New contract for Samson Lee

Scarlets are delighted to announce that long-serving prop Samson Lee has signed a new contract.

The 30-year-old tight-head made his Scarlets debut 11 years ago and has gone to play 164 matches for the club and won 45 caps for Wales.

He recently made his return from a serious Achilles injury for Llandovery in the Indigo Premiership, having worked tirelessly on his recovery over the last 14 months.

A PRO12 title winner with the Scarlets, Lee is a player widely regarded as one of the strongest scrummagers in the Welsh game and will be competing with fellow Wales international Sam Wainwright and Harri O’Connor for the No.3 jersey next season.

He said: “It has been a challenging period for me, lots of ups and downs getting back to full fitness, so it was great to finally get out there for those 40 minutes for Llandovery a couple of weeks ago.

“Scarlets is my home club, I came through the Academy here and have some fantastic memories in the jersey. I’m grateful for the faith the club has shown in me, I’m only 30 and feel I still have a lot to offer.

“There is a big summer ahead now, working hard towards the new season, individually and as a squad to build on what we have achieved over the last couple of months. With a lot of young players having put their hands up this season it is an exciting time to be involved.”

Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “It was fantastic to see Samson back on the field again, he is someone who has put in a huge amount of work to get back to fitness after that Achilles injury he picked up in South Africa last year.

“Sams is an experienced international, which is invaluable in helping bring through the crop of young front-rowers we have at the club. He is also a player who has proven himself against the best in the game and at 30, there is a lot more to come from him. We are delighted he has agreed a new deal.”

Lee’s new contract announcement follows those of Ryan Elias, Joe Roberts, Ioan Nicholas, Eddie James, Morgan Jones, Jac Price, Sam Wainwright and Kemsley Mathias.