Scarlets are delighted to announce the signing of Australian prop Archer Holz for the coming season.
The 24-year-old tight-head made a rapid rise through the ranks in Australia; his powerful scrummaging performances in the semi-professional Shute Shield earning him a contract with Super Rugby side the Brumbies.
He joined the Waratahs where he was capped by Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup in 2022 and after a spell in the Top 14 with French giants La Rochelle, returned to the Waratahs only for a shoulder injury to rule him out for the campaign.
Archer will arrive in Llanelli in November and becomes the latest addition to the senior Scarlets squad for the 2024-25 campaign following the signings of Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Max Douglas (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Ellis Mee (Nottingham), Blair Murray (Canterbury) and Henry Thomas (Castres Olympique).
Archer Holz said: “I’m really looking forward to the move to join the Scarlets. I’m excited to develop my game in a different system and after having a taste of European rugby with La Rochelle, I think my game suits rugby in the northern hemisphere.
“It has been a frustrating year but I’m excited for what’s to come at Scarlets and can’t wait to get started and meet up with my team-mates.
“It seems an exciting team is being put together to grow and build for success in the future.”
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Archer is a young prop who we’ve been keeping an eye on for a while. He has a strong set-piece game, a powerful scrummager who has been highly rated coming through the ranks in Australia and has had experience in the northern hemisphere with one of Europe’s top clubs, La Rochelle.
“He will add more depth to our front-row pool here and we look forward to welcoming him into the group when he links up with us in November.”
Scarlets kick-off their BKT United Rugby Championship season against Benetton in Treviso on Saturday, September 21 before welcoming Cardiff to Parc y Scarlets for a mouthwatering derby a week later to open their home campaign.
Tickets for that match are on sale at tickets.scarlets.wales or by ringing the Scarlets ticket office on 01554 292939
Archer Holz
Age: 24
Height: 188cm
Weight: 122kg
Honours: Australia A
Previous Clubs: Brumbies, Waratahs, La Rochelle