Why Sam’s the man for Pivac as Scarlets build for next term
HEAD coach Wayne Pivac believes new signing Sam Hidalgo-Clyne will be a perfect fit for his Scarlets squad, writes Rob Lloyd.
The nine-times capped Scotland international scrum-half has become the latest addition to Pivac’s roster for 2018-19.
The 24-year-old is being seen as a direct replacement for Ospreysbound Wales No.9 Aled Davies, although he can also cover fly-half and is an accomplished goal-kicker.
“When Aled announced he was leaving we had to look for a replacement,” explained Pivac
“This year we had to go to fifth and sixth choice in South Africa which meant we had to bring in two players from outside our squad.
“Knowing Gareth (Davies) is ranked number one in Wales at the moment there is a strong possibility we will be down one scrum-half again next season, so we have been in the market for some time.
“It was just a case of waiting for the right player that we think will fit our environment and style of play and we think Sam fits that bill.”
Hidalgo-Clyne won the last of his Scotland caps against Wales in Cardiff two years ago, having fallen below the likes of Greig Laidlaw, Ali Price and Henry Pyrgos in the Test pecking order.
However, he has shown signs of returning to his best during Edinburgh’s push to the Guinness PRO14 play-offs and played what was a starring role in the 52-14 rout of the Scarlets at Murrayfield last month.
He will hope to enjoy the same success in west Wales as his compatriots Sean Lamont and John Barclay, who is returning north of the border to join Edinburgh this summer.
Pivac added: “From our point of view we look at what is motivating player and we want to make sure players are coming here for all the right reasons. My conversations with Sam were very positive.
“I think it is going to be a good move for him and he will complement our squad very well.
“What I like also, is not just the fact that he plays nine, but he goal kicks too and played most of his rugby at 10 prior to the last five seasons.
“He is a guy that can cover both positions at this level, he will be a very, very handy guy to have in the squad.
“I also think back to a game at Parc y Scarlets a couple of years ago when Edinburgh beat us, he played very well that day and I have been keeping an eye on him ever since.
“He is one of those players when he has played against us he has played well every time, that stays in your mind.
“Once it came across the desk that he was looking for a potential move, we spoke to him.”
The Scarlets will also welcome back academy product Kieran Hardy from English Championship side Jersey.
The former Wales Under-20s scrum-half and Hidalgo-Clyne will join Blade Thomson, Kieron Fonotia, Uzair Casseim and Clayton Blommetjies among the new arrivals for next season.
Cheetahs pair Casseim and Blommetjies will get an early taste of life at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday evening (6.35pm) as the South African side look to upset the Scarlets’ quest for back-to-back league titles in what promises to be a freerunning Guinness PRO14 quarterfinal play-off.
The Scarlets are boosted by the return from injury of Wales prop Wyn Jones and wing Tom Prydie for the match, but lock Jake Ball is still not ready to make his longawaited comeback from shoulder surgery.
The winner of Saturday’s match will travel to take on Glasgow in the semi-finals on May 18.