McCusker to skipper the Scarlets
Wales loose forward Rob McCusker has been selected by coach Simon Easterby as the man to skipper the Welsh province next season.
The 26-year-old has won four Test caps for Wales and has made 68 appearances for the Scarlets as a regular on the side of the scrum.
Easterby explained that McCusker is a 'natural leader' that had earned the respect and support of his colleagues through hard work and commitment.
Easterby said: "Having played alongside Rob and then also coached him as a player, I have seen him develop and mature as a player a great deal over the past six years.
"He has certainly earned his stripes working extremely hard to get his opportunity with the Scarlets and once he did he hasn't looked back. He is a true Scarlet in terms of his values and commitment to this squad, our region as a whole and its supporters and he will have the full support of all the players in his captaincy.
"He has the respect of his peers and coaching group which is vital and he will lead the team from the front and by example and I know will set the highest of standards along the way."
Easterby added that McCusker's appointment as captain shows the progression of the squad and the need for a leader with the ability to bring forward and connect with a number of younger players as well as having the backing of senior Scarlets colleagues.
He added: "We have a young team with some natural leaders in it, and with Rob at the helm it's only going to get better."
The Scarlets have boosted their pack for the new season with the signing of Argentinian Tomás Vallejos from Harlequins.
The 27-year-old lock has been with Harlequins for the last two years and has impressed with his athleticism and skill at set-piece.
Born in Rosario, Vallejos has represented Argentina in the U17, U18, U20 and U23 age groups as well as achieving his first cap for the Pumas after featuring for his country in the 2011 World Cup.
The Scarlets confirmation of Vallejos joining their squad next season adds to the signing of another key second row talent, South African George Earle.
Easterby said: "We're delighted to announce formally that Tomás will be joining our squad for next season.
"He is a player we have followed closely throughout last season while he was at Harlequins and believe he can bring a new dimension to our second row options enhancing and strengthening our set piece play. We want to bring in players that are the right fit for us as well as complementing the players we have here already.
"He is an excellent line-out forward, an athletic player and exactly the type of player we see fitting well with the way we want to play at the Scarlets going forward and our ambitions for the future."
