Sam Lousi extends his Scarlets journey

Sam Lousi extends his Scarlets journey

Scarlets are delighted to announce that experienced second row Sam Lousi has extended his stay at his West Wales club by signing a new contract.

Since in 2019, Sam has become one of the most recognisable and respected figures within the Scarlets squad, earning a reputation as a fierce competitor, powerful ball carrier and player capable of producing dominant performances at the highest level.

A fans’ favourite at Parc y Scarlets, the dynamic 34-year-old lock has made 112 appearances for the club and played a major role in some of the region’s biggest performances over recent seasons through his physicality, athleticism and presence around the field.

Sam’s influence goes beyond his physicality alone. His understanding of the game, ability to move the ball before contact and offloading skillset have made him a unique threat within the Scarlets forward pack and an important part of the attacking style the team wants to play.

Lousi also brings invaluable experience and leadership to the squad, helping drive standards on and off the field and will continue to be key figure in Scarlets squad as the team builds going into the new season.

Speaking after signing his new deal, Sam Lousi said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my past seven years with this great club and my family are very happy to be staying in West Wales in a region they call home.

“This club means a huge amount to me and my family and I still feel I have a lot to give.

“I love representing the Scarlets and running out in front of the supporters here. The connection I’ve had with the fans since I arrived has always meant a lot to me. We are a strong, close-knit community here at the Scarlets.

“There is real competition building within the squad, good players coming in and a lot of hunger within the group to improve and push forward next season.

“I’m excited to be part of that and can’t wait to get back out there.”

Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Keeping Sam at our club was important for us because of the qualities he brings to the team and the experience he has within our environment. He is an exceptional professional and we are delighted he will continue his rugby journey with us at Scarlets.

“Sam Lousi fit and performing at his best, is one of the most impactful second rows in the league. He brings physicality, aggression, gain line presence and a real edge to the team.

“What people can sometimes overlook is his rugby intelligence and skillset. For a big man, his understanding of space and his ability to free his hands and create opportunities for people around him are outstanding qualities.

“Our supporters connect strongly with players who compete emotionally and physically for the jersey and Sam has always done that.

“We are also increasing both the quality and competition within our second-row group and that is important for where we want to go as a squad.

“Strong competition drives standards and performance and we believe Sam’s experience alongside the younger and newer players coming into the environment will be important for us next season.”

Lousi reached a major milestone for the club when he made his 100th Scarlets appearance against Pau in the Investec Champions Cup in January in front of a packed home crowd at Parc y Scarlets.

The Tongan international began his professional career in rugby league with NRL side the New Zealand Warriors before switching codes and starring in Super Rugby for both the Waratahs and Hurricanes ahead of his move to West Wales in 2019.

The Scarlets have already confirmed the signings of Corey Domachowski, Harvey Cuckson, John McKee and George Roberts ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, while a number of key Scarlets players have also been secured at Parc y Scarlets on new deals. Further announcements regarding recruitment, retention, coaching and the wider rugby programme will follow in the coming weeks.

ENDS

Sam Lousi yn ymestyn ei gyfnod gyda’r Scarlets

Mae’r Scarlets yn falch iawn o gyhoeddi bod y clo profiadol Sam Lousi wedi ymestyn ei gyfnod gyda’r clwb ac wedi arwyddo cytundeb newydd.

Ers 2019 mae Sam wedi datblygu yn un o’r ffigyrau mwyaf adnabyddus ac uchel ei barch ymhlith chwaraewyr y Scarlets, gan ennill clod fel cystadleuydd arbennig, cariwr pêl cryf ac yn chwaraewr sy’n meddu ar y talent o gynhyrchu perfformiadau cadarn ar y lefel uchaf.

Un ffefryn gyda’r cefnogwyr ym Mharc y Scarlets, mae’r clo deinamig 34 mlwydd oed wedi chwarae 112 o gemau i’r clwb ac wedi chwarae rhan annatod yn rhai o berfformiadau mawr y clwb dros y tymhorau diweddar trwy ei gryfder, ei allu athletaidd a’i bresenoldeb o amgylch y cae.

Mae dylanwad Sam yn mynd tu hwnt i’w allu corfforol yn unig. Mae ei ddealltwriaeth o’r gêm, ei allu i symud y bêl cyn y dacl a’i waith dadlwytho wedi ei wneud yn fygythiad ym mhac y Scarlets ac yn rhan allweddol o steil ymosodol y mae’r tîm eisiau chwarae.

Daw â phrofiad ac arweinyddiaeth i’r grwp hefyd, gan osod safonau ar ac oddi ar y cae ac fe fydd yn parhau yn ffigwr pwysig yng ngharfan y Scarlets wrth i’r tîm adeiladu at y tymor newydd.

Mewn ymateb i’r cytundeb newydd, dywedodd Sam Lousi: “Rwyf wedi mwynhau’r saith mlynedd diwethaf yn fawr iawn gyda’r clwb yma ac mae’r teulu yn hapus iawn i aros yng ngorllewin Cymru mewn rhanbarth y maent yn ei alw’n adre.

“Mae’r clwb yma yn golygu lot i fi a’r teulu ac rwy’n teimlo bod digon gyda fi i’w gynnig o hyd.

“Rwy’n caru cynrychioli’r Scarlets a rhedeg i’r cae o flaen y cefnogwyr yma. Mae’r cysylltiad yr wyf wedi ei gael gyda’r cefnogwyr ers cyrraedd wedi golygu lot i fi. Ry’n ni’n gymuned agos a chrys yma yn y Scarlets.

“Mae yna gystadleuaeth go iawn yn datblygu yn y garfan, mae yna chwarae da yn ymuno ac mae yna lot o chwant o fewn i grwp i wella ac i wthio ymlaen tymor nesaf.

“Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at fod yn rhan o hynny ac yn awchu i fod yn ôl ar y cae.”

Dywedodd Nigel Davies, Cyfarwyddwr Rygbi Dros Dro y Scarlets: “Roedd cadw Sam yn ein clwb yn bwysig iawn oherwydd mae e’n dod â lot fawr o rhinweddau i’r tîm a phrofiad i’w amgylchedd. Mae e’n chwaraewr o fri ac ry’n ni’n falch iawn ei fod yn parhau â’i siwrne rygbi yma gyda’r Scarlets.

“Mae Sam Lousi holliach ac yn perfformio ar ei orau gyda’r goreuon ymhlith ail reng y gynghrair. Mae e’n gorfforol, mae e’n ymosodol ac mae e’n cynnig mantais go iawn i’r tîm.

“Yr hyn mae pobl weithiau yn anghofio yw bod ganddo ddeallusrwydd rygbi hefyd. Am gawr o ddyn mae ganddo ddealltwriaeth arbennig o’r lle sydd ganddo ar y cae, ac mae ganddo allu i rhyddhau ei ddwylo a chreu cyfleoedd i bobl o’i amgylch sy’n wych.

“Mae ein cefnogwyr yn cysylltu’n gryf â’n chwaraewyr sy’n cystadlu’n emosiynol ac yn gorfforol dros y crys ac mae Sam wedi gwneud hynny.

“Ry’n ni hefyd yn ychwanegu ansawdd a chystadleuaeth i’r grwp ail reng ac mae hynny’n bwysig iawn i lle ry’n ni eisiau mynd fel carfan.

“Mae cystadleuaeth gref yn gwella safonau a pherfformiadau ac ry’n ni o’r farn bod profiad Sam ymhlith chwaraewyr iau a newydd y garfan yn hollbwysig.”

Chwaraeodd Lousi ei ganfed gêm i’r cwb yn erbyn Section Paloise yng Nghwpan pencampwyr Invested o flaen cefnogwyr brwdfrydig ym Mharc y Scarlets ym mis Ionawr.

Wedi cynrychioli Tonga ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol, fe ddechreuodd ei yrfa proffesiynol yn chwarae rygbi’r gynghrair gyda New Zealand Warriors yn yr NRL cyn newid i rygbi’r undeb a chwarae i’r Waratahs a’r Hurricanes yn Super Rugby cyn symud i orllewin Cymru yn 2019.

Mae’r Scarlets yn barod wedi cadarnhau bod Corey Domachowski, Harvey Cuckson, John McKee a George Roberts yn ymuno â’r clwb cyn tymor 2026-27, gyda nifer o chwaraewyr presennol wedi ymestyn eu cytundebau i aros ym Mharc y Scarlets. Fe fydd mwy o newyddion yn cael ei gyhoeddi am recriwtio, hyfforddwyr a’r rhaglen rygbi estynedig dros yr wythnosau nesaf.

DIWEDD