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Dumfries-born lock Alex Craig making his mark in Wales
Alex Craig is an “old school” rugby player enjoying a new lease of life.
The second row’s move to the Scarlets has seen him secure a return to the Scotland squad, with his fine form earning him a call up for the Six Nations.
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He is certainly a man at the top of his game right now, having produced his best display yet for the Welsh region in last weekend’s dramatic BKT URC victory over Benetton Rugby.
His stats speak for themselves. He put in 19 carries for 34 metres against the Italians, beating nine defenders along the way, while also making 13 tackles and winning four lineouts.
After five years at Gloucester, he is really making his mark in his new surroundings, having come on board last summer.
Now he will be looking to produce another big display this weekend when he goes up against a number of his Scotland squad colleagues, with Glasgow the visitors to Parc y Scarlets on Saturday evening.
Reflecting on life in west Wales, the 26-year-old said: “I am enjoying it. The boys have made me feel very welcome, so it’s been quite an easy transition. It’s been good.”
The Dumfries-born Craig linked up with Gloucester after shining while playing for the nearby Hartpury College and in international age-grade rugby, signing his first professional contract in 2019.
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Catching the eye at Kingsholm, he was soon called up by Scotland and won two caps off the bench during the 2021 Six Nations, but his progress was then hampered by injury.
“I tore my hamstring and then went on to a few more injuries after that,” he says.
“The last two years before this season, I struggled to stay fit.
“It was quite frustrating because there’s not an awful lot you can do.
“I am grateful to be fit now. I’ve managed to string games together, which is important for me.
“So personally it’s been great from that point of view. It helps you as a player going from game to game rather than playing a couple and then being out for a while.
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“It builds confidence and your ability to play.”
The 6ft 6ins, 18st 10lbs Craig was called up by Scotland midway through the Six Nations following an injury to fellow second row Richie Gray.
“It was great to be back involved in the squad,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve been striving towards.
“It’s been a couple of years since I was last involved, so to get back in the mix and see some of the boys up there I haven’t seen for a while was great.
“Staying fit is obviously crucial for that. You can build performances and coaches are aware of you if you are doing well.”
Craig is following in the illustrious footsteps of John Barclay as a Scottish international forward at the Scarlets.
“I was a big fan of his when I was younger,” he reveals.
“I was obviously aware he was at the Scarlets. You see him up on the wall here, having played more than 100 games.
“I have heard him speak very highly of the Scarlets and saying it was the favourite time of his career being here.”
Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel was full of praise for Craig’s big ball-carrying display in the 16-13 victory over Benetton.
“I thought that was his best game for us,” said the former Wales scrum-half.
“He is an old school lock in many ways. He gets round and does his work, with high carries, high ruck numbers.
“He had a good bit of energy about him. I thought he was excellent.
“I am really pleased for him. He is a great guy and hopefully there are many more of those to come.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments