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Scarlets confirm departure of Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes

Wales international centre Hadleigh Parkes is to leave Scarlets at the end of the current season....



Wales international centre Hadleigh Parkes is to leave Scarlets at the end of the current season. 

It's believed the 32-year old is set to sign for Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights.

Parkes was brought to the Scarlets by current Wales head coach Warren Pivac in 2014.

He's gone on to make 122 appearances for the provincial side, and was a key member of their PRO12-winning season of 2016-17.

A New Zealand native, Parkes would go on to play for Wales and has to date earned 29 international caps.

However, a move to Japan would likely signal the end of his international career with Wales only picking home-based players.

Pivac told BBC Wales earlier this week, "Hadleigh's coming off contract at the end of the season, he's got to factor in his age, a new family, where he's going to be living for the coming years, and the financial side.

"Then he's got to weigh up playing Test match rugby, so it's not an easy decision.

"Hadleigh has a real passion for Wales and has enjoyed his time here but he also understands that fatherhood is part of his life, so a big decision for him."

Parkes isn't the only player leaving Scarlets.

Earlier this week, former Wales wing Tom James announced his retirement from professional rugby.

Scrum-half Jonathan Evans and Samoa international Kieron Fonotia will also depart.

Academy product Corey Baldwin is heading for Exeter Chiefs, while Morgan Williams, Simon Gardiner and Rhys Fawcett are also heading for the exit door.

It's not only the playing staff that's undergoing changes at Scarlets.

Head coach Brad Mooar and forwards coach Ioan Cunningham are also on their way.

It was confirmed in December that Mooar would be joining Ian Foster’s All Blacks coaching team.

He'll be succeeded at Parc y Scarlets by Glenn Delaney.

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Hadleigh Parkes Scarlets Wales Wayne Pivac