Huge season for Nottingham leads to URC deal for Welsh-qualified No15

The Scarlets have signed 20-year-old Ellis Mee from Championship outfit Nottingham ahead of next season.

The back three player bagged Nottingham's players’, fans’ and overall player-of-the-season awards recently after his debut season for the club.

The 6ft 4in and 92kg back has been described by Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel as a "powerful runner" who is "strong in the air".

Mee is also Welsh-qualified, meaning this is a move that may pique Warren Gatland's interest as well.

The Nottingham star is the Scarlets' third signing ahead of the summer, with Cheetahs hooker Marnus van der Merwe and Exeter Chiefs prop Alec Hepburn already set to join. The club have also confirmed that more signings are forthcoming.

“Scarlets are an amazing club with great history and I can’t wait to be a part of it," Mee said after signing.

“Signing for Scarlets is an excellent opportunity for me to better myself in a higher league and against different opposition.

“I am really looking forward to starting this next chapter of my career.”

Mee's future coach Peel added: “Ellis has impressed us with his form for Nottingham this season, he is a powerful runner, strong in the air and knows his way to the try line. We are looking forward to him joining us for pre-season in the summer.

“He will be part of a group of young Welsh backs who we are excited about for the coming years. The likes of Tomi Lewis, Eddie James, Joe Roberts and Tom Rogers have had a lot of rugby for us this season, Jac Davies has been outstanding for Llandovery before his injury and it was great to see Macs Page make his debut in Parma last weekend.

“There is a crop of talented young Welsh backs coming through who have a huge amount of potential and we are looking forward to seeing Ellis challenge for a place in the side next season.”