THE Llanelli skyline is complete once more following the return of the youngest member of the Quinnell dynasty.

Five Roads-born Gavin has re-signed for the Scarlets after four years plying his trade on the road with spells across the border and in Italy.

Shoppers will no doubt stop and gaze up once again at the two metre plus rugby player as he makes his way along Stepney Street on a trip into town.

Very few families have dominated such a high-profile sporting club down the years but the Quinnells are giants of Llanelli — both figuratively and literally.

Dad Derek led the way making his debut for Llanelli in 1967 and going on to be a legend of club, country and the Lions.

Then came along Scott, who forged an equally impressive career and obtained hero status down Stradey Park, followed by the even larger Craig, who although going on to play his rugby elsewhere, also started off in the town.

Gavin took time out to tell the Star what it means to be back in the famous Scarlets jersey and what it was like growing up in that famous family.

He said: "My father retired when I was born but I obviously saw photographs and videos of him in action.

"As a youngster I remember people stopping my father all the time to speak to him, especially in Llanelli, I just thought it was because everyone knew everyone.

"That's how things are done in Llanelli, it's not one of the biggest places but that's what I love about it."

It wasn't long before the name Quinnell became plastered across the sports pages once more and Gavin, a former Glanymor pupil, saw what life was like in the rugby spotlight.

"I'm a bit younger than my brothers and when I was getting to an age where you understand about sport my brothers were at the height of their careers," he said.

"Scott was just 18 when he played for Wales and I realised it was a big thing, before then I just thought of him as my brother but everyone else saw him as a celebrity."

The 26-year-old was destined to follow the family tradition and played for the Scarlets before a self-imposed four-year exile which took him to Worcester and Viadana.

"I started my career off playing alongside my brother Scott in the old Stradey Park but then my career took me elsewhere.

"I think I'm a better player for it, I don't think you can stay in the same place for your whole career.

"I didn't want to be pushed into being exactly the same as my brothers, I'm my own player."

While he enjoyed his time in England, Gavin decided to give Italian rugby a try.

He said: "I thought it was a good opportunity, I spoke to my brothers and it's something they never did in their careers, I was very interested to see how it would go.

"I went out there to have a look at the town and it was very similar to Llanelli, not big and not small, a nice sized town and the people seemed lovely. I'm a very laid back sort of person, and thought I would give it a go for a year.

"I liked it so much I signed up for another year and said I will see how it goes."

For such a big man there was one drawback moving to the land of pizza and pasta.

"It was difficult to keep my weight down because they have a very high carbohydrate diet and lots of people knew who you were, you could go in and they would look after you, which was nice.

"It is nice as a professional sportsman to get dietary advice but a lot of it is obvious, for example I couldn't survive on the same diet as a little whipper-snapper on the wing.

"I know where my body is at now and what I can do and what I can't do."

Expanding on the family size, Gavin said: "Obviously my mother's quite adept at peeling a spud by now but she comes from a very big family of six or seven brothers and sisters so she's used to making a meal for a lot of people.

"I get people staring everywhere I go, it's not because of my name but because I'm a really big bloke.

"I'm the tallest but weight wise me and Craig are very similar.

"I was size 13 feet in junior school but then I stopped growing, I'm only size 14 now! I did go up to a 15 but came back down, I don't know how that works."

While plying his trade in Italy, Gavin was reminded of his roots when he played against his traditional foes, the Ospreys.

He explained: "I scored two tries against them in two games in Europe last year and even playing for Viadana there was still that rivalry, in my heart I knew I was playing against Neath and Swansea, as a Llanelli boy it was nice scoring those tries."

The hiraeth was also triggered when the number eight, who made his debut in Stradey Park, was asked to line up for the Barbarians to officially open Parc Y Scarlets.

He recalled: "I found it quite difficult playing against Llanelli when I played for the Barbarians, it was a strange feeling. It was the first time I had played against my home team.

"While it was an honour helping to open the new ground it was a shock to the system. I was running into people like Iestyn Thomas and he would be like, 'Alright Gav?' And I would be, 'Yeah'.

"It was hard to see the Scarlets badge on the other side and want to run over someone wearing the badge you want to be wearing."

Like all true Scarlets Gavin was sad to see his former stamping ground go, he said: "It was sad when Stradey went, with all the family memories. From where I lived in Furnace it overlooks the ground. The change I've seen, since I've been home in the last few weeks is ridiculous, it's almost gone now.

"As for the town itself, every time I come back I've got to get my bearings, it's nice, the area around Parc y Scarlets is amazing, but I do feel pity for the town centre, I used to like going to the town centre but it just seems to be going further and further away."

But the new stadium has really impressed Gavin.

"The facilities are spot on, it's impressive, it's similar to Worcester with all the facilities in one place, it makes your life much better.

"As a rugby fan you should want to go and watch rugby even if it's your village team. With the facilities the Scarlets have now it's just amazing, especially for the family with the supporters' village, dads should be saying I'll have the kids for the day and take them to the game."

And it is the fans who make Llanelli special for the player.

He said: "The fans are very warming. They have a family sort of feel — the same people will be there every week, they will reassure you if you have a bad game and make you feel better and make you want to go out and play better for them."

As for the future Gavin would like to take the ultimate step in following the family tradition and play for Wales but he will take it all in that huge stride of his.

"I'm glad to be home and hope to show I want to be here by performing on the pitch. My first target is just to get a regular starting place with the Scarlets, hopefully from there to keep playing well.

"If I get called up it will be a massive honour to play for my country but at the moment I will just play my heart out every time I go out there. If it's good enough, I may get the phone call but if not I will still play my heart out."

Gav Quinnell, that is.



http://www.myscarlets.co.uk/news/play-h ... ticle.html

I was size 13 feet in junior school but then I stopped growing, I'm only size 14 now! I did go up to a 15 but came back down, I don't know how that works.

I love the Scarlets sooooo much!

I want to have Gav Quinnell's babies.

Should imagine the conception would be a rather difficult process, best narrated by David Attenborough !!

The above Post is the result of leaving my computer on while Oede is in the house. Simple things please simple minds! *fupping* ass hole!!!! he should know that i only have eyes for Shane Williams.

However i do have to disagree with you on one issue BS. Billy Connoly would be much more suited to narrate

How did he find your computer with no eyes?

Should imagine the conception would be a rather difficult process, best narrated by David Attenborough !!