Josh Macleod has been confirmed as Scarlets captain for the 2024-25 season.
The combative back-rower will take charge of the club for a second successive campaign.
From Pembrokeshire, the 27-year-old led the Scarlets to the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals in the second half of the 2022-23 season before officially taking over the armband from club legend Jonathan Davies.
A combination of injuries meant Josh only played three matches last term, but the Wales international is closing in on a return to action.
Josh has made 115 appearances for the Scarlets since his debut in 2015. His impressive displays in Scarlet saw him win his first Wales cap against Georgia in November 2022 and he was named in Wales’ 2023 Rugby World Cup training squad before being released because of a shoulder issue.
A hugely respected member of the squad, he is relishing the opportunity to lead the club again.
Josh said: “It is a massive honour for me and my family. The club has in excess of 150 years of history and to play a small part in that is a privilege.
“Personally, it has been a rocky couple of years, some pretty tough moments, but I am hoping to get back out there very, very soon. We are very close.”
Asked about the fresh look to the squad this season, Josh added: “I think someone mentioned that around 1,500 Scarlets appearances have left the club, but some of the new signings have come in and already put a stamp on the team. There is a good energy, good vibe and good buzz here and everyone is ready to rip into Treviso this weekend.
“The young talent coming through is just as exciting. Those boys have really had to step up but have handled it tremendously. The coaching staff and senior players have really got around them and they are slowly, but surely growing into serious players.”
Looking forward to next Saturday’s home opener against Cardiff, Josh continued: “Hopefully we can get this place rocking once again.”
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel added: “Josh has become a leader for us on and off the field in the last few seasons. He is from the region, has grown up supporting the Scarlets and understands what it means to represent this great club.
“He is the type of player who leads by example, he is a 100-percenter in everything he does and we need that physicality and determination – people feed off that.
“It is great to have him back in training because even in training sessions he makes so much difference to the intensity that goes on around him.
“We are looking forward to seeing him pull on the jersey again, as I am sure all the fans are.”