The Scarlets have appointed highly-rated New Zealander Aaron Dundon from Leinster as the club's lead forwards coach ahead of the 2026/27 season. Dundon will work alongside specialist lineout coach Albert van den Berg and contact area coach Bradley Davies.
Coaching Team Reshuffle
Former Wales hooker Emyr Phillips, who has been in charge of the scrum, has moved to a full-time role leading the Scarlets academy. Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies has been busy putting a strong coaching team together, with Dwayne Peel retained and St Helens' Eamon O'Carroll recently appointed as defence coach.
Widely respected as one of Irish rugby's brightest forward coaches, Dundon arrives in west Wales with a reputation for technical excellence, meticulous preparation, and developing high-performing packs that consistently perform under pressure.
Dundon's Coaching Background
Born in New Zealand and a former Leinster player, Dundon has built an impressive coaching CV across the professional game, holding roles with Leinster Rugby, Ireland U20s, FC Grenoble, Ulster Rugby, and La Rochelle. He has also coached in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship with Tasman Mako.
The Scarlets say he will oversee the forwards programme, bringing together the scrum, lineout, maul, and collision areas into one aligned identity, driving standards to build a physical, competitive pack capable of challenging the best teams in the United Rugby Championship.
Davies and Dundon Quotes
"Aaron is someone who has been highly recommended by people whose opinions I trust enormously," said Davies. "Every conversation came back to the same qualities: his technical expertise, his preparation, attention to detail, and ability to develop forward packs that consistently perform under pressure."
Davies added: "He has developed within one of the strongest coaching systems in world rugby and has worked alongside some outstanding coaches throughout his career. Just as importantly, he is passionate about developing players, building strong relationships, and continually driving standards."
Dundon said: "Joining a club with the history, ambition, and identity of the Scarlets is a fantastic opportunity and one I'm incredibly excited about. I'm looking forward to working closely with Dwayne Peel, Nigel Davies, and the rest of the coaching team to help drive the club forward."
He continued: "My coaching philosophy is built on relentless preparation, attention to detail, and creating a set-piece that gives the team a genuine platform to play. With a physical and dominant set-piece, the talented players in this squad can express themselves and play the exciting, expansive brand of rugby the Scarlets are renowned for."
Impact and Ambitions
The appointment signals the Scarlets' ambition to strengthen their forward pack and compete at the highest level in the URC. Dundon will join the Scarlets ahead of pre-season, bringing expertise from top-tier European and international rugby environments.
