Scarlets have added former Springboks and Sharks lock Albert van den Berg to their coaching team ahead of next season.
Van den Berg will join the Welsh outfit as forwards coach and replaces former All Blacks prop Ben Franks, who has returned to New Zealand.
His arrival completes the coaching staff for the 2023/24 season, as Scarlets hope to impress in the United Rugby Championship and Europe.
Joins incoming duo at Scarlets
Former Ireland centre Jared Payne was recently named backs and attack coach while Ulster’s Shane Carney is head of athletic performance.
Regarded as one of the leading forwards and lineout coaches in South African rugby, Van den Berg has been working at the Lions since 2021.
Capped 51 times by the Boks, the ex-Shark started his coaching journey in the Sharks Academy as their forwards coach and lineout specialist.
He had a three-year spell as an assistant coach with his former club the Canon Eagles in Japan before a stint in the Currie Cup with Griquas.
The incoming trio are set to link up with Dwayne Peel (head coach), Gareth Williams (defence) and Emyr Phillips (contact skills and scrum).
“Albert, Jared and Shane are exciting additions and we look forward to welcoming them to Parc y Scarlets this summer,” said a thrilled Peel.
Exciting additions to club
“I know Jared and Shane well from my time with Ulster. I worked with Jared for three and a half years and he is a quality coach who will be great for our talented crop of young players, in particular. Similarly, Shane, who is a highly-rated performance coach with a real focus on detail.
“Albert brings with him a wealth of experience from his time coaching in Japan and South Africa.
“He has the experience of playing more than 50 Tests for the Springboks and comes here with a real pedigree as one of the most highly regarded forwards and lineout coaches in South Africa.
“I’d also like to thank Ben Franks for everything he has done for the Scarlets.
“Franksy has been influential in developing a pack culture here and also bringing through an exciting pool of young front five forwards that we have at the club.
“We wish him well with the next chapter of his career back in New Zealand.”
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