Injury-hit Scarlets sign two locks on loan

Welsh-born Harvey Cuckson and ex-England Under-20s forward Alex Groves have joined on loan

Scarlets have made two short-term loan signings for their upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) matches in South Africa.

Bath's 21-year-old Harvey Cuckson and Stormers' 24-year-old Alex Groves have joined the squad preparing for the round four and five games against the Emirates Lions and Hollywoodbets Sharks.

The two second rows will be hoping to strengthen a Scarlets side that were nilled in a league game for the first time in 18 years in their previous match against Stormers.

Scarlets are without second-row Max Douglas, Jac Price and Will Evans while loan-signing Steve Cummins has returned to Dragons.

Welsh-qualified Cuckson grew up in North Wales and joined the Bath Academy in 2022 after coming through the Worcester Warriors pathway.

He made his Bath senior debut in their Prem Cup win over Exeter last month and has featured in the opening two rounds of the English Championship for Worcester.

Groves is a former England U20s Grand Slam winner and has had spells with Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks, featuring for the Sharks in the Premiership Cup.

Born in South Africa, the 24-year-old stands at 6ft 9in and joined the Stormers ahead of this season.

Scarlets' first-choice locks Jake Ball and Sam Lousi have travelled with the squad.