SCARLETS SIGN NEW ZEALAND BACK-ROWER CULLEN GRACE FROM CRUSADERS

Scarlets have signed back-rower Cullen Grace from Super Rugby side Crusaders. The 26-year-old has made one Test appearance for New Zealand against Australia in 2020 and represented the Maori All Blacks on three occasions. Grace will join the Welsh rugby club in October following the completion of Canterbury's National Provincial Championship campaign. He will miss the start of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season.

Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies said Grace's profile matched what the club sought in recruitment. Davies stated that Grace is a proven performer whose character impressed the club, and that at 26 he is entering the prime years of his career having already achieved considerable success. Grace becomes the seventh Scarlets signing for the 2026-27 season, following prop Corey Domachowski, locks Harvey Cuckson and Alex Groves, hookers John McKee and George Roberts, and back-three player Isaac Murray-Macgregor. The club has also retained skipper Josh Macleod, Fletcher Anderson, Gareth Davies, Jac Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi, Will Evans and Harri O'Connor on new deals.

Grace said Scarlets' history and tradition appealed to him and expressed his intention to contribute to the club and its supporters. The club will open their URC campaign with a home Welsh derby against Cardiff on 26 September 2026. Scarlets' departures for the upcoming season include Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Tom Rogers, Jake Ball, Max Douglas and Jarrod Taylor.