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The 23-year-old has committed his future to Welsh rugby after attracting interest from across Europe
Welsh rugby’s signing of the season Fletcher Anderson has opened up on his new life in Wales and reaffirmed his desire to win Test honours with the national side.
The powerhouse back row signed for the Scarlets in the autumn and has been the standout star of the 2025/26 campaign in Llanelli, with the New Zealander making 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring three tries and establishing himself as one of the most powerful and effective carriers in the United Rugby Championship.
His fine displays have seen English giants Saracens, URC high-fliers Glasgow Warriors and a host of French clubs all express interest in signing him but the Scarlets announced last month that they had fought off the competition to retain Anderson’s services.
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Having committed his future to the region, the 23-year-old admits he is thoroughly enjoying his new life in Wales, with teammates Blair Murray and Taine Plumtree – who also made the move to Parc y Scarlets from New Zealand – among those who have helped him settle in.
“I’m enjoying it,” Anderson told RugbyPass. “When I was moving over, Blair said it was a nice area with some of the boys living nearby, too. Wales is pretty similar to New Zealand in a lot of ways.
“When we drive to training, the countryside feels a bit like home, with a lot of rolling hills. I went up to Brecon Beacons the other day for a wander. That felt a lot like New Zealand. So I’m liking Wales a lot. There are good people here and they are super friendly.
“They love their rugby in Llanelli,” he said of the Scarlets fanbase. “In fact, I’d say the fans in Wales are as passionate as anywhere. They stick around after games and get around the players; they are rugby mad, singing and chanting and stuff. It really is something.”
“You are not recognised much, but there are a number of Scarlets supporters in Pontcanna, where I live,” Anderson added. “I was walking down the street the other day and my neighbour poked his head out of the window and said he was a big Scarlets fan.
“I could be going down to the gym and someone will come onto you and say they follow the club. It does happen, but being a fair way from Llanelli, not that often.”
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An impressive debut season in Welsh rugby has seen the Kiwi emerge as a potential new target for Wales, with head coach Steve Tandy looking to build some much-needed strength in depth over the next few years and lock down any eligible talents.
In Anderson’s case, he will have to wait until 2030 before becoming eligible to represent Wales on residency grounds, a huge commitment for him to make.
But after admitting that representing Tandy’s side one day is “definitely something” he has thought about, he has now reaffirmed his stance on where he sees his international future.
“I’ve been here for half a season and three more campaigns will leave me with roughly 18 months to go before I’m up to five years,” he said. “A lot can change in that time and it’s a long time away to be making plans, but it was definitely something I factored in when re-signing.
“You want to play international rugby, no matter where you are, because it’s the pinnacle of the sport. That’s something that will motivate me for the next few years, the potential to do that.
“The Scarlets have given me a chance to play regularly and I feel my game has come on leaps and bounds,” he added. “Just taking the field every week and learning how I can impact matches. So, yeah, 100 per cent, it’s been a great move for me and for my game.”
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