Endangered Scarlets make Eddie James admission as they hold on to Wales centre

Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies admits that Wales centre Eddie James signing a new deal is significant for the club, who are battling the Ospreys for the WRU West Wales licence.

The inside centre, who stands at 6ft 4in and weighs 104kg, is one of Wales’ most explosive ball-carriers and has played 47 times for the Scarlets and 11 times for his country.

Davies says it’s important to showcase Carmarthen-born James, 24, as someone who came through the Scarlets’ ranks and achieved his ambitions with the club.

“Keeping Eddie at Parc y Scarlets is a very significant signing for our club, and we are delighted he will continue his rugby journey with us. Having players like Eddie at the heart of what we’re building is every bit as important as new players coming into the squad.

“We’re proud of our ethos of developing our own players, and we want to give our young Welsh players an environment in which they know they can achieve their ambitions in a Scarlets jersey.

“Eddie has come through our pathway, represented Wales through the age grades, and is now an established international player. That’s a journey we want other young players to mirror across our region and to be able to see and believe in.

“The exciting thing with Eddie is that there is still so much more to come from him. He’s only 24 and has outstanding physical qualities. He’s big, powerful and explosive, but he’s also got the skill-set to play the type of rugby we’re building here.

“Eddie has already achieved a lot, but his best rugby should still be ahead of him, and it’s great that he sees the Scarlets as the place to deliver it.

“We’re building around a strong core of Scarlets-developed players, adding quality and experience around them and creating genuine competition throughout the group,” said Davies.

James, who still had a year left on his existing deal, says he is looking forward to getting back into pre-season training next week following his summer exploits with Steve Tandy’s squad.

“Growing up in the region and supporting the Scarlets as a youngster, the club means a huge amount to me. It’s home to me, so it was an easy decision to extend my contract, and I am delighted to be staying on at Parc y Scarlets.

“It’s an exciting season ahead for us. The new signings have added to the talent we already have, and there’s a clear ambition about where we want to go as a group. There’s competition building, and that will push standards and make us a better team.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in with the boys next week, getting my head down in training and building towards a massive opening URC game of the season against Cardiff here at the Parc. It would be great to have a big crowd to kick off the new chapter,” he said.