Welsh-qualified prop Gabe Hawley has signed a first contract with the Scarlets senior squad for the coming season.
The 23-year-old arrived at Parc y Scarlets in 2024 from Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Brunel University.
At 125kg, he has developed into a powerful scrummaging tight-head and strong, aggressive carrier and already has nine senior Scarlets appearances to his name.
He was also a regular for Llandovery in their 2025-26 Super Rygbi Cymru title-winning campaign and Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies is looking forward to seeing him continue his development in the coming seasons.
He said: “Gabe is another player who continues to progress within the squad having joined us from playing university rugby in Brunel. He is an intelligent player, with a strong desire to learn and progress his game and possesses the stature to become a formidable front-row forward.
“He has impressed us with his performances for Llandovery in the SRC and when he has appeared for the Scarlets in both the URC and in European competition, he has shown he is more than comfortable at that level.
“It is a big season ahead for Gabe, moving into the senior squad and we are excited to see how he progresses.”
Born in Ipswich, Hawley qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, who was born in Llanelli and raised in Kidwelly.
Gabe Hawley said: “I’ve learned a lot in the two years I have been here and am looking forward to continuing that development in the senior squad this season.
“Getting a taste of senior rugby, playing against top sides in the URC and European competitions, gives you an appetite for more and it’s about getting my head down in pre-season, working hard on my game and taking the opportunities when they come.
“It’s been fantastic being back with the boys in pre-season this week, there is good buzz in training, lots of new faces and there is a real focus and desire to push forward as a group.”
Gabe is the third player from the Senior Academy to graduate to a senior contract for the 2026-27 season, following Jac Davies and Will Evans. Other players to have penned new deals are Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Gareth Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi and Harri O’Connor. New recruits include prop Corey Domachowski, second rows Harvey Cuckson and Alex Groves, hookers John McKee and George Roberts, full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor and back-rower Cullen Grace.