The Scarlets have officially secured the services of promising lock Harvey Cuckson on a permanent transfer from Bath, following two impressive loan stints with the Welsh region.
The 22-year-old, who hails from north Wales, has already made five appearances in the United Rugby Championship (URC) for the Llanelli side this season, showcasing his potential during a crucial period for the team.
Standing at an imposing 6ft 7ins, the young forward first caught the Scarlets' attention when he stepped in during a second-row injury crisis last October. His immediate impact was undeniable, particularly during a challenging tour in South Africa.
"He came in at short notice ahead of a challenging tour in South Africa," said interim director of rugby Nigel Davies. "He showed a level of composure and physicality that stood out straight away. He embraced everything we asked of him, strong at the set-piece, worked hard defensively and, importantly, showed a real appetite to learn and improve."
Cuckson becomes the Scarlets' second confirmed summer arrival, following the signing of Wales loose-head prop Corey Domachowski from Cardiff. This move underscores the club's commitment to developing homegrown talent and players with strong ties to Welsh rugby.
"Bringing in and developing players who have a connection to Welsh rugby is important to us," added Davies. "Harvey is a young player with genuine potential and, just as importantly, the mindset to grow within our environment."
During his loan spell, Cuckson faced formidable opponents including the Lions, Sharks, Glasgow, Dragons, and Ulster in the URC. He also gained valuable experience playing for Bath in the Premiership Cup and Worcester in the Championship this season, demonstrating his versatility and growing reputation.
"To be a part of the Scarlets and to play my rugby in Wales is a huge opportunity for me," said the Welsh-qualified former England Under-20s international. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of the URC and getting stuck in with the squad in pre-season."
As the Scarlets currently sit one from bottom of the URC standings, they face a crucial match against Ospreys in Bridgend on Saturday, before rounding off their season at home to the Dragons. With young talents like Cuckson joining the ranks, the future looks promising for the Welsh region as they aim to climb the table and build a competitive squad for next season.