Alex Craig is an “old fashioned” rugby participant having fun with a brand new lease of life.
The second row’s transfer to the Scarlets has seen him safe a return to the Scotland squad, together with his effective type incomes him a name up for the Six Nations.
He’s actually a person on the high of his recreation proper now, having produced his greatest show but for the Welsh area in final weekend’s dramatic BKT URC victory over Benetton Rugby.
His stats communicate for themselves. He put in 19 carries for 34 metres in opposition to the Italians, beating 9 defenders alongside the way in which, whereas additionally making 13 tackles and profitable 4 lineouts.
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After 5 years at Gloucester, he’s actually making his mark in his new environment, having come on board final summer season.
Now he will likely be trying to produce one other huge show this weekend when he goes up in opposition to plenty of his Scotland squad colleagues, with Glasgow the guests to Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.
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Reflecting on life in west Wales, the 26-year-old mentioned: “I’m having fun with it. The boys have made me really feel very welcome, so it’s been fairly a straightforward transition. It’s been good.”
The Dumfries-born Craig linked up with Gloucester after shining whereas enjoying for the close by Hartpury Faculty and in worldwide age-grade rugby, signing his first skilled contract in 2019.
Catching the attention at Kingsholm, he was quickly referred to as up by Scotland and gained two caps off the bench through the 2021 Six Nations, however his progress was then hampered by harm.
“I tore my hamstring after which went on to some extra accidents after that,” he says.
“The final two years earlier than this season, I struggled to remain match.
“It was fairly irritating as a result of there’s not an terrible lot you are able to do.
“I’m grateful to be match now. I’ve managed to string video games collectively, which is vital for me.
“So personally it’s been nice from that perspective. It helps you as a participant going from recreation to recreation relatively than enjoying a pair after which being out for some time.
“It builds confidence and your potential to play.”
The 6ft 6ins, 18st 10lbs Craig was referred to as up by Scotland halfway via the Six Nations following an harm to fellow second row Richie Grey.
“It was nice to be again concerned within the squad,” he mentioned.
“It’s one thing I’ve been striving in direction of.
“It’s been a few years since I used to be final concerned, so to get again within the combine and see among the boys up there I haven’t seen for some time was nice.
“Staying match is clearly essential for that. You may construct performances and coaches are conscious of you in case you are doing effectively.”
Craig is following within the illustrious footsteps of John Barclay as a Scottish worldwide ahead on the Scarlets.
“I used to be an enormous fan of his after I was youthful,” he reveals.
“I used to be clearly conscious he was on the Scarlets. You see him up on the wall right here, having performed greater than 100 video games.
“I’ve heard him communicate very extremely of the Scarlets and saying it was the favorite time of his profession being right here.”
Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel was stuffed with reward for Craig’s huge ball-carrying show within the 16-13 victory over Benetton.
“I believed that was his greatest recreation for us,” mentioned the previous Wales scrum-half.
“He’s an old style lock in some ways. He will get spherical and does his work, with excessive carries, excessive ruck numbers.
“He had little bit of power about him. I believed he was glorious.
“I’m actually happy for him. He is a superb man and hopefully there are numerous extra of these to return.”
