Scarlets axe defence coach Gareth Williams

Scarlets have announced that defence coach Gareth Williams has been removed from the coaching group with immediate effect.

The decision follows after the club endured a tough time in the ongoing United Rugby Championship season where they managed just two wins from 10 matches. Scarlets have also conceded close to 500 points in the season from 14 matches which eventually cost Williams his place.

The province revealed that Williams has been offered a new role within the team’s academy and development pathway after relieving him out of the first team duties.

The new development means attack coach Jared Payne will be taking charge of the defence while head coach Dwayne Peel will now oversee the attack coach role. Albert van den Berg and Emyr Phillips will continue their role with forwards and scrum respectively.

Scarlets are positioned 14th in the United Rugby Championship table following eight defeats in the competition. They also finished at the bottom of Pool 3 in the European Challenge Cup after losing all their four matches.

They will be taking on Connacht in the 11th round on 2nd March at Dexcom Stadium.