'Invaluable' Alex Craig signs new Scarlets deal

Scarlets have confirmed that lock Alex Craig has signed a new deal with the club one year after joining.

The 27-year-old was named the players' player of the year after his first season at Parc y Scarlets, having arrived from Gloucester last summer. 

Craig capped off a brilliant season, where he was the United Rugby Championship's third-highest tackler with a success rate of 96 per cent, by being called up to Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for their July tour.

He will hope to add to his two caps over the coming weeks against Canada, the USA, Chile and Uruguay.

The Scot will be rivalled by new signing Max Douglas for a second-row berth next season. The Australian is one of many signings alongside the likes of Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Ellis Mee, Max Douglas, Henry Thomas and Blair Murray.

“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," Craig said.

“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.”

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel added: “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.

“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.”