Moriarty joined the Scarlets from rivals Swansea in 2003

Paul Moriarty has stepped down as the forwards coach at the Scarlets.

The ex-Wales dual-code international, 45, moved to Llanelli from traditional local rivals Swansea in 2003, joining then-coach Phil Davies' back-room team.

Former Scarlets captain Simon Easterby will fill the gap left by Moriarty next season by taking on a new player-coach role, working with the forwards.

"It's an opportunity that I am delighted to have been given," said former Ireland back-row Easterby, 33.

"This is something I've thinking about for a while... I have been looking at options as I move on from my playing career.

"Working as a coach will be a great new challenge for me and one that I am going to relish.

Easterby has been with Llanelli and the Scarlets for a decade, joining in 1999, and has played 187 games for the region throughout his 14-year professional playing career.

He will be working closely over the next month with the Scarlets coaching set-up alongside head coach Nigel Davies and assistants John Muggleton and Brad Harrington

"Simon has always been a major asset to the Scarlets both on and off the field," said Davies.

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"Technically he is very astute and he commands great respect from all the Scarlets players.

"We now want to give him the opportunity to prove himself further as a player-coach."

Moriarty is the latest high-profile name to depart Parc Y Scarlets in recent weeks.

The Scarlets have shed a number of players - including All Black Kees Meeuws - and their financial problems have been well-documented.

Morriston-product Moriarty was an outstanding back-rower for Swansea who gained 21 caps for Wales in rugby union, and scored four tries for his country.

He played in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try against Australia in Wales' closely fought 22-21 victory that won them third place at the tournament.

After deciding to turn professional, Moriarty spent seven seasons in rugby league with Widnes and Halifax, winning 15 Wales caps and two for Great Britain.

The big forward returned to Swansea in 1996 after rugby union went professional, eventually going into coaching with the All Whites and becoming caretaker coach following the departure of John Connolly from St Helen's.

Then came the surprise move to Swansea's traditional rivals at Stradey Park, a ground where Moriarty and his brother, Richard, had been regarded as pantomime villains during west Wales derbies.

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