New Scarlets lock Alex Groves prepares to make his first start on Welsh soil this Saturday against the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Groves’ return to the pitch is nothing short of remarkable, considering he underwent major eight-hour heart surgery in February 2024.

Reflecting on his health scare, Groves shared, "It was very scary... I was confident as a young boy that I was fit and healthy and never thought anything was wrong with me." His journey began when he discovered a leaky valve during a cardio screening at Bristol, leading to a series of alarming diagnoses, including an aneurysm found on his 23rd birthday.

Key highlights of Groves' journey:

• Initial Diagnosis: A leaky valve was deemed non-threatening, requiring only monitoring.
• Deterioration: A subsequent screening at Sale Sharks revealed the need for surgery within five years.
• Aneurysm Discovery: Urgent surgery was required after an aneurysm was found, which could have been fatal without intervention.

Groves described the surgery as terrifying but acknowledged the support from his family and medical team. "I just fell asleep and woke up... it's amazing how advanced things have become now," he noted, emphasizing the significance of modern medical technology in saving his life.

After nine months of recovery, Groves received the all-clear to play in November 2024 and went on loan to Caldy RFC. He returned to the field in December, just ten months post-surgery, and expressed his gratitude:

Thankfully it was a success. I've never had a problem since. It's good as new to be honest.