Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick joins Scarlets board

Former All Blacks skipper Sean Fitzpatrick has been appointed as a non executive board member and a global ambassador of Scarlets.

The news follows after Simon Muderack took over as executive chairman this week from Nigel Short.

Fitzpatrick played 92 Tests for New Zealand between 1986 and 1997 and was part of the squad that lifted the inaugural World Cup in 1987. The 57-year-old was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby in the 1997 New Year Honours and has been a board member at Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins since 2008.

“I’m hugely excited to be joining a club with such a rich history,” he said.

“The tradition and the passion is so similar to New Zealand and the Scarlets is the closest to a New Zealand environment I have experienced, completely community based, with a total focus on the development of local talent and pride in their achievement.

“The development structures are outstanding. That is shown by the number of academy players who come through and earn senior contracts and also go on and win international honours, similarly with the coaching structures.

“As for the facilities at Parc y Scarlets, they are as good as I have seen anywhere around the world.

“I remember touring here; I played in the ’89 game at Stradey Park in the rain and gales and experienced that West Wales passion first hand."

Son of former All Blacks player Brian Fitzpatrick, Sean is delighted to work with the Welsh regional side.

“I also feel I have a personal connection with Welsh rugby: it is in my blood. My father played against Wales in the 1953 match — the last time Wales beat the All Blacks — and greats like Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards were my childhood heroes.”

Meanwhile, Harlequins also confirmed that Fitzpatrick will continue his role on the Harlequins Board alongside his new role in Llanelli.