Hooker Harry Thomas has become the latest young home-grown talent to sign a new contract with the Scarlets.
The 21-year-old is a product of neighbouring New Dock Stars RFC, played for Llanelli Schools and progressed through the Scarlets pathway, captaining the U18s before going on to represent Wales U20s. He has gone on to shine at international level for Wales U20s and has already made his mark at senior level.
Thomas has shown his ability to influence games on both sides of the ball. A player with a high work-rate and strong physical presence, he finished the 2025 U20 Six Nations as joint leading try-scorer and was also among the competition’s leading tacklers.
He made his United Rugby Championship debut against Munster in Llanelli two years ago and has registered 10 senior appearances for the Scarlets, including six in the URC. He also captained the side in a pre-season match against Carmarthen and is a regular in the No 2 jersey for Super Rygbi Cymru champions Llandovery RFC.
Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies is excited by the potential of Thomas, one of a number of talented young front-row forwards coming through the ranks at the Scarlets.
He said: “Harry has a lot of qualities that really excite us. He’s got a huge work-rate, he’s competitive, physical and wants to influence the game.
“His profile fits our forwards set in terms of repeatedly impacting the game – through physicality, their work-rate, skill-set and the energy they bring to the team.”
“We’ve seen what Harry is capable of, and at 21 years old there’s a lot more development in him. The challenge now is turning those qualities into something he can deliver consistently within the demands at URC level, by continuing to develop his physical conditioning.
“There are also the specialist demands of playing hooker that he’ll continue to develop with strong competition and experience around him in our squad in that position.
“He’s a young player from our region who understands what representing the Scarlets means, which is really important. However, as coaches the exciting part isn’t simply where Harry has come from – it’s where he can now go.”
Harry Thomas said: “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract. As a Llanelli boy, the Scarlets means a huge amount to me and it’s been a proud moment for myself and my family to pull on the jersey at senior level.
“It’s a big season for me, there’s a lot of competition for the No. 2 jersey, but that kind of competition is what drives you as a player.
“It’s been a tough, but enjoyable couple of months of training, there’s been a good buzz in the group, a lot of new faces and young players like myself looking to push the more experienced boys.
“For myself, it’s about continuing to work hard in training, keep making those improvements in my game and hopefully I can make a mark in the pre-season matches to try and push for a place when the URC kicks off next month.”
The Scarlets will play three pre-season friendlies kicking off with a game against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday, September 5 (KO 3pm) then at Llandovery RFC against the Dragons on Friday, September 11 (KO 7pm) and a final match against Saracens on Saturday, September 18 at Parc y Scarlets (KO 7.30pm).
Thomas is among a number of players who have signed new deals ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, including Eddie James, Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Henry Thomas, Gareth Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi, Harri O’Connor, Jac Davies, Will Evans, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Gabe Hawley.
The club have also made 10 new signings – fly-half Gareth Anscombe, props Chris Apoua and Corey Domachowski, second rows Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen, hookers John McKee and George Roberts, full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor and All Black Cullen Grace.
The Scarlets’ BKT United Rugby Championship challenge kicks off on Saturday, September 26 with the visit of Cardiff to Parc y Scarlets.
Tickets for the game and for season memberships can be bought HERE