CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

CHAIRMANS MESSAGE

SIMON

SCARLETS Vs EMIRATES LIONS

FIRSTLY, WELCOME BACK TO PARC Y SCARLETS. HOW GOOD IS IT TO SAY THAT FOR MY FIRST MATCH-DAY COLUMN OF THE CAMPAIGN!

This almost feels like my first full season since taking on the role as executive chairman. The closest I have come to crowds is the Nottingham pre-season friendly last month and it was brilliant to hear the fans in such good voice that afternoon. Long may that continue.

A lot has happened since my last ramblings back in June. Dwayne has taken the reins as head coach and we have made some significant appointments in his back-room team. We have also welcomed back some familiar faces to the playing squad.

Congratulations as well to our new signing Tomas Lezana, who became the 242nd player to represent the Scarlets on the international stage when he took the field for Argentina against the All Blacks last month.

On the field, last year was disappointing for us and we have set higher standards from a performance perspective. Although we came up just short in Edinburgh last weekend, there are plenty of positive signs that we can compete against the best in both the URC and Europe.

In terms of the United Rugby Championship — and what a great start it was across round one — we have to fully embrace the league and make it as successful as we possibly can. Four new South African teams all bring a bit of spice and a new TV deal with a free-to-air component is massive. The key is for the best players to be playing in our league games and the new URC structure progresses us massively towards that goal.

We are delighted this evening to have been able to offer NHS workers a ticket to the game as a gesture of our gratitude for the incredible dedication and commitment they have shown during the Covid pandemic.

To our loyal supporters, a huge thanks for all your patience as we re-start life at the Parc and continue to work through the many challenges that have presented us over the last 19 months or so.

It will be an emotional evening for us all seeing you back in the ground in your numbers, it has been too long. Enjoy the occasion, but also with Covid still very much a part of our lives, stay safe and be mindful of your fellow fans.

Diolch, Simon