Scarlets pair set for national service
WALES are close to putting the future of their national squad in the hands of their dream ticket – Wayne Pivac and Stephen Jones.
Almost a year after short listing three candidates to succeed Warren Gatland as head coach after next year’s World Cup, the WRU could make an announcement as soon as tomorrow.
Chairman Gareth Davies and Martyn Phillips, have called a news conference in Cardiff to ‘update on matters relating Welsh rugby.’
“I think it’s an easy decision,’’ the Scarlets’ former Lions star JJ Williams said. “Wayne Pivac is the ideal man.
“Having been here for a few years, he understands the Welsh culture. That’s important. New Zealand coaches bring an edge in discipline and fitness but it takes them the best part of a year to understand what Welsh rugby is about.
“Graham Henry discov-
ered that for himself during his first year in the job. I remember how taken aback he was at 20,000 Welsh fans going to Scotland and how he said he never realised that the game was that important.
“Wayne knows the bulk of the Welsh team because they’re from the Scarlets. And he knows all the other Welsh players. He and Stephen Jones would be the right combination. The Welsh public will buy into that.
“Stephen always tended to be underrated and understated as a player. You have to be impressed with the way the Scarlets have played in the last two years and the part Stephen has played in that as the backs coach.
“If Wales are going to adopt this open style, it makes sense to have the Scarlets’ coaching team in charge. That’s why I say it’s an easy decision.’’
Pivac, a 55-year-old expoliceman, joined the Scarlets as forwards’ coach in 2014, taking overall charge six months later. Wales have placed an increasing reliance on the Scarlet players whom he guided to the PRO12 title, as it was then, and the Champions Cup semi-finals in successive seasons.
Ten of them started in the opening Six Nations romp against Scotland followed by six more before the season ended in Argentina.
Chairman Davies was unavailable for comment yesterday. Other sources said they had been ‘sworn to secrecy,’ suggesting that the decision had been made and that an announcement was imminent.