Ben Franks: New Zealand World Cup winner joins Scarlets as scrum coach

Two-time World Cup winner Ben Franks will become scrum coach as part of the new-look Scarlets backroom staff.

Head coach Brad Mooar and forwards coach Ioan Cunningham are leaving the region.

Defence coach Glenn Delaney is stepping up to take the main role from Mooar, while Franks will become part of his backroom staff.

Academy and Wales Under-20s forwards coach Richard Kelly takes on the same role for the Scarlets senior side.

Richard Whiffin is promoted from assistant attack coach to attack coach at Parc y Scarlets.

Franks announced in February that he is to retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2019-20 season.

The Northampton front-rower won 47 caps for New Zealand, helping the All Blacks lift consecutive World Cups in 2011 and 2015 alongside younger brother Owen.

"Coaching is something I had always planned to do when I finished playing and I was delighted when this opportunity came with the Scarlets," Franks said.

"I had always known I was going to retire this season so before the coronavirus I had planned on taking some time off, doing some travelling and upskilling. Glenn then got in touch and it's an opportunity I'm excited to be taking."

Franks is one of 21 players to have lifted the World Cup on two occasions.

The 36-year-old won two Super Rugby titles with Crusaders and has since played in England for Northampton and London Irish, where he played under Delaney.

Delaney said: "I am delighted to bring Rich Kelly into the senior coaching team after the work he has done with the Academy, A side and the Wales U20s and also to welcome someone of Ben's calibre to the Scarlets.

"Both bring a broad skillset to the group along with their detailed set-piece expertise and I am looking forward to seeing them add to our programme.

"Ben's playing record speaks for itself... I know him well from my days with my original club Linwood back in New Zealand and also with Irish and he is the ultimate professional.

"He started his senior coaching journey as a player coach with London Irish and has continued to coach club rugby outside of his playing commitments."

Kelly has been head coach at Welsh Premiership side Carmarthen Quins and in charge of the Scarlets 'A' side that competed in the Celtic Cup.

The Scarlets players leaving the region are Hadleigh Parkes, Kieron Fonotia, Corey Baldwin, Jonathan Evans, Morgan Williams, Simon Gardiner, Rhys Fawcett and Tom James, who is retiring from professional rugby.

All the departures are occurring before any training resumes.

Centres Tyler Morgan and Jonny Williams have been linked with moves from Dragons and Newcastle, while Tonga back-rower Sione Kalamafoni is also expected to arrive at Scarlets from Leicester.