Steff sets his sights on European elite
STEFF Hughes is looking forward to tackling the best Europe has to offer after signing a new deal with the Scarlets.
The talented centre has put pen to paper on a new contract after establishing himself as a leading figure at the West Wales region.
“This is my home club,” he said. “I remember going to watch games at Stradey when I was young and I’m hugely proud to pull on the Scarlets jersey.
“Signing a new contract was an easy decision to make.
“As a group we know we haven’t achieved what we wanted this season, but there is a massive amount of talent in the squad and having qualified for next season’s Champions Cup we are looking forward to being back challenging the best sides in Europe again.
“There are a lot of young players who have taken their opportunities this year and are pushing the senior players for places.
“We are aiming to finish the season well in the last two matches in the Rainbow Cup and hopefully we can welcome our supporters back to Parc y Scarlets soon.
“We’ve missed them this season.” Hughes came through the Academy system at the Scarlets and now in his eighth season is closing on a century of appearances in a Scarlets jersey.
A former Wales U20s captain, he made his senior debut in a LV=Cup match against Saracens in 2013 and after recovering from a major knee injury has gone on to play 98 times for the Scarlets.
The 27-year-old centre has worn the captain’s armband when club captain Ken Owens has been on international duty for the last two seasons, establishing himself as a regular in the Scarlets midfield.
He has managed this despite the abundance of talent the region possess in the centre, with the likes of Welsh internationals Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Johnny Williams and Tyler Morgan all vying for places at various points in the last few campaigns.
Hughes’s value to the Scarlets was proved when he scored two tries in the comeback win over Connacht which ensured they will be playing Heineken Champions Cup rugby again next season.
Scarlets general manager of rugby
Jon Daniels said: “Steff embodies what we are about as a club.
“He is a leader in our group and continues to drive standards on and off the field.
“He has shown his character and resilience by coming back from a serious injury and for the last couple of years he has proved to be one of the most consistent performers week in, week out in Welsh rugby.
“We are delighted that he has resigned with the Scarlets.”
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