Scarlets sign Stormers lock

TRANSFER NEWS: Scarlets bolstered their pack with the signing of a Stormers lock ahead of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season.

Alex Groves will join the Llanelli outfit from the Stormers as the club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the 2026-27 season.

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Standing at 2.05 metres tall, the former England Under-20s Grand Slam winner arrives in west Wales as part of the club’s strategy to add greater size, physicality and competition to the engine room of the squad.

At just 25 years of age, Groves already brings experience from his time at Bristol Bears, Sale Sharks, Western Province and the Stormers, having previously helped England Under-20s secure Six Nations success.

Scarlets supporters will have had a glimpse of Groves already after he featured for the club earlier this season as loan cover during the URC South African tour, starting against the Lions and appearing from the bench against the Sharks in Durban.

An impressive line-out operator with a strong set-piece game, he will link up with the squad at Parc y Scarlets at a prime stage of his rugby career.

Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Alex is exactly the type of player we wanted to bring into the squad.

“He has excellent size, athleticism and set-piece presence, but what really impressed us was his appetite to compete and improve.

“He is still only 25 years of age, has come through robust rugby environments at Bristol, Sale and the Stormers, and we believe there is a lot more growth to come in his game.

“We have been very clear that strengthening the tight five is a key priority for us.

“Rugby is still built on winning collisions, dominating set-piece and creating a platform for the rest of the team, and Alex helps us in all of those areas.

“We are building genuine competition within our second-row group, and that is important in helping drive standards, which drives performance.

“Alongside experienced players like Sam Lousi, Harvey Cuckson and the younger players coming through, Alex will help create a stronger and more competitive environment.

“He spent time with us in South Africa earlier this season and fitted into the environment immediately.

“He understood what the Scarlets is about, he enjoyed the environment, and we were equally impressed with him.

“We believe he has all the attributes to become a very important player for this club.”

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Looking forward to his move to west Wales, Groves said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Scarlets permanently.

“Having had the opportunity to spend time with the club on loan earlier this season, I got a real feel for the environment, the people and the ambitions here, which made it an easy decision.

“My time with the boys gave me great insight into the culture that’s been built within the squad.

“It’s a group that works hard for each other, and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of that and contributing however I can.

“This move is a fresh challenge for me at an important stage of my career, and I’m looking forward to pushing myself, developing my game further and testing myself in a new environment.

“I can’t wait to join everyone in Llanelli, meet up with the boys again and get stuck into pre-season.”

Groves becomes the sixth new signing announced by the Scarlets ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, following the arrivals of Corey Domachowski, Harvey Cuckson, John McKee, George Roberts and Isaac Murray-Macgregor.

The Scarlets have also extended the contracts of a number of key players, including Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Gareth Davies, Dan Davis, Jac Davies and Sam Lousi, with further announcements regarding recruitment, retention and the coaching team to follow in the coming weeks.

The recruitment undertaken so far reflects a clear focus on strengthening the foundations of the squad, increasing competition for places and building a group capable of competing consistently in the URC and EPCR competitions.