Scarlets are delighted to confirm the signing of hooker John McKee from Leinster ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 26-year-old arrives in west Wales with strong BKT United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup experience, having made 46 appearances for the reigning URC champions and Champions Cup finalists scoring five tries during his time in Dublin.
A former Ireland U18s and U20s international, McKee started out in the Ulster age-grade pathway. He then came through the Leinster Academy system before making his senior debut against the Sharks in Durban in 2022.
Since then, he has developed in one of the most competitive environments in European rugby, battling for game-time alongside British & Irish Lions hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher and has made nine appearances for Leinster this year, starting in four, including last weekend’s home win over the Lions.
With Springbok Marnus van der Merwe moving on this summer, McKee will add quality, physicality and experience to a group of Scarlets hookers that includes Wales international Ryan Elias and exciting young prospects Harry Thomas and Isaac Young.
Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “John is a player we are really excited to bring to the Scarlets because he fits exactly the type of profile we want in this squad.
“He comes from an outstanding environment at Leinster where standards are exceptionally high every single day and we believe that experience will be hugely valuable for us.
“He is physical, competitive and has proven himself at URC and Champions Cup level, despite competing against some of the best hookers in world rugby for opportunities.
“What also stood out was his hunger to come here, compete and grow his game. We want players who are ambitious, who want to challenge themselves and who are excited by where this group is heading.
“We are building genuine competition across the squad because that is what drives standards and improves performances. We have seen the positive impact that competition has had within the group over the last couple of seasons and John will add strongly to that.”
Speaking about his move to west Wales, McKee said: “I’m buzzing about the move. The opportunity to join the Scarlets was one that really excited me straight away and from the first call I had with Nigel, Dwayne and Cubby, the passion they have for the club really struck me.
“I’m looking forward to getting over there, meeting the boys, the staff, connecting with the supporters and hopefully adding to the environment.
“I was 24th man last season when the Scarlets beat Leinster in Llanelli and I remember thinking at the time how much the fans got behind the side and how passionate they were.
“This is a fresh slate for me, I have loved my time with Leinster, but like every rugby player, you want to be playing regularly.
“I know the Scarlets haven’t had the results they wanted this season, but there have been a number of close-run games and you can see the direction the team is moving in, the young talent coming through and the style of rugby they want to play. I am looking forward to playing a part in that.”
McKee is the third new signing to be announced by the Scarlets, following the news that prop Corey Domachowski (Cardiff) and lock Harvey Cuckson (Bath) will be joining the squad in the summer.
Skipper Josh Macleod, No. 8 Fletcher Anderson, flanker Dan Davis and full-back Jac Davies – who is graduating from the Senior Academy – have signed new deals with further recruitment and retention news to be announced in the coming weeks.
