The Scarlets are beefing up their squad with some heavyweight talent for the 2026-27 Vodacom URC season, securing the services of former Stormers lock Alex Groves. At just 25, the former England U20 international, who barely scratched the surface with the Stormers in one appearance during the 2025-26 season, is set to deepen the Welsh club's tight five.
Groves' stint in Cape Town culminated with a brief cameo off the bench in a Champions Cup match in London against Harlequins. However, his earlier loan spell at the Scarlets, where he played two Vodacom URC matches, seems to have left a mark both on him and the club.
"Alex is exactly the type of player we wanted to bring into the squad,"
stated Nigel Davies, the interim director of rugby at Scarlets."He has excellent size, athleticism, and set-piece presence, but what really impressed us was his appetite to compete and improve."
Davies is bullish about Groves’ potential impact, emphasizing the necessity of fortifying the front five.
"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."
"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,"
Groves commented, reflecting on his decision. His previous loan experience at Scarlets had evidently set the groundwork for his permanent move.Standing tall at 2.05 meters, Groves' blend of youth, experience, and physicality could be exactly what the Scarlets need to shake up their game plan and intimidate their opponents in the upcoming season. With this strategic addition, the Scarlets are clearly gearing up to make a significant impact in the league, leveraging Groves' talents to enhance their competitive edge on the field.
The Welsh club expressed their enthusiasm for their new acquisition with a hearty "Croeso Alex" (Welcome Alex), signaling fresh aspirations for the seasons ahead.