Scarlets sign back-rower Taine Plumtree

Scarlets have announced the signing of Welsh-qualified forward Taine Plumtree ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Born in Swansea, the 23-year-old back-rower is to arrive in Wales this week after confirming his move from New Zealand where he has been playing Super Rugby for the Auckland-based Blues and provincial rugby for Wellington.

Taine is the son of John Plumtree, the former Swansea head coach and All Blacks and Ireland assistant coach.

He was selected for the World Junior Championships in 2019 - playing for the Baby Blacks against Wales in that tournament in Argentina - with his senior career beginning with Wellington in New Zealand’s provincial competition, the Mitre 10 Cup.

An athletic line-out forward and dynamic runner, Plumtree made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues in 2021 and has continued to impress for Wellington, scoring a hat-trick of tries in a game against Northland.

Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “Taine is an athletic, versatile forward who is able to play across the back row. We have been impressed by what we have seen of him with Wellington and when he has featured for the Blues in Super Rugby.

“He is a player of huge potential and we are excited for him to join the young generation of Scarlets who are coming through the ranks here.

“I am sure he will fit in well with the style of rugby we like to play and we’re looking forward to welcoming into the group ahead of the new season.”

Plumtree becomes the latest addition to the Scarlets squad for the 2023-24 campaign following the signings of Ioan Lloyd, Tomi Lewis, Alex Craig, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Charlie Titcombe and Efan Jones.