New signing Fletcher Anderson has spoken about how a chat with former Scarlets favourite Johnny McNicholl convinced him to make the move to West Wales.
The 22-year-old back-rower is settling in well at Parc y Scarlets after his arrival from New Zealand just over a week ago.
Considered one of the rising young talents in New Zealand rugby, Fletcher is an exciting addition to the Scarlets squad.
And in his first interview since joining the club, he has revealed what helped seal the Scarlets deal.
“It’s been good to be here, there is a great set-up, the boys have been awesome, super-welcoming and made me feel really at home, although I don’t think I saw the sun for the first week,” he smiles.
“After Peely and Cubby first got in touch to say they were interested, I spoke to a couple of guys who had been here.
“I knew Blair (Murray) well and he has done really well since coming here and also Johnny McNicholl, who I played with at the Crusaders.
“Johnny spoke really highly of this place. A lot of guys who have come here have stayed here for a while which is a sign of a good club with a good culture. Johnny is a guy who I have a lot of respect for, a good mate of mine and that really sold it to me.”
After playing school rugby for Christ’s College in Christchurch, Fletcher studied at the University of Canterbury while at the Crusaders Academy.
He was outstanding for Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC in 2025, dominating their end-of-season awards and was rewarded with a couple of Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders.
So how would Fletcher describe himself as a player?
“I pride myself on my ball-carrying. That is a strength of my game, beating defenders and getting over the gaineline, that is how you would describe me I guess.”
And what of sampling rugby in the northern hemisphere for the first time?
“That is something that really excited me, a lot of New Zealand teams tend to play a very similar way; while coming here there is a stark contrast, a different emphasis on set-piece, the kicking game, how sides attack, how they play the game is different. Being exposed to new terminology and a new view of the game, it is a good chance for me to grow as a player
“It is stimulating – playing against different clubs from different countries is something that is exciting.”
And that starts on Friday night with a trip to south west London to take on Harlequins in a friendly before a mouthwatering block of fixtures that starts with a home URC clash against 2024 winners Glasgow Warriors, a Champions Cup showdown against Bristol Bears, a visit to France to take on European champions Bordeaux-Begles before the cut and thrust of the festive Welsh derbies.
“It is a hell of a schedule over the next couple of months – my body is fresh, and I’m looking forward to it.’
In the meantime, Fletcher has downloaded the language learning app Duolingo to try and pick up a few Welsh phrases and has managed to get a ticket to watch Wales take on the All Blacks at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
“Blair has sorted me out there, so that should be pretty cool!”