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United Rugby Championship

Scotland's Alex Craig heading to Scarlets exit and back to roots

By Neil Fissler

98 days ago

Alex Craig of Gloucester Rugby reacts during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Gloucester Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Scotland lock Alex Craig is heading towards the Scarlets exit door as he edges closer to joining Glasgow Warriors in a move that will see him play North of the Border for the first time in his career.

The Warriors have lined up an immediate deal for Dumfries-born Craig, 27, after it was announced that Richie Gray would be leaving Scotstoun at the end of November to pursue a playing opportunity abroad.

Fissler Confidential revealed last Saturday that 6’10 Gray is heading to Japan, where Steve Hansen’s Toyota Verblitz are in pole position to sign in time for the new Japan Rugby League One campaign.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree on challenge of integrating his Bok stars

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree is eager to integrate more Springboks into his team over the next couple of weeks.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree on challenge of integrating his Bok stars

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree is eager to integrate more Springboks into his team over the next couple of weeks.

Warriors boss Franco Smith, who has seen his side win two of their three URC games this season and are in second place, four points behind leaders Leinster, has wasted no time finding a replacement.

Craig, who stands at 6’6, started his career at Hartpury College in the BUCS Super League before signing his first professional contract with Gloucester in February 2019.

After being promoted to the senior side the following season, he made a total of 50 appearances for the Cherry and Whites and joined the Scarlets in June 2023.

He has played 22 games for Dwayne Peel’s side and played in the opening three games of this URC season, drawing in Benetton and then losing at home to Cardiff and Connacht.

Craig, whose ball-carrying since joining the Scarlets has had fans in South Wales raving, was one of the forgotten men in Scottish rugby before being recalled by Gregor Townsend last summer.

His appearances against the USA and Chile took his tally of caps to four, and playing for Glasgow will have him firmly on Townsend’s radar.

RugbyPass understands that Craig has agreed to the move and is just waiting for the Scarlets and the Warriors to reach an agreement over the terms of his exit before the move is sealed.

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Comments on RugbyPass

NB 9 minutes ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

Thanks - always enjoy a bit of biltong!

10 Go to comments

NB 9 minutes ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

Mentioned above by another poster - will have to take a look!

10 Go to comments

NB 10 minutes ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

Thanks W. glad you enjoyed it.

I wouldn't place too much stock in Carlu Sadie. He still hasn't established himself as starter for UBB ahead of Ben Tameifuna and big Ben is now 33. Fouche I can credit.

10 Go to comments

NB 13 minutes ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

There's always a perennial question about 'who angles first - THP or LHP?' but Frans has always been able to handle that pressure in the past. Rodd is good but not great and it was a surprise to see him coming on so strong...

Agree Fouche looks to have a few Bok caps in him, but how many?

10 Go to comments

NB 15 minutes ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

Yes. you can be sure Malherbe, Koch and Kitshoff will not make 2027. The other may, or may not. Bongi won't, Marx might.

I'm actually amazed Brok Harris is still a reall part of the Stormers squad, he has been goign for what seems like decades now!

Atm I think a lot depends on Thomas Du Toit, and poss on both sides of the scrum. He is arguably more effective than big Frans at THP now and better than anyone outside the Ox on the other side.

As you say aligining the u 20s better with thesenioe team's priorities would be a great move!

10 Go to comments

Bob Salad II 24 minutes ago

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend: 'The pain of losing can make you better'

They have to come good at some point, don’t they? They’ve been in pretty solid form lately and the Ireland game should be a cracker and I think Scotland will have enough to get the win.

For this Englishman - and irrespective of how the Ireland and then France games go, England have to beat Scotland this year. I think France will be too strong and England might catch Ireland cold first game, but for me, they have to beat Scotland.

Do so, and Borthwick may just hang on to his job.

1 Go to comments

GH 28 minutes ago

Antoine Dupont returns in 42-man provisional France Six Nations squad

for once, France might be a favorite in the competition over three outsiders as, in my opinion, Ireland and England have lessened and Scotland might be able to surprise its opponents in more than one game. Nothing is done and the first day will give more certainties I guess...

12 Go to comments

Bob Salad II 29 minutes ago

Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?

Good insight in your post though 👍

9 Go to comments

Philou 31 minutes ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

I'm quite keen to see how Asenathi Ntlabakanye develops this year, if he can get his conditioning right.

10 Go to comments

RedWarrior 52 minutes ago

Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?

England first match is huge. TBH England did far better against NZ than Ireland did, and SA had to dig into their experience to win against England in an even game. Win the first two and its game on!

Scotland have France/England away and Ireland at home. Hard to see a win against France in Paris last match.

9 Go to comments

RedWarrior 57 minutes ago

Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?

Apologies, Sexton drop goal in Paris, you are correct, I'll edit my comment.

9 Go to comments

RedWarrior 57 minutes ago

Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?

I think the England match in Dublin will be 50:50. Last year England were better but Ireland had opportunities to win ugly. Ireland will need to win at least one of those 3 matches ugly. NZ/SA can do it, Ireland must learn.

Scotland away will be fascinating, but with Ireland scoring less it leaves them a little vulnerable to an attacking threat like Scotland.

Having France second last game suits Ireland. Might suit France also, but if Ireland are in contention with 3 matches in the legs they will be extremely hard to beat in Dublin at that stage.

I also think Wales and Italy away are tough too.

I agree that Sexton's influence was underestimated. It appears he was involved in the planning, coaching and ruthless implementation of the standards, especially attacking, off and on the field. O'Driscoll more gifted perhaps but for influence and effect Sexton is looking like the Irish GOAT.

I watched LaRoche v Leinster. The supporters were hammering that metal stand and you could see Prendergast pacing over and back in the dressing room trying to calm his nerves. He did OK. Interesting to see who starts against England.

9 Go to comments

SK 1 hour ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

What is clear is that some players will be too old and will likely not make it. Koch is on the wane and will certainly be under pressure in the next squad. Malherbe has not played much for the Stormers in the past 3 seasons and has often been on physios table. Kitschoff may never be the same player again and is also no spring chicken. Its clear that Du Toit is hungry, he has had to sit out both the world cup triumphs in the last 5 years. Louw is journeyman with less experience on the international stage but can take up the mantle and Steenekamp is building caps nicely. Behind them Fouche is showing promising signs, Ntlabakanye looks good for the Lions and has put in some big shifts recently and Mchunu already has a few caps but needs some time in the Sharks Jersey. The thing about the SA scrum though is its also heavily reliant on the guys in the back. Etzebeth and Mostert add alot with their technique and Snyman adds plenty of Heft as well. The Bok scrum depends on a powerful 8 man effort. They also need a couple of their young hookers to come to the party. South African Franchises have decided to stock their ranks with older players. Nyakane and Koch went to the Sharks and Brok Harris is still playing an important role for the Stormers. You cant develop depth if franchise coaches wont give young props a chance. The other problem is the SA U20 side is a shambles. They play nothing like the Boks. Their scrum was massacred at the U20 championships and its clear the youth development structures have fallen behind England, France, Ireland and the Rugby Championship teams.

10 Go to comments

Tom 1 hour ago

Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?

I don't think so. They have an outside chance if the stars align. They're definitely capable of beating all the other teams but I don't see them doing it. Likely a 3rd place.

9 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?

You’re spot on with the way the fixtures fall each year and that gives ireland an advantage, but I think they might need it. Much depends on Prendergast and whether he can seriously begin to fill the undoubted void left by you know who! Big boots to fill and it’s very early for him but he might just surprise. Then come France, with du Pont back they will be formidable and no mistake. For Scotland, they need to over perform their ranking and it’s been a very long time since they’ve achieved that. It’s possible, just, but I won’t be betting on it.

Straight fight between Ireland and France for me, and that home advantage might just be enough to see them…home!

9 Go to comments

Flankly 1 hour ago

Will the Springboks Bomb Squad bomb out before 2027?

Good piece, Nick. Thanks.

Agree. Rassie blooded a good number of new faces last year, but I was surprised that we did not see more of them in the front row. That's a problem for the RWC, as props need experience. Rassie seems to have a belief in the old guard.

Not sure about the refereeing of Malherbe this last weekend. It looked to me as though the loose head was shifting his hips out and not scrumming straight. One of the commentators also remarked on this. Having said that, Frans did not seem to have an answer, which you would hope he would. And whatever trickery was afoot, Fouche did have an answer.

10 Go to comments

CN 1 hour ago

Ex-PWR CEO Belinda Moore lands senior role with Welsh Rugby Union

A very sound and safe appointment, let's hope she gets the appropriate support

1 Go to comments

ch 2 hours ago

‘Like or it not, this Lions squad will be Irish. They deserve to dominate.’

No arguments with the content of the article. The style of writing is another matter . The first paragraph almost put me off reading the rest of the article. Also the dig at English supporters is unnecessary.

27 Go to comments

ch 2 hours ago

‘Like or it not, this Lions squad will be Irish. They deserve to dominate.’

You appear to have 2 hookers on the bench