All change at Scarlets

Llanelli Scarlets could be on the verge of making two major southern hemisphere signings – despite sacking their rugby director Phil Davies.

All Blacks prop Greg Somerville and Australia number eight David Lyons are thought to be the products of a scouting mission conducted only last week by Davies and Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher after they travelled Down Under.

The first arrival looks set to be confirmed early next week, although Davies is now no longer in charge.

He has paid the price for a dismal season that has seen Llanelli lose all six of their Heineken Cup pool games, including a humbling 41-0 home defeat against French side Clermont Auvergne.

The Scarlets also failed to make any impact in either the Magners League or EDF Energy Cup, and Davies was relieved of his duties following a meeting with Llanelli chairman Huw Evans yesterday.

It could now pave the way for Gareth Jenkins to make a shock Stradey Park return.

It is understood former Scarlets boss Jenkins might be lined up for a new post of elite performance director at the Welsh region.

Jenkins left Llanelli to become Wales coach in April 2006, but his reign with the national team ended last autumn after a damaging failure to progress beyond the World Cup pool stage.

Paul Moriarty, supported by his fellow former Wales internationals Robert Jones and Wayne Proctor – all members of Davies’ support staff – have been placed in interim charge.

The Scarlets have two Magners League games remaining this term, both at Stradey Park against Munster on Saturday and Edinburgh the following weekend.

A statement released by the Scarlets board read: “The decision follows a review of the Scarlets’ rugby performance this season, which includes looking at the structure of the rugby playing side of the business ahead of the region’s move to a new stadium at the end of this year.

“The board would like to make it clear that this has been a difficult decision to make and one that is disappointing for all parties concerned.”

Jenkins’ possible role would be similar to one recently taken up by New Zealander Andrew Hore at the Ospreys.

After Wales’ World Cup hopes crashed on the back of defeat against Fiji in Nantes, Jenkins was dismissed and replaced by New Zealander Warren Gatland, who then masterminded a second RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam for Wales in four seasons.

During Jenkins’ long reign as Llanelli coach, the Scarlets reached two Heineken semi-finals, in addition to enjoying regular domestic league and cup success.