Peel played 151 times for the Scarlets over a nine-year period, was raised in the Gwendraeth Valley village of Tumble, and now once again calls west Wales home.
Former Wales scrum-half Peel’s association with the Llanelli-based club goes back over 50 years to a time when his grandfather, Bert, was the team’s physiotherapist.
The name Peel – like Bennett and Quinnell – is synonymous with Llanelli rugby and the 39-year-old is delighted to return home.
One thing the 2005 British & Irish Lions scrum-half wants is for his players to embrace the history and tradition of the Scarlets as he has.
“I definitely think it’s important,” said the star of Wales’ famous 2005 Grand Slam. “I loved playing here and it was a big thing representing the area.
“Without sounding too corny, playing for a cause was hugely important. I was a fan at Stradey Park from three to four years of age and then I was lucky enough to play for the club.
“I think that DNA is really important. We have a lot of guys who are from this area and I feel it’s important the feeling towards this area and the club is driven by myself and them.
“We carry that and the guys who are coming into this area or from overseas have to feel that. They have to feel it’s a special place.”
Since winning what was then the PRO12 in 2017 and reaching a Champions Cup semi-final the following season, the Scarlets have gone through a tumultuous period. Last season’s campaign, which ended with the departure of the then head coach Glenn Delaney, was plagued by inconsistency.
Peel’s focus will be on strengthening the fundamentals of their game to allow a world-class back-line which includes senior Wales internationals Gareth Davies, Rhys Patchell, Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams to flourish.
“It was an exciting one for me because with being the head coach you get access to the way the team wants to play and that is great,” Peel said.
“Where we are really blessed is we’ve got individuals who can turn a game. If we can get consistency in all the areas of our game it will give those guys a framework and even more of an opportunity to express themselves. My background is attack and I want us to attack well.
“The honest truth is defences are getting better and the game is about physicality and speed so it’s important you have a balanced view. I need to work out a way to create opportunities and convert them. I’m excited to work with this group of players.”
Asked what his long-term goal was with the Scarlets, Peel responded: “To win silverware. I think there are a lot of things that need to happen for that to be put into place.
“One is to make sure the environment is right. We’ve got good players, we’ve got good players coming through, and we’re always going to have good talent within our area.
“It’s about harnessing that and getting that competition within the team.”
