Carmarthen Quins suffer resignation of two officials after row over team selection

Carmarthen Quins' British & Irish Cup campaign has been rocked by the recent resignations of two club officials after a row over selection.

Chairman Dorian Taylor and club secretary Don Davies have both quit due to regional influence over the Quins’ campaign – with the Scarlets using the competition to field a largely developmental side containing contracted regional and academy players.

For the Quins' opening game in the competition – a 37-17 defeat to Jersey – only four Quins regulars started the game.

Not only has the Quins' side changed dramatically, the club are also playing just one of their British & Irish Cup pool games at their normal venue.

This weekend’s clash with Plymouth is being staged at Parc y Scarlets with the final group game against Jersey on December 13 taking place at Llandovery’s Church Bank.

The decision has left many at the Quins frustrated but club official Alan Bowen feels the furore has been blown out of all proportion.

“It’s a pity that it has come to this,” he said.

“We’ve had two serious committee meetings about the matter and the majority – 90 per cent – are in agreement with what the Scarlets are trying to do.

“But, unfortunately, some are not so have taken the decision to step down.

“We’ve got such a good relationship with the Scarlets and we thought it’s not worth jeopardising that for this competition.

“Everybody realises you have to have a parent club and, like everyone else in the division, the regions let us use some of their players. The whole division has prospered from it.

A Scarlets spokesperson said: "The British & Irish Cup and LV= Cup fixtures are ideal development platforms to bridge the gap between the Principality Premiership and professional regional rugby in Wales.

"The principles of allocating regional development players to these competitions were agreed with all three Premiership clubs; Llanelli, Carmarthen Quins and Llandovery, in August before the play-off fixtures took place.

"It was also agreed that each Premiership club would host a British and Irish Cup fixture during the pool stages with the first home game taking place at Parc y Scarlets this Saturday.”