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Payne to join Scarlets as coaching reshuffle continues
By Jon Newcombe
Former Ireland centre Jared Payne is set to join Scarlets as attack coach as part of a coaching reshuffle at the region.
Payne, 37, spent 11 years with Ulster as a player and a coach before joining Clermont Auvergne as defence coach last summer.
In January, he stepped up to become interim head coach for one match when Jonno Gibbes was sacked but reverted back to his original role when Christophe Urios was appointed a matter of days later.
New Zealand-born Payne, who won 20 caps for Ireland and toured his native country as a British & Irish Lion in 2017, will replace Lee Blackett at Parc y Scarlets.
Gareth Williams remains as defence coach and Payne will take responsibility for the attack.
Blackett made a positive impact at the Scarlets since joining the Welsh region on a short-term deal back in November following Wasps’ demise.
But according to a report in The Rugby Paper, the former Wasps head coach has landed a new job at Bath following the departure of attack coach Joe Maddock.
Scarlets will also have a new forwards coach for next season having snapped up the signature of South Africa World Cup-winning former lock Albert van den Berg.
Van den Berg is one of the most highly-rated forward coaches in South Africa and has decided to move on from troubled URC outfit the Lions.
The 49-year-old, who won 51 Springbok caps including three in the triumphant 2007 World Cup campaign, will replace former All Blacks prop Ben Franks who is believed to be heading home to New Zealand.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
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).
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