SCARLETS have confirmed that winger Johnny McNicholl will join the region on a three-year deal.
Recently named Super Rugby’s player of the week after a career high performance, beating six defenders and making two try assists it has been confirmed that Kiwi McNicholl will make the move to West Wales later this year.
The 25-year-old winger made his debut for the Crusaders in 2013 following an outstanding season with the championship Canterbury team in the 2012 ITM Cup, in which he headed the top try scorers list with ten tries, three ahead of his nearest rival.
A versatile player, able to cover both wing and fullback McNicholl’s ability to break through tackles, a handy right footstep and acceleration make him dangerous on attack, an exciting addition to the Scarlets squad alongside international stars DTH van der Merwe and Liam Williams.
Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby, said: “We are now in a position to confirm that Johnny McNicholl will be joining the Scarlets later on this year. Johnny is an exciting young player but also brings with him vast Super Rugby experience and has proved himself on the provincial stage and is a proven try-scorer.
“As we’ve previously stated any addition to the Scarlets squad needs to add value not only on the rugby field but also in the wider squad environment.
We are building a squad over time that can compete in the Guinness PRO12 and in the top flight of European competition, which means our recruitment and development strategies are stringent.
A player of Johnny’s calibre will not only see us gain an experienced on-field player but will also aid us in the development of younger members of the squad going forward.”
Johnny McNicholl said: “This is a great opportunity to experience living and playing in a different part of the world. I am at a stage in my life that I would like to do some more travel while I don’t have family commitments back in New Zealand, and I am so fortunate to be able to do that with my rugby career.
“The Scarlets club appeals because they are a successful team that plays a similar brand of rugby to the Crusaders, and working under a Kiwi coach in Wayne Pivac will make that transition easier.”
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