'We didn't have a lot of money' - Pivac admits Scarlets nearly didn't sign 'languishing' Tadhg Beirne

Wayne Pivac has admitted that the Scarlets nearly didn’t sign forward Tadhg Beirne, who has gone from being a Leinster cast-off to becoming one of the most outstanding forwards in European Rugby this season.

Beirne has had a seminal season with the Welsh Region, having just two years after effectively being left on rugby’s scrapheap.

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Reflecting on Beirne’s contribution to the Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said; “He’s been fantastic. For a player that was sitting there languishing, looking like he didn’t have a contract, and he was the last position for us to do.

“We didn’t have a lot of money and had a good look around to see what was available. We did a bit of research and we took Tadhg on board. He’s repaid us tenfold, he’s been superb!”

“He’s played second row, 6, 8, he’d even play on the wing if you wanted him to. He’s a great team man. He’s great off the field and works very hard at his game. He’s contributed really well.

“He’s been superb, I can’t say enough about him. He’s done very well.”

Beirne has enjoyed a remarkable week.

On Friday night the Dublin born loose forward featured in Scarlets’ emphatic Guinness PRO14 semi-final victory over Glasgow Warriors to make their way to a second consecutive final, Saturday night he was named Fans’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season as well as receiving the award for Try of the Season at the region’s end of season celebrations.

Monday saw his try against Bath in round 5 of the European Rugby Champions Cup campaign shortlisted for try of the season by EPCR.

Wednesday saw his long-awaited call-up to the Ireland squad; he will tour with Joe Schmidt’s 32-man squad to Australia this summer.

The week, and his tenure at Scarlets, will draw to a climatic finish on Saturday evening as he lines up against his former side Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

1⃣4⃣ – Tadhg Beirne won 14 turnovers in total in the @ChampionsCup pool stage, three more than any other player, while he also missed just one of 75 attempted tackles. Machine. pic.twitter.com/0EiRv9hdGA

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) January 24, 2018