Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

New Scarlets recruit Kieron Fonotia starts this press conference at Parc y Scarlets by talking about his international prospects with Samoa. This is an edited version of the press conference. A fuller version will appear at the weekend.

Llanelli Scarlets are backing the Carmarthenshire County Council-led campaign to tackle drink driving this Christmas. Hooker Ken Owens and outside half Rhys Patchell joined Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole to launch the seasonal campaign at Parc y Scarlets. It is part of the council’s efforts to promote road safety across the county. It follows the success of Imogen Williams, a pupil at Coedcae School, Llanelli, who was highly commended in the All Wales Drink and Drug Driving Campaign Poster Competition. She received a cheque for £50 and received a framed certificate and an art set. Carmarthenshire’s road safety unit is focusing on raising awareness of the consequences of drink-driving using sporting analogies such as ‘Give Drink-Driving the Red Card’, ‘Kick Drink-Driving into Touch’, ‘Blow the Whistle on Drink-Driving.’ A social media campaign is being run to raise awareness of this campaign. Don’t fall foul of the drink-drive rules this Christmas – visit Carmar...

The team at the Breakthro Llanelli charity have a fab first prize lined up for their annual Christmas raffle. It is a rugby ball signed by the current Scarlets first team. Tickets are on sale in the St Elli shopping centre, by the market hall entrance, on Fridays November 25 and December 2. The draw takes place on Saturday December 10 at the Coleshill Centre, Llanelli. Meanwhile, there is a Curry night for Breakthro at the Masala restaurant in West End, Llanelli, on November 23, 6.30pm. Find out more about Breakthro on the website - http://www.breakthrollanelli.org.uk/

Scarlets players Ken Owens and Rhys Patchell are supporting International Walk to School Month. Pupils from Brynteg School were invited to Parc y Scarlets to start their ‘walk to school’ where they were met by Captain Ken Owens and fly-half Rhys Patchell. They were also joined by Council Leader Emlyn Dole, as well as local councillors Sharen Davies (Llwynhendy) and Deryk Cundy (Bynea), and not forgetting the council’s road safety mascot Gary GoSafe. Every October, International Walk to School Month sees primary school pupils from across the UK join forces with children in more than 40 countries worldwide to celebrate the benefits of walking to school. Cllr Dole said: “I was delighted to go along and walk to school with the children from Brynteg. Walking to school has a number of benefits for both pupils and parents, as well as the wider community. “It is good fun, and a great way of getting regular exercise. It reduces traffic congestion and pollution, helps develop pedestrian and ro...

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Here's a picture slideshow of the night -

Get well soon wishes go to Peter Rees, Scarlets and Wales rugby hero. The former Llanelli RFC Chairman and President went into hospital in November and had to have a second emergency operation on Saturday - but he came around from surgery in time to watch the Wales team beat South Africa! Peter is the last surviving player from the 1947 Five Nations Tournament, which was the first after World War Two and the first Five Nations tournament for 16 years. Wales were joint Champions with England. Peter, 89 (90 in February), is currently in Preseli Ward in Glangwili Hospital. Mark John, Secretary Llanelli Rugby Football Club, said everyone at Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets wished Peter a speedy recovery.