Alex Craig signs new Scarlets contract

Scarlets can announce that our Players’ Player of the Season, Scotland international Alex Craig, has signed a new contract with the club.

The 27-year-old second row enjoyed a stand out first season in Llanelli, culminating in him winning the players’ vote in the end-of-season awards and the player of the match in the Judgement Day finale against the Dragons.

Alex finished the regular season as the third highest tackler in the United Rugby Championship and provided a powerhouse presence at the heart of the Scarlets pack, playing 20 games and scoring tries in both wins over Cardiff.

From Dumfries in the west of Scotland, he has been capped twice by Scotland, with his form for the Scarlets seeing him named in Gregor Townsend’s squad for the forthcoming summer tour of the Americas.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Alex had a big first year for us and being named player of the season by his fellow players was a deserved reward. I have spoken of him being an ‘old school’ lock, a player who gets round the field, carries aggressively and has high ruck numbers - his contribution has been invaluable this season.

“His recall to the Scotland squad is an indication of how well he has performed in a Scarlets jersey and we wish him well for the upcoming summer tour.”

Peel added: “For Alex to re-sign with a club is another statement of intent for the coming season. We have made some really positive signings and retained key personnel as well. We are back in at the start of July and then the likes of Alex and our other internationals will join us a bit later as preparations ramp up for the new campaign.”

Alex Craig said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first year in Llanelli, the players, staff and supporters made me feel really welcome and it was great to get out there and play a lot of rugby after a couple of frustrating seasons with injury.

“We didn’t get the results we wanted, but there’s a great bunch of boys at the club working hard to turn things around. We have a young, exciting squad with some new faces coming aboard and I’m looking forward to linking up with the boys again after the summer tour ready to go again next season.”

Alex is the latest player to recommit to the Scarlets ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, following Tonga lock Sam Lousi, Wales internationals Johnny Williams, Tom Rogers and Harri O’Connor and back-rowers Dan Davis and Ben Williams.

Scarlets have also strengthened their squad with the addition of hooker Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), prop Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), full-back Ellis Mee (Nottingham), lock Max Douglas (Toyota Canon Eagles), Wales international prop Henry Thomas (Castres Olympique) and back-three player Blair Murray (Canterbury).