Halfpenny heads list of 17 players to agree new terms as Scarlets seek pay reductions

Leigh Halfpenny, Gareth Davies, Rhys Patchell and Samson Lee head a list of 17 players who have agreed new contracts with the Scarlets.

British and Irish Lions fullback Halfpenny and Wales caps Davies, Patchell and Lee have all completed revised terms as the Scarlets have looked to resolve pay reduction disputes.

The Welsh Rugby Players’ Association (WRPA) agreed 25 per cent salary reductions to last three months with the Welsh Rugby Union back in

April, as the coronavirus pandemic hit sport hard.

However, talks stalled on a long-term agreement that was expected to cover all four Welsh regions, but now the Scarlets have agreed deals for the 2020-21 campaign with a sizeable contingent.

“It is crucial that we keep building the strength and depth of our squad and these renewals are evidence of that,” said Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney. Players like Leigh, Gareth, Patch and Samson have proven themselves on the world stage and keeping players of that calibre is vital to our ambitions of challenging for silverware.

“Theacademyhasproduced some outstanding Scarlets over the years and continues to do so and we have high hopes for a number of our young players who are coming through and challenging.”

Home grown talents Josh Macleod, Ryan Conbeer, Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy and Steff Hughes also agreed new terms. Angus O’brien, Phil Price, Tom Rogers, Steff Thomas, Josh Helps, Morgan Jones, Jac Price and Joe Roberts are the others to complete new deals.