Llandovery College, the Welsh school attended by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as an exchange student, is facing potential closure after falling £1 million into debt. The 178-year-old Carmarthenshire institution has been hit by falling pupil numbers and a VAT increase, prompting an urgent fundraising effort that has so far secured £480,000 in local pledges.
The college carries significant weight in Welsh rugby history, having produced more than 50 internationals who earned over 550 caps between them, among them George North and the country's most-capped player Alun Wyn Jones. Coaching legend Carwyn James was also an ex-pupil who returned as a master and coached the first XV from 1956 to 1968.
The Scarlets, as the college's closest regional partner, have the most direct stake in its survival. Wales U20 internationals Carwyn Leggatt-Jones — who has just been awarded a senior Scarlets contract — Will Evans and Yestyn Cook, currently at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia, are all recent products of the programme. Leggatt-Jones made his Scarlets debut last season while still completing his A-levels at Llandovery.
Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies visited the college on the final day of term and was unequivocal about its importance. "Llandovery College occupies a special place in Welsh rugby," he said. "It has built an outstanding reputation for developing exceptional young people as well as exceptional rugby players, and it continues to play a vital role within our player pathway. Our relationship with Llandovery College is incredibly important to Scarlets. We are proud of what we have achieved together and remain fully committed to building on that partnership for many years to come."