Injury-hit Phillips among dozen heading for the exit
FORMER Wales U20s Grand Slamwinning captain Tom Phillips is among 12 players definitely leaving the Scarlets this summer.
The talented Australia Sevens international Paul Asquith is also on a list of departees issued by the region, along with his Wales-qualified countryman Ed Kennedy, with both believed to be returning home.
Jake Ball, Jac Morgan, Osian Knott, Uzair Cassiem and Werner Kruger are also confirmed as leavers.
Pieter Scholtz, Will Homer, Joe Miles and Dylan Evans complete the dozen.
Wales second row Ball is heading to Australia to link up with his family, with Morgan and Knott heading for the Ospreys.
Cassiem is understood to be joining Bayonne, while popular prop Kruger is retiring as a player and heading back to South Africa.
The assumption is that Phillips will be looking for a new club.
A tough blindside flanker, he was outstanding when skippering Wales Under-20s to a Six Nations clean sweep five years ago, impressing with his maturity and leadership, not to mention courage and willingness to put his body on the line.
Phillips’s captaincy was crucial to their success, with the Llanelli Wanderers product commanding the respect of his team-mates.
But he’s had a run of ill fortune at the Scarlets, with injuries contributing to the Llanelli-born player making just 27 appearances at regional level.
Those bumps have checked his progress. But at 25, he still has time to establish himself on the senior scene.
Asquith will depart West Wales after four years.
The man from Woolongong had previously played for Melbourne
Rebels in Super Rugby. Able to play across the backline, he has been a hit with his silky skills and eye for a gap.
Scarlets executive chairman Simon Muderack said: “Werner is retiring after a wonderful career, Jake, Ed and Paul are heading back to Australia, while others are taking up new opportunities and we wish them all well.”
The Scarlets also waved goodbye to Tevita Ratuva earlier this season, with the lock joining Brive.