Halfpenny will help us to emulate Leinster - Parkes

SCARLETS Kiwi centre Hadleigh Parkes is loving life in Wales and has set his sights on defending the title in the newly revamped PRO 14 competition, bolstered by South African sides Toyota Cheetahs and Southern Kings.

Leinster are the only team to have made it backto-back Celtic titles, but Parkes insists a Scarlets side boosted by the signing of Leigh Halfpenny are in with a shot.

He told The Rugby Paper: “I’m really enjoying it with the Scarlets and I’ve resigned for another two years. I’m staying here for a little while and my partner and I love it in Wales.

“We have to continue to try and improve. It was a great end to last season and the boys were playing some really good footy. Now we’re looking to keep improving this year.

“It really started to click at the end of last season – we’d worked hard to get to that level – and we scored some really good tries. Hopefully we can keep building and rekindle the partnerships between the loose forwards and the backs.

“Only one team has done back-to-back titles, but if we improve each week then we’ll put our best foot forward towards doing that.”

Parkes – who was subject of interest from Cardiff Blues and Premiership clubs before re-signing with the Scarlets – was excellent for Wayne Pivac’s men last term.

The former Hurricane’s ability to play centre and fly-half proved invaluable in the title run-in and although the Scarlets have lost Liam Williams and DTH van der Merwe, they have recruited well.

“Tom Prydie is very experienced at this level and there are a lot of young guys waiting in the wings for an opportunity. Hopefully some of those will step up,” Parkes said.

“DTH and Liam were big parts of our squad. They’ve left big boots to fill, but it gives other players a chance to impress. Prydie, Tom Williams, Ryan Conbeer and Corey Baldwin; these are young guys who are coming through our system. I’m sure they’ll get a chance in pre-season.”