Davies to leave Scarlets at end of season

Jonathan Davies had two stints with Scarlets

Wales centre Jonathan Davies has announced he is leaving Scarlets at the end of the season.

Davies, 36, made his Scarlets debut in 2006 and has played 209 times for the Welsh side, scoring 55 tries.

He says he hopes for one final opportunity with another club before retirement.

“I am going to miss this place and group," Davies told the Scrum V podcast.

"I feel lucky and extremely privileged to have played for this club for so long. I have some great memories over the years.

"It has been incredible to play for a team I supported since I was young, I have enjoyed every minute, but everything comes to an end."

Davies says he is not quitting rugby and has been awarded a testimonial year by Scarlets, which starts in June.

“I am looking forward to being able to spend more time at home with the family," said Davies.

"I would love to see if there is another opportunity to play elsewhere, whether that be abroad or not. I still enjoy coming to train and playing. I am always told you are a long time retired."

Glittering career

Affectionately known as 'Foxy', Davies played his junior club rugby for St Clears and Whitland before coming through the Scarlets academy and going on to become one of the leading centres in world rugby.

He played six Tests on two tours with the British and Irish Lions, in 2013 in Australia and New Zealand in 2017, and was named player of the series in the 1-1 draw against the All Blacks.

Davies has played 96 Tests for Wales, captaining his nation on four occasions.

He featured in two Grand Slam-winning sides, enjoyed a further two Six Nations Championship wins and played in two World Cups.

The centre has had two stints with Scarlets, either side of a two-year spell at Clermont Auvergne in 2014-2016.

Davies was a key figure as Scarlets won the Pro12 title in the 2016-17 season.

“There was a span of five or six games in 2017 when I never enjoyed rugby as much as I did at that moment," he said.

"The rugby we played was so much fun and natural. It felt as if we were operating at our highest level possible and the talent in that group was so high."

Scarlets beat Munster in the 2017 Pro12 final, with Davies sharing the moment with his brother James, who retired in April 2022 because of concussion and was later given a recruitment and retention role with the region.

“Playing alongside my brother was another special moment and winning a trophy in the same side as him is something I am very proud of," said Davies.

Scarlets' last match in Llanelli this season is against Ulster on Saturday.

There will be a number of high-profile departures, with ex-Wales captain Ken Owens having announced his retirement last month.

Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy is joining Ospreys next season and centre Scott Williams and prop Wyn Jones are also in line to leave.

'Destined for big things'

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel was playing when Davies made his debut against Northampton 18 years ago.

"There was a lot of talk of this kid coming through from Bancyfelin and when he turned up to training he was a monster," said Peel.

"It was a shock because of how big he was physically, he was more developed than most of the senior team.

"He was strong and fast and you could see straightaway he had something special. He has a set of skills he has mastered.

"He was always destined for big things, but he has also worked tirelessly on his game to become the best number 13 in the world and is an example to any young player who aspires to make it as a professional.

“I am sure the next few weeks will be an emotional time for him, saying his farewells. He has been a big part of this club for a long time.”