Scarlets are delighted to confirm that eight rising Welsh talents have signed contracts with the Senior Academy ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The Scarlets Academy has a proud tradition of producing players for the domestic and international stage with the likes of current senior squad members Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Archie Hughes, Tom Rogers, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Dan Davis and skipper Josh Macleod having all come through the age-grade ranks at the club.
Before that, the Academy has churned out international stars such as Ken Owens, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Steff Evans, Josh Adams and Gareth Davies, among many others.
The latest recruits to graduate from the junior academy are centre Gryff Watkins, back-rowers Dom Kossuth and Osian Williams, second rows Sam Williams and Kai Jones, full-back Sion Jones, wing Thomas Williams and fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones – players who have all impressed with the Scarlets U18s age-grade team.
Gryff Watkins
The centre captained Llandovery College to national success at the Principality Stadium last season. Quick, with good skills and a sharp outside break, Gryff came through the Welsh Exiles programme and is set to feature for Llandovery RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru in the coming season whilst studying at Cardiff University.
Dom Kossuth
A powerful, dynamic back-rower, Dom was part of the Scarlets U18s side that lifted the regional title. A product of Kidwelly RFC, St John Lloyd RC school and another who has been part of the successful Coleg Sir Gâr programme, the 18-year-old has already featured for Llandovery RFC.
Osian Williams
Has displayed his impressive leadership skills as captain of this year’s Scarlets U18s squad. A skilful back rower, ball-carrier and line-out forward, Osian played his junior rugby for Haverfordwest RFC and Carmarthen Athletic and has turned out for Carmarthen Quins RFC in the 2024-25 season.
Sam Williams
A product of Carmarthen Athletic RFC, Queen Elizabeth High School and Coleg Sir Gâr, Sam is a powerful second row, standing at 6ft 5in and 118kg, with an excellent skillset. Capped at U18s level. Sam will be playing with Carmarthen Quins RFC in the coming season.
Kai Jones
A standout performer for Wales U18s this season, scoring a superb interception try against Ireland, the Lampeter forward is a physical ball carrier, who can play at lock or in the back row. Kai is studying at Coleg SIr Gâr and will be linking back up with Euros Evans at Llandovery RFC.
Sion Jones
Part of the extended Wales U20s group for this summer’s World Championships, an X-factor player who is a potent try-scorer from full-back or wing. Came through the ranks of Llandovery RFC and was part of the all-conquering Llandeilo Youth squad. Another member of the Coleg Sir Gâr programme, who will be back playing at Llandovery RFC whilst studying at Swansea University.
Thomas Williams
The speedster has a background in football, but is another who knows the way to the try-line, having starred for Llandovery College on the wing. Is set to feature for Swansea University and Carmarthen Quins RFC in the 2025-26 season.
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones
The star of Llandovery College’s cup win with a sublime player-of-the-match display in Cardiff, the talented fly-half recently featured for Wales U20s at the age of 18. Will combine his studies and playing programme with Carmarthen Quins’ SRC team.
Scarlets Academy head coach Scott Sneddon said: “We are excited by the talent that is coming through our pathway with a lot of these boys already knocking on the door of senior rugby. As a coaching team we are looking forward to working with them over the coming months and years and hopefully seeing them progress to the senior squad and future honours.”
Second row Dylan Alford, who was part of the Wales U20s extended World Championship training squad, has linked up with Senior Academy full-time from RGC and will be playing with Llandovery RFC next season. The Scarlets can also confirm that Ollie Close, Will Plessis, Alfie Evans-Fecci, Ellis Payne and Kian Abraham are no longer with the Academy and everyone at the club would like to thank them and wish all five players the very best for the next chapter.
Scarlets Senior Academy 2025-26
Dylan Alford, Iori Badham, Yestyn Cook, Jac Davies, Joe Denman, Keanu Evans, Will Evans, Gabe Hawley, Ioan Jones*, Kai Jones*, Sion Jones*, Steff Jac Jones, Dom Kossuth*, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones*, Rhodri Lewis, Gabe McDonald, Josh Morse, Tom Phillips, Jac Pritchard, Elis Price, Tian Sparrow, Harry Thomas, Gryff Watkins*, Osian Williams*, Sam Williams*, Thomas Williams*, Callum Woolley, Isaac Young.
*New signings