1
'Delighted' Blackett names his new club 17 days after Wasps' demise
By Liam Heagney
Ex-Wasps boss Lee Blackett has been named as Dwyane Peel’s new assistant coach at Scarlets 17 days after his Gallagher Premiership club fell into administration with the loss of 167 player and staff jobs. Numerous high-profile names have so far found work elsewhere following the initial shock of being made redundant and former head coach Blackett has become the latest name on that list with his move to west Wales to fill a vacancy that has existed for quite some time.
A statement read: “Scarlets can confirm that Lee Blackett, formerly the head coach of Wasps, will be taking up the role of backs and skills coach as part of Dwayne Peel’s coaching set-up. He will fill the vacant role left by Dai Flanagan with immediate effect to the end of the current season.
“Blackett’s first game with the Scarlets will be the round eight URC clash against the Stormers in Cape Town on November 25.”
Scarlets head coach Peel said: “I am really pleased to welcome Lee to the team here at Parc y Scarlets. He is a highly respected backs and attack coach who did a great job in a similar role with Wasps when he took over from Stephen Jones in 2015. During his time in that role, Wasps reached the 2017 Premiership final and as head coach, Lee led them to the 2020 final.”
Blackett added: “When Dwayne reached out to me for a discussion about the backs and skills coach role at the Scarlets, I was delighted. Our rugby philosophies are well aligned and I am very excited to play a part in what Dwayne is developing at the Scarlets. It’s also great to be joining a team that has such a unique place in its community and an amazing club history spanning 150 years.”
Scarlets general manager Jon Daniels said: “We have taken our time to fill the role vacated by Dai Flanagan as we wanted to make sure we got the best available person and coach. In Lee, we feel we have someone who ticks both boxes. We look forward to welcoming Lee to Parc y Scarlets and I know he is excited to get stuck into preparations for an exciting next phase of URC and European fixtures.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to comments