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Pro12: Sean Holley appointed to Scarlets role

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments14

Sean Holley

Ex-Ospreys boss Sean Holley is to help coach the Scarlets' while Mark Jones assists Wales in the 2013 Six Nations.

after nine years' involvement.

Since then he has worked as a media pundit and coaching consultant and recently revealed he had turned down

"We are fortunate... to have secured the services of someone of Sean's capability," said Scarlets boss Simon Easterby.

"He will also bring a fresh new perspective to our team environment which will be healthy for our coaching group and our squad of players.

"We look forward to his input; he will challenge and support our players which will add to the energy in our group and I know he will put his all into this role with us.

"With the level of experience and professionalism Sean has, he will hit the ground running with the knowledge he has of our region, players and the game in Wales."

Holley said: "It's a close-knit group at Parc Y Scarlets. As a team, the Scarlets are destined to achieve success with the number of exciting players they have with real talent and passion for the shirt they wear."

He became assistant to current London Welsh boss Lyn Jones at the Ospreys when they were launched in 2003.

During that time Holley helped the Ospreys wing Magners League titles in 2004-05 and 2006-07, 2009-10 while they were Heineken Cup quarter finalists three years in a row in 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10.

Following Jones' May 2008 exit, Holley took charge with ex-Wales captain John Humphreys as his assistant for the 2008-09 season.

Current Scotland interim coach Scott Johnson then joined in 2009 to head a three-man coaching team including Holley and they led the side to the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in 2010, where they lost 29-28 to Biarritz.

That disappointment spurred them on to winning the 2010 Magners League, taking the title in the competition's inaugural play-off final against Leinster in Dublin.

However, the Ospreys have not moved beyond the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in subsequent seasons.

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14 comments

  • Comment posted by U11743023, at 14:06 18 Jan 2013

    first it was Robin Mc Bryde, then Robert Howley, followed by Mark jones!
    Can someone explain to me how it is that all these ex players get to coach at the top level with little or no experience?
    Holley is going as backs coach to the Scarlets...........is someone really having a laugh?

  • Comment posted by U15318236, at 12:59 18 Jan 2013

    First, thinks this shows the lack of coaches in the welsh set-up... its not that long ago Mark jones was playing, now hes involed in the welsh set-up.. can someone explain to me where(other than the scarlets) he coached....I'd like to see his C.V, on how he got the job....Now Holley gone to fill Mark jones role at the scarlets... haha. could'nt make it up, only in wales

  • Comment posted by U15579620, at 12:04 18 Jan 2013

    Hang on a mo'. The WRU introduces a coach from a region that that had no success in europe and SH goes to the Sacrlets (I am a Scarlets fan by the way). Surely the invite was the wrong way round. MJ needs to concentrate on the region and the region alone.

  • Comment posted by Georgey1, at 14:39 18 Jan 2013

    While I am sure Mark Jones will develop into a very good coach he has limited coaching experience at any level, let alone international. Sean Holley and Gruff Rees at the Ospreys have both come through the WRU Coach Education prog and have far greater regional coaching experience. Regarding Welsh coaches, it seems unless you played international rugby you will never have a chance to coach Wales

  • Comment posted by U15582196, at 20:17 19 Jan 2013

    mr holley your input is rubbing off already just been nilled by cleremont

  • Comment posted by U15582196, at 20:07 19 Jan 2013

    mr holley......its rubbing off already just been stuffed and nilled,even as a pundit i nodded off just go away please..............

  • Comment posted by Swansea125, at 17:16 19 Jan 2013

    Mr Holley talks a good game,but could not coach a troop of boy scouts to light a fire,as has been said previously players with virtually no experience of coaching are being given ' jobs for the boys coaching roles ' in Wales.i'm afraid in appointing mr Holley the Scarlet's have taken a very backward step.

  • Comment posted by U11743023, at 14:21 19 Jan 2013

    @10
    Aye and proud of it too.
    In the rest of the UK only the successful succeed.

  • Comment posted by U15581647, at 13:06 19 Jan 2013

    Is Wales the only country that rewards failure?

  • Comment posted by U15374432, at 10:51 19 Jan 2013

    @7.
    Sorry mate, I can't accept that.

    He did absolutely nothing with an amazing Ospreys squad.

    Don't beleive the hype..........

  • Comment posted by MumblesOspreyJack, at 23:17 18 Jan 2013

    I would like to commiserate with Scarlet supporters on the ludicrous decision someone has made at the Scarlets to take on Holley as a Backs coach.
    He had at one time in the Ospreys the best set of backs in Wales, and got absolutely nothing out of them. You should hope he has no influence on your young developing backs, as they deserve better.

  • Comment posted by 9XGlyn, at 22:36 18 Jan 2013

    Be fair boys.
    There is a case for a victory of style over content with SH and his media loveliness maybe stronger than his achievement but he has been associated in some capacity or other with some significant outcomes with the Ospreys. Maybe there is a paucity of genuine experienced quality coaching talent in Wales, otherwise logic would put Holley in he Wales frame.
    Passion and honesty needed!

  • Comment posted by wooodsey, at 17:57 18 Jan 2013

    3.Ospreylian1

    I agree entirely. What other job can you go straight to the top without experience. All other countries go for experience. So much for the WRU coaching pathway.

    As regards Sean Holley going to the Scarlets' Its jobs for the boys' Since he left the Ospreys they have become a good side to watch.

  • Comment posted by U15374432, at 15:10 18 Jan 2013

    Best of luck, Scarlets fans.

    Hope you enjoy all the fantastic positivity Holley will bring.

    He will start by telling the press "what an amazing region", "so much talent", "as a Welsh speaker myself...." etc

    Only one problem really. He is a rubbish coach!

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