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The Wales prop will leave Cardiff this summer and head west as he looks to reignite his career
The Scarlets have announced the signing of Wales international Corey Domachowski from Cardiff.
The 29-year-old loosehead will swap regions this summer after falling down the pecking order in the Welsh capital. He was a big part of Wales’ 2023 Rugby World Cup and 2024 Six Nations squads but has slipped out of the international reckoning in recent times.
He replaces Alec Hepburn in the Scarlets squad who will depart at the end of the season to join Edinburgh Rugby.
Domachowski said: “I’m at a point in my career where I need a new challenge and this is one I’m extremely excited about.
“Scarlets are a club with a lot of passion, a proud history and a strong connection to their community which really stood out to me.
“Leaving Cardiff Rugby after more than 10 years obviously isn’t easy and I am hugely grateful to Cardiff and all the supporters for everything they’ve given me.
“I’ve always worn the Cardiff jersey with honour and pride and I’ll be taking that mindset to West Wales. I’m looking forward to making an impact on and off the field – I am excited to meet everyone at the club this summer, including the supporters.”
Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Corey brings proven experience at the highest level, in the URC, Champions Cup and international game and that’s exactly what we need as we continue to build.
“He’s a strong set-piece operator, a physical carrier and, importantly, someone who understands what it takes to compete consistently at the top end of the game
“We have a number of talented young front-row forwards who are developing well within our squad and having a player of Corey’s knowledge and experience will be hugely valuable – not just in terms of performance, but in driving standards and competition across the squad.
“This is about strengthening our foundations and adding the right profile of player to support where we are going as a team.”
Domachowski made his Cardiff debut in 2017, going on to play in four of the club’s pool stage matches on their way to winning the Challenge Cup in 2018.
Financial constraints almost saw Domachowski and front-row colleague Keiron Assiratti leave the club in 2023, but it wouldn’t be long until both were gracing the international stage.
After being named in Warren Gatland’s 54-man training squad, he made his Wales debut in the summer of 2023.
He went on to feature in four of Wales’ five World Cup matches later that year – coming off the bench against Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Argentina.
Further caps followed in the following Six Nations – although the fourth match of the 2024 tournament against France remains his last appearance for Wales to date.
He toured Australia with Wales that summer, featuring in the match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
However, following that career stage high, he has struggled for game time at Cardiff due to injury and selection, with the likes of Danny Southworth and Rhys Barratt overtaking the Rhondda Cynon Taf product in recent seasons
Domachowski’s signing follows confirmation that Scarlets No. 8 Fletcher Anderson and back-rower and skipper Josh Macleod have agreed new contracts.
The Scarlets say further recruitment and retention announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
