half went on to guide the Scarlets to a stunning PRO12 title that year and has made 92 appearances over six seasons, scoring 442 points and 15 tries.
Leigh Halfpenny, the Wales and British & Irish Lions full-back, arrived in Llanelli from Toulon in 2017 and was a key member of the squad that reached the PRO14 final and Champions Cup semi-final in his first season. Halfpenny has amassed 526 points in 58 games since his debut against the Southern Kings in 2017.
The Tongan international No. 8, Sione Kalamafoni, has also been a fan favorite since his arrival from Leicester Tigers in 2020. Kalamafoni has racked up 59 appearances, 10 tries, and numerous player-of-the-match awards and is set to join French side RC Vannes for next season.
The departure of these players marks the end of an era for the Scarlets, who will now look to rebuild and move forward with a new generation of talent.
