Scarlets sign two loan locks for Lions and Sharks matches

The Scarlets have signed two secondrow forwards on short-term loans to bolster a depleted pack ahead of back-to-back United Rugby Championship matches in South Africa against the Lions and the Sharks. Welsh-qualified Harvey Cuckson has joined from Bath and Alex Groves arrives from the Stormers on loan, with both players expected to provide immediate cover as the region deals with multiple injuries in the engine room.

The signings follow a 34-0 defeat at home to the Stormers on Friday that added Max Douglas to an already extended casualty list. Douglas suffered a rib injury in that match. Jac Price and academy lock Will Evans are also sidelined, while Steve Cummins, who had been with the Scarlets on a short-term basis, has returned to the Dragons. Head coach Dwayne Peel said the side lost two more locks in the Stormers game and that Tristan Davies had a head-injury assessment. "It was a sobering night for us," he said. "We have to keep working hard and moving forward."

Cuckson, 21, grew up in north Wales and is Welsh-qualified through ancestry. He progressed through the Bath academy, made his Bath senior debut in a Premiership Cup win last month and has featured in early English...