Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union

Steve Cummins in action for Melbourne Rebels

Scarlets have signed Australian lock Steve Cummins from Melbourne Rebels.

The 25-year-old former Wallaby U-20 international will join the region at the end of November for their trip to South Africa to play Southern Kings and Cheetahs.

He has made 15 Super Rugby appearances in 2017, starting in all of them.

Head coach Wayne Pivac said: "Steve is an experienced lock forward with a high work rate but is also a natural leader. His credentials speak for themselves."

Scarlets are likely to be without their Wales players for the Pro14 matches against the Kings and Cheetahs as the games clash with Warren Gatland's team facing New Zealand and South Africa.

Defending champions Scarlets have 15 players on international duty during the autumn internationals, and general manager John Daniels emphasised the need for overseas players.

"The need for non-Welsh qualified (NWQ) players is more relevant to us than ever now," he said.

"Bringing in the right NWQ player, who will be available to us all season to compliment our homegrown talent, is something that is crucial to our strategic aims and has proved to be very effective in recent seasons."