Wales centre Eddie James extends contract to stay with Scarlets

Wales international centre Eddie James has committed his future to the Scarlets, signing a new contract that will keep one of Welsh rugby's most exciting young talents at Parc y Scarlets.

The new deal represents a significant statement for the west Wales club as it continues to invest in a squad focused on competing hard in the BKT United Rugby Championship and EPCR Challenge Cup.

James, is a shining example of development within the Scarlets region which has taken him from his grassroots home club of Carmarthen Quins to the international stage.

From Carmarthen, James played his junior rugby for Carmarthen Quins before starring for Coleg Sir Gâr and coming through the ranks of the Academy to play for Wales U18s and U20s and then establishing himself in the Scarlets senior side.

Standing at 6ft 4in and weighing in at 104kg, James brings a point of difference to the Scarlets midfield. He is one of the most explosive and dynamic ball carriers in Welsh rugby, with slick hands and a strong defensive game.  He has become one of Wales’ leading midfield operators, making his Test debut against the Springboks in 2024 and has gone on to win 11 caps for his country.

Still only 24, James has already racked up 53 matches in a Scarlets jersey, making an instant impact with a try on his URC debut against Edinburgh and is viewed as an important part of the side the club is building for the coming seasons.

Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “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 some 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."

Eddie James said: "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 and 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.”

James is the latest player to have signed a new contract ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, adding to a list that includes 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.

The club have also added 10 new signings to their roster - fly-half Gareth Anscombe, props Chris Apoua and 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.