2019–20 Scarlets season

The 2019–20 season was the 16th season in the history of the Scarlets, a Welsh regional rugby union side based in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. They competed in the Pro14 and, having failed the previous season to qualify for the Champions Cup for the first time in their history, the Challenge Cup.

Scarlets
2019–20 season
Head coachBrad Mooar
Glenn Delaney
ChairmanSimon Muderack
Pro 143rd, conference B
European Rugby Challenge CupQuarter-finals
Top try scorerLeague: Steff Evans – 9
All: Steff Evans – 11
Top points scorerLeague: Dan Jones – 74
All: Dan Jones – 95
Highest home attendance13,682 vs. Ospreys (26 December 2019)
Lowest home attendance5,639 vs. Edinburgh (15 February 2020) [a]
Average home attendance7,116 [a]

It was the team's first and only season under head coach Brad Mooar,[1] who was assisted by defence coach Glenn Delaney[2] and assistant attack coach Richard Whiffin,[3] after Wayne Pivac departed to take charge of the Wales national team.[4] On the 24th of December 2019, it was announced that Mooar would leave the Scarlets at the end of the season to join the New Zealand All Blacks' coaching team.[5]

On 12 March 2020, the season was indefinitely suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] The regular season resumed on 22 August 2020, with the number of rounds reduced from 21 to 15 and any games postponed prior to the indefinite suspension of the season being deemed as 0–0 draws and both teams awarded two points. Rounds 14 and 15 took place as derbies for each Welsh region, with the top two teams in each conference progressing to the semi-final stage.[7] Delaney was appointed as head coach after Mooar's departure and took charge of the games in August and September 2020.[8]

Pre-season and friendlies

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Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
7 September 2019 Jersey Reds A 49–17 Tries: James 2' c, M. Jones 26' c, Hughes 45' c, Prydie 53' c,
Rawlins 65' c, O'Brien 72' c, Conbeer 75' c
Conversions: D. Jones (2) 2', 26', O'Brien (5) 45', 53', 65', 72', 75'
1,077
14 September 2019 Dragons A 17–34 Tries: D. Jones 54' m, Baldwin 68' c, Lewis 79' m
Conversion: D. Jones 68'
2,657

Pro14

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Fixtures

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Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance Table
position
28 September 2019 Connacht H 18–10 Tries: St. Evans 19' m, Asquith 34' c
Conversion: D. Jones 34'
Penalties: D. Jones (2) 43', 59'
6,415 4th
4 October 2019 Glasgow Warriors A 25–21 Tries: Hardy 45' c, Asquith 49' c, St. Evans 51' m
Conversions: D. Jones 45', O'Brien 50'
Penalties: D. Jones (2) 23', 37'
6,897 1st
12 October 2019 Zebre H 54–10 Tries: Hardy (2) 1' c, 28' c, Macleod 7' m, Conbeer 21'c,
T. Davies 42' c, McNicholl (2) 49' c, 80' c, Helps 72'
Conversions: D. Jones (4) 2', 22', 29', 43',
O'Brien (3) 49', 73', 80+1'
6,424 1st
26 October 2019 Edinburgh A 7–46 Try: M. Jones 59' c
Conversion: D. Jones 59'
5,191 4th
2 November 2019 Cheetahs H 17–13 Tries: St. Evans 21' c, Hardy 36' c
Conversions: D. Jones (2) 22', 38'
Penalty: D. Jones 68'
6,381 1st
9 November 2019 Benetton H 20–17 Tries: St. Evans 5' c, R. Evans 53' c
Conversions: D. Jones (2) 7', 54'
Penalties D. Jones (2) 28', 80+1'
6,383 2nd
29 November 2019 Ulster A 5–29 Try: Morgan 74' m 12,319 4th
21 December 2019 Dragons A 20–22 Tries: G. Davies 24' c, Owens 29' c
Conversions: Halfpenny (2) 25', 30'
Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 3', 75'
5,517 4th
26 December 2019 Ospreys H 44–0 Tries: St. Evans (2) 24' c, 59' m, Conbeer (2) 38' c, 53' m,
Hardy 63' c, Macleod 72' c
Conversions: Halfpenny (3) 25', 40', 64', O'Brien 73'
Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 17', 30'
13,682 2nd
3 January 2020 Cardiff Blues A 16–14 Try: G. Davies 27' c
Conversion: Halfpenny 28'
Penalties: Halfpenny (3) 7', 11', 40'
12,125 1st
15 February 2020 Edinburgh H 9–14 Penalties: D. Jones (3) 10', 35', 47' 5,639 3rd
23 February 2020 Southern Kings H 36–17 Tries: Ratuva 19' c, Kennedy 33' m, Conbeer 51' c,
Cassiem 61' c, D. Davis 68' m, Rogers 71'm
Conversions: D. Jones (3) 20', 52', 62'
5,965 3rd
29 February 2020 Munster A 10–29 Try: Sebastian 60' c
Conversion: D. Jones 61'
Penalty: D. Jones 7'
13,554 3rd
20 March 2020 Connacht A P–P
28 March 2020 Dragons H P–P
11 April 2020 Southern Kings A P–P
18 April 2020 Cardiff Blues H P–P
24 April 2020 Benetton A P–P
9 May 2020 Leinster H P–P
16 May 2020 Munster H P–P
30 May 2020 Ospreys A P–P
22 August 2020 Cardiff Blues H 32–12 Tries: Kennedy 4' m, St. Evans (2) 22' c, 42' m,
Lousi 48' c, McNicholl 55' m
Conversions: Halfpenny (2) 23', 50'
Penalties: Halfpenny 32'
0[b] 3rd
29 August 2020 Dragons A 41–20 Tries: Lee 18' c, St. Evans 26' c, Ja. Davies 31' m,
McNicholl 55' c, Rogers 66' m, Blacker 70' c
Conversions: D. Jones (4) 19', 27', 56', 71'
Penalty: D. Jones 60'
0[b] 3rd

Table

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Conference B

Pos Team Pld W D L F A PD BP Pts
2   Munster 15 10 0 5 426 255 +171 11 51
3   Scarlets 15 10 0 5 354 274 +80 7 47
4   Connacht 15 8 0 7 302 360 −58 8 40

Rugby Challenge Cup

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Pool stage

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Fixtures

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Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance Table
position
16 November 2019 London Irish H 20–16 Tries: Baldwin 28' c, S. Hughes 51' c
Conversions: D. Jones (2) 30', 52'
Penalties: D. Jones (2) 14', 40+1'
6,753 2nd
22 November 2019 Toulon A 16–17 Try: McNicholl 14' c
Conversion: Lamb 15'
Penalties: Lamb 47', D. Jones 67'
Drop Goal: D. Jones 69'
10,212 3rd
7 December 2019 Bayonne A 19–11 Try: R. Evans 28' c
Conversion: Halfpenny 29'
Penalties: Halfpenny (4) 11', 40+1', 50', 56'
5,957 2nd
14 December 2019 Bayonne H 46–5 Tries: Conbeer 5' m, Elias 47' c, Hardy (2) 50' c, 68' c,
O'Brien 56' c, Halfpenny 74' c
Conversions: Halfpenny (5) 49', 51', 57', 69', 75'
Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 16', 22'
6,257 2nd
11 January 2020 Toulon H 15–27 Tries: G. Davies 1' m, St. Evans 73' c
Conversions: Halfpenny 74'
Penalties: Halfpenny 10'
7,565 2nd
18 January 2020 London Irish A 33–14 Tries: Baldwin 21' c, D. Jones 28' c, Hardy 36' c,
Penalty Try 46', St. Evans 57' m
Conversions: Halfpenny (3) 22', 29', 37'
3,444 2nd

Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L F A PD BP Pts
1   Toulon 6 6 0 0 177 87 +90 4 28
2   Scarlets 6 4 0 2 149 90 +59 3 19
3   Bayonne 6 1 0 5 93 190 −97 3 7
4   London Irish 6 1 0 5 122 174 −52 3 7

Knockout stage

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Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
19 September 2020 Quarter-final Toulon A 6–11 Penalties: Halfpenny (2) 3', 29' 5,000

Statistics

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(+ in the Apps column denotes substitute appearance, positions listed are the ones they have started a game in during the season)

Pos. Name Pro 14 European Challenge Cup Total Discipline
Apps Try Con Pen Drop Pts Apps Try Con Pen Drop Pts Apps Try Con Pen Drop Pts    
FB   Leigh Halfpenny 4 0 8 9 0 40 5 1 10 9 0 52 9 1 18 18 0 92 0 0
FB/WG   Johnny McNicholl 9 4 0 0 0 20 5 1 0 0 0 5 14 5 0 0 0 25 0 0
WG/FB   Steffan Evans 16 9 0 0 0 45 7 2 0 0 0 10 23 11 0 0 0 55 0 0
WG   Ryan Conbeer 7+3 4 0 0 0 20 1 1 0 0 0 5 8+3 5 0 0 0 25 0 0
WG   Corey Baldwin 4+5 0 0 0 0 0 4+1 2 0 0 0 10 8+6 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
WG   Tom James 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WG   Morgan Williams 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0 1+2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WG   Tom Rogers 0+2 2 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+2 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
CE   Steffan Hughes 15 0 0 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 0 5 22 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
CE   Paul Asquith 7+5 2 0 0 0 10 1+3 0 0 0 0 0 8+8 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
CE   Ioan Nicholas 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CE   Kieron Fonotia 3+2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5+2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CE   Hadleigh Parkes 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CE   Johnny Williams 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CE   Tyler Morgan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FH/FB   Angus O'Brien 6+5 0 5 0 0 10 2+3 1 0 0 0 5 8+8 1 5 0 0 15 0 0
FH   Dan Jones 13 0 19 12 0 74 4+3 1 2 3 1 21 17+3 1 21 15 1 95 0 0
FH   Ryan Lamb 0+3 0 0 0 0 0 1+2 0 1 1 0 5 1+5 0 1 1 0 5 0 0
SH   Kieran Hardy 10+4 5 0 0 0 25 3+4 3 0 0 0 15 13+8 8 0 0 0 40 0 0
SH   Dane Blacker 0+7 1 0 0 0 5 1+2 0 0 0 0 0 1+9 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
SH   Jonathan Evans 1+3 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 1+4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SH   Gareth Davies 4 2 0 0 0 10 3 1 0 0 0 5 7 2 0 0 0 15 0 0
N8   Sione Kalamafoni 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N8/FL   Uzair Cassiem 12+2 1 0 0 0 5 5+1 0 0 0 0 0 17+3 1 0 0 0 5 1 0
N8/FL   Blade Thomson 3+1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 7+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FL   Josh Macleod 14+1 2 0 0 0 10 6 0 0 0 0 0 20+1 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
FL   Tom Phillips 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FL   Dan Davis 0+7 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+7 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
FL   Ed Kennedy 5 2 0 0 0 10 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 5+1 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
LK/FL   Jac Morgan 1+1 1 0 0 0 5 1+2 0 0 0 0 0 2+3 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
FL   Aaron Shingler 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FL   James Davies 1+1 1 0 0 0 5 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 1+2 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
LK/FL   Lewis Rawlins 10+2 0 0 0 0 0 2+2 0 0 0 0 0 12+4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
LK   Steve Cummins 6+3 0 0 0 0 0 1+1 0 0 0 0 0 7+4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LK   Josh Helps 0+5 1 0 0 0 5 0+2 0 0 0 0 0 0+7 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
LK   Juandre Kruger 2+1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LK   Tevita Ratuva 2+4 1 0 0 0 5 3+1 0 0 0 0 0 5+5 1 0 0 0 5 1 1
LK   Sam Lousi 6 1 0 0 0 5 4+1 0 0 0 0 0 10+1 1 0 0 0 5 0 1
LK   Jake Ball 4+1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 8+1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
LK   Danny Drake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HK   Marc Jones 3+4 1 0 0 0 5 0+4 0 0 0 0 0 3+8 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
HK   Taylor Davies 6+3 1 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 7+3 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
HK   Ryan Elias 2+4 0 0 0 0 0 4+2 1 0 0 0 5 6+5 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
HK   Ken Owens 4+1 1 0 0 0 5 2+1 0 0 0 0 0 6+2 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
HK   Ifan Phillips 0+2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PR   Samson Lee 11 1 0 0 0 5 4+1 0 0 0 0 0 15+1 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
PR   Rob Evans 4+3 1 0 0 0 5 2+3 1 0 0 0 5 6+6 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
PR   Phil Price 6+10 0 0 0 0 0 1+3 0 0 0 0 0 7+13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PR   Werner Kruger 4+8 0 0 0 0 0 2+3 0 0 0 0 0 6+11 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
PR   Dylan Evans 0+3 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0+4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PR   Javan Sebastian 0+6 1 0 0 0 5 1+3 0 0 0 0 0 1+9 1 0 0 0 5 0 0
PR   Wyn Jones 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Stats correct as of 19 September 2020

Transfers

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Date confirmed Pos. Name From Ref.
2 April 2019 LK   Sam Lousi   Hurricanes [10]
20 June 2019 SH   Dane Blacker Cardiff Blues [11]
LK   Danny Drake   North Harbour
PR   Alex Jeffries Ospreys
2 July 2019 WG   Tom James Cardiff Blues [12]
20 September 2019 LK   Juandré Kruger   Toulon [13]
FH   Ryan Lamb   La Rochelle
17 February 2020 HK   Ifan Phillips Ospreys (loan) [14]
25 February 2020 FB   Liam Williams   Saracens [15]
20 May 2020 CE   Tyler Morgan Dragons [16]
14 July 2020 N8   Sione Kalamafoni   Leicester Tigers [17]
CE   Johnny Williams   Newcastle Falcons [18]
25 August 2020 SH   Will Homer   Jersey Reds [19]
Date confirmed Pos. Name To Ref.
14 March 2019 PR   Scott Jenkins   Bedford Blues [20]
24 March 2019 LK   Tom Price   Exeter Chiefs [21]
12 April 2019 SH   Declan Smith Released [22]
20 May 2019 FL   Will Boyde Cardiff Blues [23]
16 June 2019 LK   David Bulbring   Kubota Spears [24]
21 June 2019 SH   Sam Hidalgo-Clyne   Racing 92 [25]
3 July 2019 PR   Nicky Thomas   Bristol Bears [26]
9 July 2019 FB   Clayton Blommetjies   Free State Cheetahs [27]
29 November 2019 LK   Juandré Kruger   Bulls [28]
10 December 2019 PR   Rhys Fawcett Ospreys (loan) [29]
  Simon Gardiner
30 January 2020 FB   Tomi Lewis   Ampthill (loan) [30]
2 March 2020 CE   Corey Baldwin   Exeter Chiefs [31]
12 May 2020 WG   Tom James Retired [32]
13 May 2020 PR   Rhys Fawcett Released [33]
  Simon Gardiner
FB   Morgan Williams
CE   Kieron Fonotia   Tasman [34]
SH   Jonathan Evans Retired [35]
CE   Hadleigh Parkes   Panasonic Wild Knights [36]
19 August 2020 LK   Danny Drake   Gloucester Rugby (loan) [37]
21 August 2020 PR   Dylan Evans   Glasgow Warriors (loan) [38]
27 August 2020 SR   Steve Cummins   Section Paloise [39]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Excluding the matches against Cardiff Blues and Dragons that were played behind closed doors
  2. ^ a b The matches against Cardiff Blues and Dragons will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Brad Mooar: Scarlets name Crusaders assistant as next head coach". BBC Sport. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Glenn Delaney: New Zealander named as Scarlets defence coach". BBC Sport. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Scarlets appoint Richard Whiffin to complete new-look coaching team". scarlets.co.uk. Scarlets Regional. 28 May 2019. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  4. ^ Rees, Paul (9 July 2018). "Wayne Pivac to succeed Gatland as new Wales coach after the World Cup". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Brad Mooar confirmed for coaching role with All Blacks". Scarlets. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Guinness PRO14 Season Suspended". Pro14. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Guinness PRO14 set target date of August 22 to return to action". Scarlets. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Rugby: Glenn Delaney appointed Scarlets head coach". NZ Herald. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Pro14 restart: 2019-20 season resumes with derby weekends". BBC.co.uk. BBC Sport. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Scarlets: Sam Lousi joins Welsh region from Hurricanes". BBC Sport. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Danny Drake: New Zealand lock among three new players at Scarlets". BBC Sport. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Tom James: Ex-Wales wing signs for Scarlets". BBC Sport. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Scarlets strengthen squad with signings of Juandre Kruger and Ryan Lamb as World Cup cover". scarlets.co.uk. Scarlets Regional. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Scarlets sign hooker Ifan Phillips on short-term loan deal". Scarlets. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Liam Williams: Scarlets confirm early return of Wales full-back from Saracens". BBC Sport. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Liam Williams: Scarlets sign Wales international Tyler Morgan". Scarlets. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Liam Williams: Scarlets add Tongan back-rower Sione Kalamfoni to squad". Scarlets. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Liam Williams: Scarlets sign centre Johnny Williams from Falcons". Scarlets. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Scarlets sign scrum-half Will Homer". Scarlets. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Atkinson & Jenkins sign up". Bedford Blues. 14 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  21. ^ "Tom Price: Exeter Chiefs sign Scarlets lock for 2019-20". BBC Sport. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  22. ^ "Scarlets to release back-rower Will Boyde at end of season". BBC Sport. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  23. ^ "Flanker Will Boyde joins Cardiff Blues following Scarlets exit". BBC Sport. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  24. ^ Thomas, Simon (16 June 2019). "The Welsh-qualified title-winner who is heading to Japan". Wales Online. Media Wales. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  25. ^ "Sam Hidalgo-Clyne: Scotland scrum-half joins Racing 92 as World Cup cover". BBC Sport. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  26. ^ "Nicky Thomas joins on one-year deal". Bristol Bears. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  27. ^ "Blommetjies back at Cheetahs". Sport24. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Diolch yn fawr!!! Thank you @scarlets_rugby it's been an absolute pleasure. Once a scarlet always a scarlet!!!". Twitter. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  29. ^ "Scarlets loan props to Ospreys to ease injury crisis". BBC Sport. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Lewis joins Ampthill from Scarlets!". Ampthill RUFC. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Baldwin seals switch to the Chiefs". Exeter Chiefs. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Tom James to retire from professional rugby". Scarlets. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  33. ^ "Scarlets confirm summer departures". Scarlets. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Tasman sign Crusaders and Blues aces Sevu Reece and Mark Telea". Stuff.nz. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Top Welsh rugby player forced to leave game and start office job at 28 after receiving shock news". Wales Online. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Hadleigh Parkes pays tribute to Scarlets supporters as he confirms Japan move". Scarlets. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  37. ^ "Danny Drake and Charlie Beckett join Gloucester Rugby on short-term deals". Gloucester. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  38. ^ "Team named for 1872 Cup decider". Glasgow. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  39. ^ "Steve Cummins joins French side Pau". Scarlets. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.