With more than 200 miles on the clock in one day, the Scarlets toured Mid and North Wales on their tour of the region with thousands welcoming the Scarlets squad to the National Eisteddfod Maes at Bala.
The Scarlets squad enjoyed the North Wales sunshine at a packed Maes which recorded the largest numbers of the week. Scarlets players and management met representatives from the FUW, British Heart Foundation, Welsh Assembly Government and Welsh Language Board.
This is the first time that the full Scarlets squad have visited the Eisteddfod as a whole team and the crowds turned out in force to welcome them. With thousands of picture posters signed, the Scarlets' mascot, Cochyn led the singing and dancing at the Eisteddfod festival.
And as part of their journey to North Wales, the squad, coaches and off-field Scarlets team toured Mid Wales meeting rugby club officials, members and Scarlets supporters from Newtown RFC and Aberaeron RFC as well as running skills sessions with junior players.
New Scarlets signing, winger Andy Fenby who has joined from Newcastle Falcons said the trip through mid and North Wales was a great way of connecting with the new rugby community he has now joined. Andy was brought up near Llandudno, so was pleased to be traveling back North on the tour.
He said: "We have had a great welcome and it's been a brilliant trip particularly as a newcomer, it's a chance to see the rugby region and feel part of the team. I am now going to be focusing 100% on my rugby and hoping to make a real impact with the Scarlets.
"Growing up in North Wales I know how important it is to promote top-class rugby in this area and I can also appreciate what it means to supporters in this part of this world to be able to meet Scarlets supporters face-to-face."
North Wales Scarlets colleagues Rob McCusker and Rob Higgitt were amongst the 32-strong team out and about on the Maes as well as international stars such as Mark Jones, David Lyons, Jonathan Davies, Daniel Evans, Simon Easterby, Regan King and Morgan Stoddart.
Rupert Moon, Commercial Director of the Scarlets who led the tour across Wales which included a trip to Newtown RFC and then to Aberaeron RFC, said: "Our mission is to make supporting the Scarlets feel like being part of one big family. To be out and about around the region is exactly what we need to do to spread that message. We want to make people feel part of our rugby region, its essential that our supporters get the chance to meet players and staff face-to-face. We want Scarlets rugby to be accessible to everybody across our region."
To see all the pictures from the Scarlets tour please visit our Gallery.
