Scarlets have strengthened their front-row options with the signing of experienced tight-head prop Chris Apoua.
The Samoan prop brings considerable experience to Parc y Scarlets having represented Northland and Southland at provincial level in New Zealand as well as playing Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika.
A powerful and mobile tighthead, Apoua combines his set-piece work with a strong carrying game and drive to get involved around the field – attributes that fit strongly with the way Scarlets want to play.
Born and raised in Auckland and of Samoan heritage, Apoua made his provincial debut with Northland in 2016 during the NPC season before spending four seasons with Southland and then stepping up to Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika.
Weighing 119kg, with 85 senior rugby appearances in New Zealand across provincial NPC and Super Rugby, Apoua anchored a solid platform for his club last season helping the club maintain an 89.5% own scrum success rate and with an individual tackle efficiency of 86.5%.
Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Chris gives us something we’ve been very clear we need within the squad with power and physicality at tight-head. He brings experience from a different and demanding rugby environment that we believe will benefit the wider group.
“He’s a strong scrummager and a real competitor and what particularly attracted us is what he can give us around the field. He’s a powerful ball carrier, gets himself involved in the game and has the ability to get us across the gain-line.
“That’s important to how we want to play. We want a pack that can put teams under pressure at set-piece but can also contribute to generating quick ball and giving our attack momentum.
“We’ve spoken a lot about creating greater competition within the squad. Nobody should feel the Scarlets jersey belongs to them and bringing Chris into the group strengthens that competition in an important position.
“Chris clearly wants to contribute to what we’re building here and lend his experience to our forward pack. We’re really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the group.”
Chris Apoua said: “I’m really excited to join the Scarlets and take on the fresh challenge of playing in the URC and EPCR competitions across Europe and South Africa. Scarlets is a proud club with a deep history and strong values and carries a reputation in New Zealand as having super passionate fans and a community entrenched in rugby. That’s something I want to be a part of.
“I know there’s plenty of competition in the front row and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the squad. I hope my experience will add to something more to Scarlets and help the team be successful. There’s clearly plenty of energy and ambition around Parc y Scarlets and I’m looking forward to the new season and making a mark.”
Davies believes Apoua’s arrival will also complement the Scarlets’ long-standing commitment to developing more Welsh forward talent.
“Developing Welsh players isn’t something we just talk about at Scarlets. We’ve demonstrated it over many years and it remains fundamental to who we are. It will always be at the heart of this club.
“Young players need competition. They need experienced players from different rugby backgrounds around them, to be challenged every day and to understand that a Scarlets shirt has to be earned.
“For us, selective recruitment from outside Wales has to have a clear rugby purpose and be balanced and purposeful – making the collective stronger. Chris will contribute significantly to the environment around our Welsh players and we’re delighted to welcome him to Parc y Scarlets.”
Chris Apoua’s signing further bolsters the 2026-27 senior squad currently preparing for the start of the new campaign.
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 have all signed new deals, while new recruits include fly-half Gareth Anscombe, prop 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.
Scarlets open their URC campaign with a mouth-watering Welsh derby against Anscombe’s former club Cardiff Rugby on Saturday, September 26 (kick off 7.45pm). Tickets for this game can be purchased HERE along with season memberships for 2026-27.