Scarlets have announced that Eamon O’Carroll has joined the club as their new defence coach from Super League’s St Helens.

The 38-year-old former Ireland international previously held roles as head coach of Bradford Bulls and Newcastle Thunder and assistant coach at Catalans Dragons.

O’Carroll will become part of Scarlets’ coaching team following the conclusion of the current Super League season, with St Helens firmly in contention for silverware as they pursue their ambitions of reaching the Super League Grand Final.

Scarlets says that the former Ireland international’s role will “extend beyond defensive organisation and systems” and will be “working closely with players and staff across the entire performance programme to help develop the physical and behavioural standards required to compete at the highest level.”

“We are absolutely delighted to bring Eamon to Scarlets,” Scarlets interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said.

“First and foremost, he is an outstanding coach. He has worked within elite high-performance environments at the top of professional rugby league and has built a stand-out reputation for his energy, attention to detail, work ethic and ability to develop players and drive standards every day.

“What also stood out to us was his character. He is passionate, demanding, highly competitive and has a genuine enthusiasm for helping players improve. He will bring a huge amount of energy to our environment.

“Defence is about far more than systems. It is about attitude, commitment, trust and the willingness to compete for every moment of the game. Eamon brings those qualities in abundance.

“His experience in title-winning elite professional environments has been built around those principles. His teams are known for their work ethic, their physical commitment and their willingness to compete for every moment of the game.

“We want players who are not just fit enough to play rugby but fit enough to dominate the contact area, repeatedly get off the ground, reload and compete. Eamon shares that vision completely. He is a great cultural fit.

“He understands the importance of creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work, challenge one another and continually strive to improve.

“We want to build a team that reflects the values of this club and our supporters – hard-working, connected, brave and relentlessly competitive. We believe our players and supporters will really connect with what Eamon brings.”

“The opportunity to join Scarlets was one that really excited me,” O’Carroll added.

“I’ve always tried to challenge myself throughout my career and step outside my comfort zone because that’s when I feel I do my best work.

“Scarlets is a great club with huge history, strong values and clearly means everything to its supporters and the whole region in West Wales.

“After meeting Nigel, Dwayne and Cubby [James Davies], I felt a real connection straight away. They care deeply about the club and what they’re trying to build.

“I was really impressed by their vision for the future and the honesty around where the club is now and where it wants to get to. Culturally, I felt the team at Scarlets are my kind of people, with values that match and I am excited to get started.

“When I watched Scarlets play, one thing stood out immediately – they compete. That’s really important to me. It’s not about coming in and changing everything. It’s about adding to what is already there, bringing fresh ideas and helping people improve.

“The first thing is that people get to know me as a person. Connection comes before anything else.

“I set high standards and I ask a lot of players, but they need to know that comes from a place of detail, hard work and because I genuinely want to help them improve and help the team be successful together.

“When people know who you are and what you’re about, that’s when you can really start building something special.”

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