Pivac signs up popular prop Pete ‘The Meat’ for another year
CULT-FIGURE Pete ‘The Meat’ Edwards has signed a fresh contract with the Scarlets.
The 35-year-old prop is a hugely popular character out west and coach Wayne Pivac has decided he needs his experience for another year with top tighthead Samson Lee likely to be away on Wales duty.
“Next season is promising to be an exciting one for the Scarlets and I’m pleased that I’ll be able to play a part in that,” said Edwards.
“Having said that, we’re also focused on the task at hand for the remainder of the season of reaching our pre-season aims and making the Guinness Pro12 play-offs.”
Scarlets general manager Jon Daniels said: “Pete has been a stalwart in the last few seasons, offering much needed experience and support to the emerging international talents of Samson and the like.
“Retaining players of Pete’s experience is important as we look to continue the development of young props at the region.”
Edwards is among three props to have signed new deals with homegrown talent Wyn Jones and Australian-born but Welshqualified Dylan Evans also putting pen to paper.
“Both Wyn and Dylan have worked exceptionally hard and are looking to challenge for regular game time in the regional shirt,” said Daniels.
Jones, 24, and 27-year-old Evans, who packed down for a Combined New South WalesQueensland Country side which took on the Lions in 2013, have been given two year extensions.
“I’ve really settled in here and I’m loving life in Wales and with the Scarlets,” said Evans.
He has made 14 appearances for the Scarlets, far making his first competitive start against Benetton Treviso last month while Jones has already seen European Champions Cup action against Leicester Tigers and three-in-a-row winners Toulon.
“I have supported the Scarlets from a young age, having started playing rugby for Llandovery Under-7s, and I’m looking forward to build on the experience I’ve gained over the last three years here at Parc y Scarlets.”
Scarlets will gain an automatic place in next season’s Champions Cup if they beat Newport Gwent Dragons in the Pro12 on Saturday during Judgement Day at the Principality Stadium.
They lie fifth in the table after dropping out of the top-four title play-off zone for the first time this campaign following backto-back home defeats, against Cardiff Blues and a record home thumping at the hands of classy league champions Glasgow Warriors.