Fijian giant Ratuva is on his way to join the Scarlets
THE Scarlets are set to sign Fiji World Cup lock Tevita Ratuva from Bordeaux- Begles.
Ratuva is a member of the Fijian squad in Japan and has been compared to Leone Nakarawa in his homeland.
The 24-year-old made his Test debut in the recent Pacific Nations Cup against Canada and has so far won four caps for his country.
At 6ft 6ins and over 17 stone Ratuva will be the heaviest member of the Scarlets squad and will bring a significant physical presence.
The former PRO12 champions suffered a disappointing campaign last season, failinG to qualify for the Champions Cup for the first time.
Ratuva has been signed to add physicality to their front five with his dynamic ball carrying and offloading game something the Scarlets missed last season.
Ratuva will join a strong pool of second rows which includes Wales international Jake Ball and fellow new signing Sam Lousi from Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes.
Ratuva will arrive at the conclusion of the World Cup and will likely get an early introduction to his future teammates with Fiji facing Wales on October 10.
The Fiji international began his career with Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship in Australia before being picked up by Bordeaux last season. But he broke his leg at the beginning of last season and on his return played for Bordeaux's Espoir side.
The Scarlets have also signed second row Juandre Kruger and fly-half Ryan Lam as World Cup cover.
New Scarlets coach Brad Mooar will be without 15 front-line players when they kick-off their PRO14 campaign at home to Connacht due to the World Cup.
Kruger, 34, who has 17 caps for South Africa, joins from Toulon until the end of November when he links up with the Bulls. Lamb, 33, joins after a two-year stint at La Rochelle.
