2019–20 Scarlets season explained

Club:	Scarlets
Season:	2019–20
Manager:	Brad Mooar Glenn Delaney
Mgrtitle:	Head coach
Chairman:	Simon Muderack
Chrtitle:	Chairman
League:	Pro 14
League Result:	3rd, conference B
Cup1:	European Rugby Challenge Cup
Cup1 Result:	Quarter-finals
League Try Scorer:	Steff Evans – 9
Try Scorer:	Steff Evans – 11
League Points Scorer:	Dan Jones – 74
Points Scorer:	Dan Jones – 95
Highest Attendance:	13,682 vs. Ospreys (26 December 2019)
Lowest Attendance:	5,639 vs. Edinburgh (15 February 2020)
Average Attendance:	7,116
Prevseason:	2018–19
Nextseason:	2020–21

The 2019–20 season was the 16th season in the history of the Scarlets, a Welsh regional rugby union side based in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. They competed in the Pro14 and after failing to qualify for the Champions Cup the previous season for the first time in their history, participated in the Challenge Cup.

It was the team's first and only season under head coach Brad Mooar,^[1] who was assisted by defence coach Glenn Delaney^[2] and assistant attack coach Richard Whiffin,^[3] following Wayne Pivac's departure to leathe Wales national team.^[4] On December 24, 2019, it was announced that Mooar would leave the Scarlets at the end of the season to join the New Zealand All Blacks' coaching team.^[5]

On 12 March 2020, the season was indefinitely suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[6] The regular season resumed on 22 August 2020, with the number of rounds reduced from 21 to 15; any postponed games were deemed 0-0 draws, with both teams awarded two points. Rounds 14 and 15 consisted of derbie matches for each Welsh region, with the top two teams in each conference advancing to the semi-final stage.^[7] Delaney took charge as head coach after Mooar's departure, leading the team in the games played in August and September 2020.^[8]

Pre-season and friendlies

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance
7 September 2019	Jersey Reds	A	49–17	Tries: James 2' c, M. Jones 26' c, Hughes 45' c, Prydie 53' c, Rawlins 65' c, O'Brien 72' c, Conbeer 75' c Conversions: D. Jones (2) 2', 26', O'Brien (5) 45', 53', 65', 72', 75'	1,077
14 September 2019	Dragons	A	17–34	Tries: D. Jones 54' m, Baldwin 68' c, Lewis 79' m Conversion: D. Jones 68'	2,657

Pro14

Fixtures

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance	Table position
28 September 2019	Connacht	H	18–10	Tries: St. Evans 19' m, Asquith 34' c Conversion: D. Jones 34' Penalties: D. Jones (2) 43', 59'	6,415	4th
4 October 2019	Glasgow Warriors	A	25–21	Tries: Hardy 45' c, Asquith 49' c, St. Evans 51' m Conversions: D. Jones 45', O'Brien 50' Penalties: D. Jones (2) 23', 37'	6,897	1st
12 October 2019	Zebre	H	54–10	Tries: Hardy (2) 1' c, 28' c, Macleod 7' m, Conbeer 21'c, T. Davies 42' c, McNicholl (2) 49' c, 80' c, Helps 72' Conversions: D. Jones (4) 2', 22', 29', 43', O'Brien (3) 49', 73', 80+1'	6,424	1st
26 October 2019	Edinburgh	A	7–46	Try: M. Jones 59' c Conversion: D. Jones 59'	5,191	4th
2 November 2019	Cheetahs	H	17–13	Tries: St. Evans 21' c, Hardy 36' c Conversions: D. Jones (2) 22', 38' Penalty: D. Jones 68'	6,381	1st
9 November 2019	Benetton	H	20–17	Tries: St. Evans 5' c, R. Evans 53' c Conversions: D. Jones (2) 7', 54' Penalties D. Jones (2) 28', 80+1'	6,383	2nd
29 November 2019	Ulster	A	5–29	Try: Morgan 74' m	12,319	4th
21 December 2019	Dragons	A	20–22	Tries: G. Davies 24' c, Owens 29' c Conversions: Halfpenny (2) 25', 30' Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 3', 75'	5,517	4th
26 December 2019	Ospreys	H	44–0	Tries: St. Evans (2) 24' c, 59' m, Conbeer (2) 38' c, 53' m, Hardy 63' c, Macleod 72' c Conversions: Halfpenny (3) 25', 40', 64', O'Brien 73' Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 17', 30'	13,682	2nd
3 January 2020	Cardiff Blues	A	16–14	Try: G. Davies 27' c Conversion: Halfpenny 28' Penalties: Halfpenny (3) 7', 11', 40'	12,125	1st
15 February 2020	Edinburgh	H	9–14	Penalties: D. Jones (3) 10', 35', 47'	5,639	3rd
23 February 2020	Southern Kings	H	36–17	Tries: Ratuva 19' c, Kennedy 33' m, Conbeer 51' c, Cassiem 61' c, D. Davis 68' m, Rogers 71'm Conversions: D. Jones (3) 20', 52', 62'	5,965	3rd
29 February 2020	Munster	A	10–29	Try: Sebastian 60' c Conversion: D. Jones 61' Penalty: D. Jones 7'	13,554	3rd
20 March 2020	Connacht	A	P–P
28 March 2020	Dragons	H	P–P
11 April 2020	Southern Kings	A	P–P
18 April 2020	Cardiff Blues	H	P–P
24 April 2020	Benetton	A	P–P
9 May 2020	Leinster	H	P–P
16 May 2020	Munster	H	P–P
30 May 2020	Ospreys	A	P–P
22 August 2020	Cardiff Blues	H	32–12	Tries: Kennedy 4' m, St. Evans (2) 22' c, 42' m, Lousi 48' c, McNicholl 55' m Conversions: Halfpenny (2) 23', 50' Penalties: Halfpenny 32'	0	3rd
29 August 2020	Dragons	A	41–20	Tries: Lee 18' c, St. Evans 26' c, Ja. Davies 31' m, McNicholl 55' c, Rogers 66' m, Blacker 70' c Conversions: D. Jones (4) 19', 27', 56', 71' Penalty: D. Jones 60'	0	3rd

Table

Conference B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	PD	BP	Pts
2	Munster	15	10	0	5	426	255	+171	11	51
3	Scarlets	15	10	0	5	354	274	+80	7	47
4	Connacht	15	8	0	7	302	360	−58	8	40

Rugby Challenge Cup

Pool stage

Fixtures

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance	Table position
16 November 2019	London Irish	H	20–16	Tries: Baldwin 28' c, S. Hughes 51' c Conversions: D. Jones (2) 30', 52' Penalties: D. Jones (2) 14', 40+1'	6,753	2nd
22 November 2019	Toulon	A	16–17	Try: McNicholl 14' c Conversion: Lamb 15' Penalties: Lamb 47', D. Jones 67' Drop Goal: D. Jones 69'	10,212	3rd
7 December 2019	Bayonne	A	19–11	Try: R. Evans 28' c Conversion: Halfpenny 29' Penalties: Halfpenny (4) 11', 40+1', 50', 56'	5,957	2nd
14 December 2019	Bayonne	H	46–5	Tries: Conbeer 5' m, Elias 47' c, Hardy (2) 50' c, 68' c, O'Brien 56' c, Halfpenny 74' c Conversions: Halfpenny (5) 49', 51', 57', 69', 75' Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 16', 22'	6,257	2nd
11 January 2020	Toulon	H	15–27	Tries: G. Davies 1' m, St. Evans 73' c Conversions: Halfpenny 74' Penalties: Halfpenny 10'	7,565	2nd
18 January 2020	London Irish	A	33–14	Tries: Baldwin 21' c, D. Jones 28' c, Hardy 36' c, Penalty Try 46', St. Evans 57' m Conversions: Halfpenny (3) 22', 29', 37'	3,444	2nd

Table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	PD	BP	Pts
1	Toulon	6	6	0	0	177	87	+90	4	28
2	Scarlets	6	4	0	2	149	90	+59	3	19
3	Bayonne	6	1	0	5	93	190	−97	3	7
4	London Irish	6	1	0	5	122	174	−52	3	7

Knockout stage

Statistics

(+ in the Apps column denotes substitute appearance, positions listed are the ones they have started a game in during the season)

Pos.	Name	Pro 14						European Challenge Cup						Total						Discipline
		Apps	Try	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts	Apps	Try	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts	Apps	Try	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts
FB	Leigh Halfpenny	4	0	8	9	0	40	5	1	10	9	0	52	9	1	18	18	0	92	0	0
FB/WG	Johnny McNicholl	9	4	0	0	0	20	5	1	0	0	0	5	14	5	0	0	0	25	0	0
WG/FB	Steffan Evans	16	9	0	0	0	45	7	2	0	0	0	10	23	11	0	0	0	55	0	0
WG	Ryan Conbeer	7+3	4	0	0	0	20	1	1	0	0	0	5	8+3	5	0	0	0	25	0	0
WG	Corey Baldwin	4+5	0	0	0	0	0	4+1	2	0	0	0	10	8+6	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
WG	Tom James	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
WG	Morgan Williams	1	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	1+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
WG	Tom Rogers	0+2	2	0	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
CE	Steffan Hughes	15	0	0	0	0	0	7	1	0	0	0	5	22	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
CE	Paul Asquith	7+5	2	0	0	0	10	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	8+8	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
CE	Ioan Nicholas	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Kieron Fonotia	3+2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	5+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Hadleigh Parkes	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Johnny Williams	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Tyler Morgan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FH/FB	Angus O'Brien	6+5	0	5	0	0	10	2+3	1	0	0	0	5	8+8	1	5	0	0	15	0	0
FH	Dan Jones	13	0	19	12	0	74	4+3	1	2	3	1	21	17+3	1	21	15	1	95	0	0
FH	Ryan Lamb	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	1+2	0	1	1	0	5	1+5	0	1	1	0	5	0	0
SH	Kieran Hardy	10+4	5	0	0	0	25	3+4	3	0	0	0	15	13+8	8	0	0	0	40	0	0
SH	Dane Blacker	0+7	1	0	0	0	5	1+2	0	0	0	0	0	1+9	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
SH	Jonathan Evans	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	1+4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Gareth Davies	4	2	0	0	0	10	3	1	0	0	0	5	7	2	0	0	0	15	0	0
N8	Sione Kalamafoni	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
N8/FL	Uzair Cassiem	12+2	1	0	0	0	5	5+1	0	0	0	0	0	17+3	1	0	0	0	5	1	0
N8/FL	Blade Thomson	3+1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	7+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FL	Josh Macleod	14+1	2	0	0	0	10	6	0	0	0	0	0	20+1	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
FL	Tom Phillips	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FL	Dan Davis	0+7	1	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+7	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
FL	Ed Kennedy	5	2	0	0	0	10	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	5+1	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
LK/FL	Jac Morgan	1+1	1	0	0	0	5	1+2	0	0	0	0	0	2+3	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
FL	Aaron Shingler	5	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FL	James Davies	1+1	1	0	0	0	5	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	1+2	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
LK/FL	Lewis Rawlins	10+2	0	0	0	0	0	2+2	0	0	0	0	0	12+4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
LK	Steve Cummins	6+3	0	0	0	0	0	1+1	0	0	0	0	0	7+4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Josh Helps	0+5	1	0	0	0	5	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0+7	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
LK	Juandre Kruger	2+1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Tevita Ratuva	2+4	1	0	0	0	5	3+1	0	0	0	0	0	5+5	1	0	0	0	5	1	1
LK	Sam Lousi	6	1	0	0	0	5	4+1	0	0	0	0	0	10+1	1	0	0	0	5	0	1
LK	Jake Ball	4+1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	8+1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
LK	Danny Drake	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Marc Jones	3+4	1	0	0	0	5	0+4	0	0	0	0	0	3+8	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
HK	Taylor Davies	6+3	1	0	0	0	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	7+3	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
HK	Ryan Elias	2+4	0	0	0	0	0	4+2	1	0	0	0	5	6+5	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
HK	Ken Owens	4+1	1	0	0	0	5	2+1	0	0	0	0	0	6+2	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
HK	Ifan Phillips	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Samson Lee	11	1	0	0	0	5	4+1	0	0	0	0	0	15+1	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
PR	Rob Evans	4+3	1	0	0	0	5	2+3	1	0	0	0	5	6+6	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
PR	Phil Price	6+10	0	0	0	0	0	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	7+13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Werner Kruger	4+8	0	0	0	0	0	2+3	0	0	0	0	0	6+11	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
PR	Dylan Evans	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0+4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Javan Sebastian	0+6	1	0	0	0	5	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	1+9	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
PR	Wyn Jones	5	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Stats correct as of 19 September 2020

Transfers

In

Date confirmed	Pos.	Name	From	Ref.
2 April 2019	LK	Sam Lousi	Hurricanes	^[9]
20 June 2019	SH	Dane Blacker	Cardiff Blues	^[10]
	LK	Danny Drake	North Harbour
	PR	Alex Jeffries	Ospreys
2 July 2019	WG	Tom James	Cardiff Blues	^[11]
20 September 2019	LK	Juandré Kruger	Toulon	^[12]
	FH	Ryan Lamb	La Rochelle
17 February 2020	HK	Ifan Phillips	Ospreys (loan)	^[13]
25 February 2020	FB	Liam Williams	Saracens	^[14]
20 May 2020	CE	Tyler Morgan	Dragons	^[15]
14 July 2020	N8	Sione Kalamafoni	Leicester Tigers	^[16]
	CE	Johnny Williams	Newcastle Falcons	^[17]
25 August 2020	SH	Will Homer	Jersey Reds	^[18]

Out

Date confirmed	Pos.	Name	To	Ref.
14 March 2019	PR	Scott Jenkins	Bedford Blues	^[19]
24 March 2019	LK	Tom Price	Exeter Chiefs	^[20]
12 April 2019	SH	Declan Smith	Released	^[21]
20 May 2019	FL	Will Boyde	Cardiff Blues	^[22]
16 June 2019	LK	David Bulbring	Kubota Spears	^[23]
21 June 2019	SH	Sam Hidalgo-Clyne	Racing 92	^[24]
3 July 2019	PR	Nicky Thomas	Bristol Bears	^[25]
9 July 2019	FB	Clayton Blommetjies	Free State Cheetahs	^[26]
29 November 2019	LK	Juandré Kruger	Bulls	^[27]
10 December 2019	PR	Rhys Fawcett	Ospreys (loan)	^[28]
		Simon Gardiner
30 January 2020	FB	Tomi Lewis	Ampthill (loan)	^[29]
2 March 2020	CE	Corey Baldwin	Exeter Chiefs	^[30]
12 May 2020	WG	Tom James	Retired	^[31]
13 May 2020	PR	Rhys Fawcett	Released	^[32]
		Simon Gardiner
	FB	Morgan Williams
	CE	Kieron Fonotia	Tasman	^[33]
	SH	Jonathan Evans	Retired	^[34]
	CE	Hadleigh Parkes	Panasonic Wild Knights	^[35]
19 August 2020	LK	Danny Drake	Gloucester Rugby (loan)	^[36]
21 August 2020	PR	Dylan Evans	Glasgow Warriors (loan)	^[37]
27 August 2020	SR	Steve Cummins	Section Paloise	^[38]

Notes and References

1. News: Brad Mooar: Scarlets name Crusaders assistant as next head coach . BBC Sport . 3 December 2018 . 11 September 2019 .
2. News: Glenn Delaney: New Zealander named as Scarlets defence coach . BBC Sport . 21 May 2019 . 11 September 2019 .
3. News: Scarlets appoint Richard Whiffin to complete new-look coaching team . scarlets.co.uk . Scarlets Regional . 28 May 2019 . 11 September 2019 . 1 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190601195742/https://www.scarlets.wales/en/team-news/articles/scarlets-appoint-richard-whiffin-to-complete-new-look-coaching-team/ . dead .
4. News: Paul . Rees . Wayne Pivac to succeed Gatland as new Wales coach after the World Cup . The Guardian . Guardian News & Media . 9 July 2018 . 11 September 2019 .
5. News: Brad Mooar confirmed for coaching role with All Blacks. Scarlets . 24 December 2019 . 22 December 2022.
6. News: Guinness PRO14 Season Suspended. 12 March 2020. Pro14. 13 August 2020. 12 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812135308/https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/pro14/guinness-pro14-season-suspended. dead.
7. News: Guinness PRO14 set target date of August 22 to return to action. 18 June 2020. Scarlets. 13 August 2020.
8. News: Rugby: Glenn Delaney appointed Scarlets head coach. 6 February 2020. NZ Herald. 23 December 2022.
9. News: Scarlets: Sam Lousi joins Welsh region from Hurricanes . BBC Sport . 2 April 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
10. News: Danny Drake: New Zealand lock among three new players at Scarlets . BBC Sport . 20 June 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
11. News: Tom James: Ex-Wales wing signs for Scarlets . BBC Sport . 2 July 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
12. News: Scarlets strengthen squad with signings of Juandre Kruger and Ryan Lamb as World Cup cover . scarlets.co.uk . Scarlets Regional . 20 September 2019 . 20 September 2019 .
13. News: Scarlets sign hooker Ifan Phillips on short-term loan deal. Scarlets . 17 February 2020 . 17 February 2020 .
14. News: Liam Williams: Scarlets confirm early return of Wales full-back from Saracens . BBC Sport . 25 February 2020 . 27 February 2020 .
15. News: Liam Williams: Scarlets sign Wales international Tyler Morgan. Scarlets . 20 May 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
16. News: Liam Williams: Scarlets add Tongan back-rower Sione Kalamfoni to squad. Scarlets . 14 July 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
17. News: Liam Williams: Scarlets sign centre Johnny Williams from Falcons. Scarlets . 14 July 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
18. News: Scarlets sign scrum-half Will Homer. Scarlets . 25 August 2020 . 25 August 2020 .
19. News: Atkinson & Jenkins sign up . Bedford Blues . 14 March 2019 . 10 September 2019 . 1 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190901054947/http://bedfordrugby.co.uk/content/atkinson-jenkins-sign . dead .
20. News: Tom Price: Exeter Chiefs sign Scarlets lock for 2019-20 . BBC Sport . 24 March 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
21. News: Scarlets to release back-rower Will Boyde at end of season . BBC Sport . 12 April 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
22. News: Flanker Will Boyde joins Cardiff Blues following Scarlets exit . BBC Sport . 20 May 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
23. News: Simon . Thomas . The Welsh-qualified title-winner who is heading to Japan . Wales Online . Media Wales . 16 June 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
24. News: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne: Scotland scrum-half joins Racing 92 as World Cup cover . BBC Sport . 21 June 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
25. News: Nicky Thomas joins on one-year deal . Bristol Bears . 3 July 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
26. News: Blommetjies back at Cheetahs . Sport24 . 9 July 2019 . 10 September 2019 .
27. News: Diolch yn fawr!!! Thank you @scarlets_rugby it’s been an absolute pleasure. Once a scarlet always a scarlet!!! . Twitter . 29 November 2019 . 29 December 2019 .
28. News: Scarlets loan props to Ospreys to ease injury crisis. BBC Sport . 10 December 2019 . 29 December 2019 .
29. News: Lewis joins Ampthill from Scarlets! . Ampthill RUFC . 30 January 2020 . 2 February 2020 .
30. News: Baldwin seals switch to the Chiefs . Exeter Chiefs . 2 March 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
31. News: Tom James to retire from professional rugby . Scarlets . 12 May 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
32. News: Scarlets confirm summer departures . Scarlets . 13 May 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
33. News: Tasman sign Crusaders and Blues aces Sevu Reece and Mark Telea . Stuff.nz . 6 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 .
34. News: Top Welsh rugby player forced to leave game and start office job at 28 after receiving shock news. Wales Online . 21 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 .
35. News: Hadleigh Parkes pays tribute to Scarlets supporters as he confirms Japan move . Scarlets . 25 May 2020 . 22 July 2020 .
36. News: Danny Drake and Charlie Beckett join Gloucester Rugby on short-term deals . Gloucester . 19 August 2020 . 20 August 2020 .
37. News: Team named for 1872 Cup decider . Glasgow . 21 August 2020 . 22 August 2020 .
38. News: Steve Cummins joins French side Pau . Scarlets . 27 August 2020 . 27 August 2020 .