Scarlets

History of the Scarlets

The Scarlets rugby side was initially formed as Llanelli Scarlets in 2003, when the structure of Welsh Rugby changed. Although many professional sides were forced to merge with each other as part of the new plans, Llanelli RFC retained standalone status as part of the Llanelli Scarlets.

However, prior to the 2008-09 season, the team’s name was changed from Llanelli Scarlets to ‘the Scarlets’. Today, the team largely represents the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Although the team does still have a presence in North Wales, this has largely diminished over the years and the team now plays all of its matches in Carmarthenshire. 

On the pitch, the Llanelli Scarlets side was immediately successful. In their inaugural season, they reached the last eight of the European Rugby Champions Cup and won the Celtic League (now the United Rugby Championship). However, following a number of injuries and retirements at the end of the season, the fortunes of the Scarlets rugby team changed. For several years, they struggled in the Pro14 and they failed to qualify from their group in the European Rugby Champions Cup. 

Added to this, the club also suffered from financial pressures and almost went out of business in 2006. However, after securing funding and moving to a new stadium, the fortunes of the team changed. 

In 2013, they reached the semi-final stage of the Pro14 and they finally won the tournament for the second time in 2017. The year after, they reached the final once again, but they were beaten 40-32 by Leinster. Sadly, they have not returned to the final since. 

Throughout the history of the Scarlets rugby team, the side has primarily played in the European Rugby Champions Cup. However, although the team has regularly reached the knockout stages of the competition, they've never gone beyond the semi-final stage.

The success of the Scarlets rugby side over the years has meant that many top-class players have worn the team's famous red jersey. In fact, in a comparatively short history, 10 different players have been selected for British and Irish Lions touring squads while representing the Scarlets. They include Jonathan Davies, George North and Simon Easterby. 

Think the Scarlets rugby team can find their form and claim their first piece of major silverware since 2017? Find out with RugbyPass.