By Gareth James
WillGriff John says family reasons and a desire to be playing a vibrant band of rugby led him to sign for the Scarlets for next season from Sale.
The prop – who came close to his first cap last season before the lockdown stalled his ambitions – would have been outside the eligibility category for the next campaign had he remained in England.
But the tight-head has decided against renewing his contract at Sale in preference of a move to Parc y Scarlets.
John, 28, was selected by Wayne Pivac to start against Scotland in last year’s Six Nations but was denied the chance to make his debut as the pandemic brought the tournament to a halt.
He was subsequently left out of Wales’ autumn squad and is eager to return to the Test environment by impressing at Scarlets.
“Scarlets are a team known for playing an exciting style of rugby based on a strong set-piece and I am looking forward to joining up with the team in the summer,” said John.
“I have a young family now so it will be nice to be closer to home after being away from Wales for a number of years.”
John displayed his scrummaging mettle in the Championship with Doncaster Knights, which led Sale to lure the forward to Manchester in 2017.
He has made 82 appearances in total for Sharks, with whom he claimed the Premiership Rugby Cup and qualification for the Champions Cup last season.
“WillGriff is a player who has built a strong reputation in the Premiership with the Sharks and it is great that we are able to bring him back to Welsh rugby,” said Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney.
“He is hungry to get back into the international set-up. He is a player who will add a lot to our squad and we look forward to welcoming him to Parc y Scarlets in the summer.”
John’s move comes after Scarlets prop Werner Kruger has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 16-year career.
The South African international prop has made more than a century of appearances for the Blue Bulls province, Bulls Super Rugby side and also the Scarlets, having been a key member of the squad since his arrival in west Wales five years ago.
Capped four times by the Springboks, Kruger has made 122 appearances in a Scarlets jersey and was part of the squad that clinched the Guinness PRO12 title in 2017.
Kruger turned 36 earlier this month and admits the time is right to hang up his playing boots.
“You hear the statement ‘You know when you know’ and you never really understand until it comes across your path,” he said.
“I feel very privileged and very blessed to have been able to have played this game that we love for the past 16-plus years.
“Rugby has been a passion of mine from being a young kid growing up, dreaming of playing for the Springboks and it has been a real privilege to have played for so long.