As Scarlets continue their preparations for the 2025-26 season, versatile back Ioan Nicholas has extended his stay at the club with a new contract.
Nicholas was once the youngest ever player to represent the Scarlets when he featured against Jersey Reds at the age of seventeen, but having turned 27 in April, he is now one of the senior members of Dwayne Peel’s squad.
Last season, he joined the Scarlets ‘Hundred Club’, reaching a century of appearances against Aviron Bayonnais. He currently has 110 to his name.
Nicholas was named Supporters’ Player of the Season in 2023-24 and backed that up by playing 16 matches last term, scoring four tries.
Able to play full-back, wing or centre, he has become a vital cog in the Scarlets backline.
Catching up with Ioan during the rigours of pre-season, he said: “It’s nice to be back in after a bit of a break. We have just finished the first couple of weeks and it has been tough, especially with the heat being a big factor early on.
“There are a lot of new faces, from the academy and from other clubs – it has been a nice ‘freshen up’ and everyone is excited for the next few weeks.”
Asked about his senior status in the squad, Nicholas added: “I still feel like one of the younger boys, but I suppose I am leaning towards that having been here around 10 years now!
“I am still enjoying my rugby and looking forward to building on what we achieved last season, making the top eight of the URC and qualifying for the Champions Cup.
“We have some massive fixtures to look forward to – Munster to kick-off the season and then the likes of Bristol and Bordeaux in the Champions Cup, it is exciting for us and for the fans as well.”
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Iowz is a player who is the heartbeat of the squad, someone who contributes a massive amount on and off the field, performance-wise and to our culture.
“He is an accomplished player across the back division who delivers consistent performances week on week.
“It is clear the club means a lot to him, you could see that when he made his 100th appearance last season. He is vocal around the place and popular around the group. It is great that another home-grown player has recommitted to the club.”
Ioan joins Macs Page, Tomi Lewis, Eddie James, Joe Roberts, Sam Costelow, Kemsley Mathias, Taine Plumtree, Johnny Williams and Sam O’Connor in penning fresh senior deals.
Scarlets have also signed Wales internationals Jake Ball and Joe Hawkins, scrum-half Dane Blacker, back-rower Tristan Davies and Welsh-qualified England U20s full-back Ioan Jones in readiness for the 2025-26 campaign.