2023–24 Scarlets season

The 2023–24 season is the 20th season in the history of the Scarlets, a Welsh regional rugby union side based in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. In this season, they are competing in the United Rugby Championship^[1] and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Scarlets

2023–24 season
Head coach	Dwayne Peel
Chairman	Simon Muderack
United Rugby Championship	13th (Welsh Shield: 2nd)
Challenge Cup	Pool stage, 6th
Top try scorer	League: Gareth Davies (7) All: Gareth Davies (7)
Top points scorer	League: Ioan Lloyd (67) All: Ioan Lloyd (91)
Highest home attendance	11,282 vs Ospreys (URC, 26 December 2023)
Lowest home attendance	5,830 vs Black Lion (Challenge Cup, 15 December 2023)
Average home attendance	6,935
← 2022–23 2024–25 →

Friendlies

On 12 June 2023, the Scarlets announced that they would face the Barbarians in a pre-season friendly. The game would be marked as the Phil Bennett Memorial Game and the culmination of the 150-year anniversary celebration since Llanelli RFC were founded.^[2] Former Scarlets players Aaron Shingler and Rob Evans were named as part of the Barbarians squad.^[3][4] The Scarlets won the game 33–19 despite Evans scoring for the Barbarians in the 46th minute.^[5]

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance
16 September 2023	Barbarians	H	33–19	Tries: Plumtree 25' m, Sh. Evans 33' c, McNicholl 40' c, Hughes 42' c, James 70' c Conversions: Lloyd (3) 33', 40', 70', D. Jones 42'	5,906
29 September 2023	Cardiff	A	12–21	Tries: Morgan 36' m, Hardy 76' c Conversions: Titcombe 76'	4,289
6 October 2023	Dragons	H	24–31	Tries: Plumtree 3' c, Hardy 35' m, James 51' m, Lewis 76' c Conversions: Lloyd 3', Titcombe 76'
10 February 2024	Exeter Chiefs	A	19–57	Tries: Morgan 19' c, Conbeer 25' m, S. Williams 53' c Conversions: Titcombe 19', 53'	8,623

United Rugby Championship

Main article: 2023–24 United Rugby Championship

Fixtures

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance	Table position
22 October 2023	Bulls	A	21–63	Tries: McNicholl 30' c, Plumtree (2) 38' c, 68' c Conversions: Lloyd (3) 31', 39', 68'	3,359	16th
28 October 2023	Stormers	A	7–52	Tries: Hardy 16' c Conversions: Lloyd 17'	4,141	16th
4 November 2023	Cardiff	H	31–25	Tries: Craig 19' c, McNicholl 37' c, G. Davies 52' c, Fifita 64' c Conversions: Lloyd (4) 20', 38', 54', 65' Penalties: Lloyd 73'	6,325	12th
11 November 2023	Lions	H	23–24	Tries: Rogers 17' c, Elias 68' c Conversions: Lloyd (2) 18', 69' Penalties: Lloyd (3) 3', 47', 54'	6,202	14th
18 November 2023	Leinster	A	5–54	Tries: J. Williams 26' m	15,434	15th
25 November 2023	Ospreys	A	9–31	Penalties: Lloyd (3) 4', 12', 26'	8,090	16th
2 December 2023	Cardiff	A	29–23	Tries: G. Davies (2) 12' c, 39' c, Craig 23' m, St. Evans 61' m, McNicholl 70' Conversions: Lloyd (2) 13', 40'	8,282	13th
26 December 2023	Ospreys	H	11–25	Tries: G. Davies 41' m Penalties: Lloyd (2) 68', 80'	11,282	14th
1 January 2024	Dragons	A	12–13	Tries: Rogers 20' c, Lloyd 68' m Conversions: Costelow 21'	7,617	13th
16 February 2024	Munster	H	7–42	Tries: Roberts 49' c Conversions: Titcombe 50'	7,039	14th
2 March 2024	Connacht	A	10–26	Tries: E. Jones 26' c Conversions: D. Jones 27' Penalties: D. Jones 46'	5,241	14th
23 March 2024	Benetton	H	16–13	Tries: Swart 83' c Conversions: Costelow 86' Penalties: Costelow (3) 2', 51', 55'	6,482	13th
30 March 2024	Glasgow Warriors	H	3–45	Penalties: Lloyd 16'	6,499	14th
20 April 2024	Edinburgh	A	18–43	Tries: Rogers 5' c, G. Davies 27' m Conversions: Costelow 6' Penalties: Costelow (2) 21', 56'	6,887	14th
26 April 2024	Sharks	H	27–32	Tries: Elias 18' c, Mathias 51' c, Nicholas 76' c Conversions: Costelow (3) 19', 52', 76' Penalities: Costelow (2) 2', 10'	6,820	14th
11 May 2024	Ulster	H	20–31	Tries: Tuipulotu 60' c, Lewis 66' c Conversions: Costelow (2) 61', 67' Penalities: Costelow (2) 10', 26'	6,881	14th
17 May 2024	Zebre	A	32–18	Tries: Elias 15' m, G. Davies (2) 20' c, 31' c, Lewis 42' c Conversions: Lloyd (3) 21', 32', 43' Penalities: Costelow (2) 68', 72'	2,500	14th
1 June 2024	Dragons	H[a]	32–15	Tries: Mathias 28' c, Davis 37' c, Lewis (2) 43' c, 53' m Conversions: Costelow (2) 29', 44', Lloyd 39' Penalities: Costelow (2) 14', 73'	20,167	13th

1. Although the fixture is designated as a Home game, the match will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium as part of the Judgement Day event.^[6]

Tables

Overall

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	PD	BP	Pts
12	Cardiff	18	4	1	13	389	414	-25	14	32
13	Scarlets	18	5	0	13	313	575	-262	7	27
14	Sharks	18	4	0	14	343	431	-88	9	25

Welsh Shield

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	PD	BP	Pts
1	Ospreys	6	5	0	1	147	103	+44	4	24
2	Scarlets	6	3	0	3	124	132	-8	4	16
3	Cardiff	6	2	0	4	169	150	+19	6	14
4	Dragons	6	2	0	4	91	146	-55	1	9

European Rugby Challenge Cup

Main article: 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup

Fixtures

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance	Table position
9 December 2023	Castres	A	16–34	Tries: Lloyd 50' c Conversions: Lloyd 51' Penalties: Lloyd (3) 12', 16', 35'	8,311	6th
15 December 2023	Black Lion	H	7–23	Tries: Fifita 3' c Conversions: Lloyd 4'	5,830	6th
13 January 2024	Clermont Auvergne	A	17–38	Tries: St. Evans 69' c, Hardy 79' c Conversions: Lloyd (2) 70', 79' Penalties: Costelow 32'	15,552	6th
19 January 2024	Edinburgh	H	19–31	Tries: Roberts 14' m, Conbeer 79' c, Penalty Try 80' Conversions: Lloyd 79'	5,993	6th

Table

2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts	Qualification
1	Gloucester (2)	4	4	0	0	99	52	+47	9	7	1	0	17	Qualifies for a home Round of 16
2	Clermont (4)	4	3	0	1	122	66	+56	17	7	3	0	15
3	Edinburgh (8)	4	2	0	2	103	92	+11	15	12	2	1	11	Qualifies for a home Round of 16 as second 3rd best
4	Castres (15)	4	2	0	2	88	91	−3	13	10	2	0	10	Qualifies for Round of 16
5	Black Lion	4	1	0	3	42	86	−44	3	10	0	1	5
6	Scarlets	4	0	0	4	59	126	−67	7	18	0	0	0

Source: EPCR

Statistics

(+ in the Apps column denotes substitute appearance, positions listed are the ones they have started a game in during the season)

Pos.	Name	United Rugby Championship						European Challenge Cup						Total						Discipline
		Apps	Try	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts	Apps	Try	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts	Apps	Try	Con	Pen	Drop	Pts
FB	Johnny McNicholl	7	3	0	0	0	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	3	0	0	0	15	0	0
FB	Ioan Nicholas	10+6	1	0	0	0	5	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	11+9	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
WG	Ryan Conbeer	7+4	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	5	10+4	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
WG	Steff Evans	6+2	1	0	0	0	5	4	1	0	0	0	5	10+2	2	0	0	0	10	1	0
WG	Tomi Lewis	10	4	0	0	0	20	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	10+1	4	0	0	0	20	0	0
WG/FB	Tom Rogers	12	3	0	0	0	15	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	15	1	0
CE	Jonathan Davies	5+2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	7+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Eddie James	11+2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	12+2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
CE	Macs Page	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CE	Joe Roberts	8	1	0	0	0	5	2	1	0	0	0	5	10	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
CE	Johnny Williams	12	1	0	0	0	5	3	0	0	0	0	0	15	1	0	0	0	5	1	1
CE	Scott Williams	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
FH	Sam Costelow	7	0	10	13	0	59	1	0	0	1	0	3	8	0	10	14	0	62	0	0
FH	Dan Jones	2+2	0	1	1	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	2+2	0	1	1	0	5	0	0
FH/CE	Ioan Lloyd	11+2	1	16	10	0	67	4	1	5	3	0	24	15+2	2	21	13	0	91	0	0
FH	Charlie Titcombe	1+4	0	1	0	0	2	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	1+7	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
SH	Gareth Davies	12	7	0	0	0	35	1+1	0	0	0	0	0	13+1	7	0	0	0	35	1	0
SH	Kieran Hardy	4+9	1	0	0	0	5	2+1	1	0	0	0	5	6+10	2	0	0	0	10	1	0
SH	Archie Hughes	1+5	0	0	0	0	0	1+2	0	0	0	0	0	2+7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
SH	Efan Jones	1+1	1	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	1+1	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
N8	Carwyn Tuipulotu	9+6	1	0	0	0	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	10+6	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
N8	Ben Williams	4+6	0	0	0	0	0	3+1	0	0	0	0	0	7+7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FL	Dan Davis	12	1	0	0	0	5	2	0	0	0	0	0	14	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
FL	Teddy Leatherbarrow	7+2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	9+2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
FL	Josh Macleod	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
FL	Iwan Shenton	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FL	Jarrod Taylor	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Alex Craig	16	2	0	0	0	10	3	0	0	0	0	0	19	2	0	0	0	10	1	0
LK	Vaea Fifita	11	1	0	0	0	5	3	1	0	0	0	5	14	2	0	0	0	10	0	0
LK	Morgan Jones	5+10	0	0	0	0	0	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	6+13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Sam Lousi	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
LK	Taine Plumtree	8	2	0	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	2	0	0	0	10	1	0
LK	Jac Price	7+4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	11+4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
LK	Ed Scragg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Ryan Elias	11+1	3	0	0	0	15	3	0	0	0	0	0	14+1	3	0	0	0	15	0	0
HK/FL	Shaun Evans	6+9	0	0	0	0	0	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	7+12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Ken Owens	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Eduan Swart	1+2	1	0	0	0	5	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	1+5	1	0	0	0	5	0	0
HK	Harry Thomas	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
HK	Isaac Young	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Joe Jones	0+5	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2+5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Wyn Jones	4+13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4+13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Samson Lee	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Kemsley Mathias	13+1	2	0	0	0	10	1+1	0	0	0	0	0	14+2	2	0	0	0	10	1	0
PR	Harri O'Connor	9+4	0	0	0	0	0	1+3	0	0	0	0	0	10+7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
PR	Sam O'Connor	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0+2	0	0	0	0	0	0+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PR	Steffan Thomas	1+6	0	0	0	0	0	3+1	0	0	0	0	0	4+7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
PR	Sam Wainwright	9+4	0	0	0	0	0	1+1	0	0	0	0	0	10+5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Stats correct as of match played 1 June 2024

Transfers

In

Date confirmed	Pos.	Name	From	Ref.
18 April 2023	FH	Ioan Lloyd	Bristol Bears	[7]
25 April 2023	WG	Tomi Lewis	Jersey Reds	[8]
15 June 2023	FL	Teddy Leatherbarrow	Loughborough University	[9]
	FH	Charlie Titcombe
21 June 2023	LK	Alex Craig	Gloucester	[10]
23 June 2023	SH	Efan Jones	RGC 1404	[11]
27 June 2023	LK	Taine Plumtree	Blues	[12]
28 June 2023	LK	Ed Scragg	London Irish	[13]
24 November 2023	PR	Joe Jones	Sale Sharks	[14]
5 December 2023	HK	Eduan Swart	Pumas	[15]
13 February 2024	FL	Jarrod Taylor	Stormers	[16]

Out

Date confirmed	Pos.	Name	To	Ref.
12 February 2023	N8	Sione Kalamafoni	Vannes	[17]
21 February 2023	PR	Javan Sebastian	Edinburgh	[18]
13 April 2023	SH	Dane Blacker	Dragons	[19]
21 April 2023	LK	Tom Price	Released	[20]
	LK	Lewis Rawlins
	FL	Aaron Shingler	Retired
3 May 2023	WG	Corey Baldwin	Dragons	[21]
28 May 2023	FL	Iestyn Rees	Ampthill	[22]
6 June 2023	LK	Griff Evans		[23]
	SH	Harri Williams
15 June 2023	HK	Dafydd Hughes	Jersey Reds[a]	[25]
7 July 2023	PR	Phil Price	Bridgend Ravens	[26]
12 July 2023	FH	Rhys Patchell	Highlanders	[27]
23 July 2023	PR	WillGriff John	Racing 92	[28]
24 July 2023	HK	Taylor Davies	Llandovery	[29]
5 November 2023	FB	Leigh Halfpenny	Crusaders	[30]
14 December 2023	PR	Samson Lee	Retired	[31]
23 February 2024	FL	Iwan Shenton	Ampthill (loan)	[32]
1 March 2024	FB	Johnny McNicholl	Crusaders	[33]
17 April 2024	HK	Ken Owens	Retired	[34]

1. On 27 October 2023, Cardiff Rugby announced that they had signed Hughes after Jersey Reds had gone into administration in August 2023.^[24]