TRANSFER | Scarlets confirm Hadleigh Parkes as one of eight departures
Rugby NewsWednesday, 13 May 2020 at 16:31
The players who will be leaving the Scarlets are Hadleigh Parkes, Kieron Fonotia, Corey Baldwin, Jonathan Evans, Morgan Williams, Simon Gardiner, Rhys Fawcett and Tom James, who is retiring from professional rugby.
Parkes, who is in line to join Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan arrived at Parc y Scarlets in October 2014 from Auckland and has gone on to play 122 matches in a Scarlets jersey over six seasons, scoring 13 tries.
He was Scarlets player of the season in 2015-16 after playing every minute of every Guinness PRO12 match and a key member of the Scarlets title-winning squad of 2017.
His ultra-consistent performances at the heart of the Scarlets three-quarter line earned him a Wales Test call-up that year and a place in Warren Gatland’s World Cup squad in 2019.
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Head coach Brad Mooar will also return to New Zealand to link up with All Blacks before the region return to training ahead of any possible resumption of the 2019-20 season.
All the departures are occurring before any training resumes.
Ranked! The 5 worst Premiership signings of the 2019/20 season
Oh dear, oh dear. However much we will them on, sometimes deals just don’t turn out the way we hoped – or anything like it, as these disasters demonstrate.
5. Niki Goneva (Harlequins)
Described by the club as ‘a real coup’ and 'deadly finisher' when the winger joined from relegated Newcastle Falcons last summer. However, it appears that the 35-year-old, who has been a prolific try scorer throughout his career, is finally starting to slow down. He didn't cross the whitewash in his six Premiership outings for Quins this season.
4. Mark Wilson - Sale Sharks
This loan move seemed to make perfect sense, but due to a number of factors it hasn't really worked out. Undergoing knee surgery immediately following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Sharks fans didn't see him debut until a 30 minute cameo against Saracens in early February. Recalled by Eddie Jones for the Six Nations after making just one start for Sale, his loan expires on June 30. After that date, he is due to return to Newcastle and can no longer play for Sale if the season were to be extended into July.
3. Owen Franks - Northampton Saints
One of only 20 players to win the Rugby World Cup twice, the prop arrived at Franklin's Gardens with a degree of expectation on his shoulders. It was hoped he'd bring his impressive strength and scrummaging technique to the pack at Franklin’s Gardens - but he's made just four starts. Saints fans will be hoping for much more in the second half of the season.
2. Tyrese Johnson-Fisher - Bristol Bears
More disappointing than bad. The speedster, who went viral as a youngster for his four tries at Twickenham in the NatWest Schools Cup, joined Bristol last summer but left the Premiership side with immediate effect in February. He's since revealed he's taken the decision to pursue other opportunities outside of professional rugby.
1. Sean O'Brien - London Irish
London Irish again wasting money. They parted with £450,000 per season to land the experienced Ireland international. Due to a hip injury, the back-rower made just one appearance in a 39-0 defeat against Sale Sharks before the league was suspended. Sometimes signing even the best players doesn't work out.
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