The 33-year-old New Zealander starred in his first six years at the region, scoring 37 tries in 141 appearances, before being snapped up by French heavyweights ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2011.
King played his one and only game for New Zealand against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in 2002, where he crossed for a try, and he is excited about the current crop of home grown talent coming through at the Scarlets.
“I haven’t come back here for a free bus ride. I want to re-establish myself and do the best I can for the squad and the supporters,” explained King.
“Settling back in has been great – it’s like I’ve never been away and the boys welcomed me back in. I don’t want to be a passenger, or someone who is just cruising along, I want to be someone the boys look up to and earn my spot on the team.
“I’m trying to work as hard as I can and, hopefully, it can bring the younger players on as well. There is a lot of exciting talent in that changing room, these boys are so quick on the field. I remember when I was like that one day in the past!”
King was at the peak of his powers when he helped the Scarlets reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals unbeaten in 2006/07 and has picked up two losing Heineken Cup final medals with Stade Francais Paris and ASM Clermont Auvergne.
Ironically, it is the Wales and British & Irish lions centre Jonathan Davies’ switch to Clermont that has opened up a vacancy in the Scarlets’ midfield for King and he can’t wait to slot into a back division full of international talent.
“I’m really excited about getting to work with Jordan Williams because he looks really exciting. I remember watching him play for the Under 20s and he was carving holes everywhere,” added King.
“I’m looking forward to it because there is a lot of talent there. I’ve learned a few things since I’ve been gone.
“There’s a lot of focus on the contact area out in France and it’s pretty brutal. I’ve always enjoyed attacking, but now tackling has to go with it as well. I got the hang of that and, hopefully, I can transfer it over here.”
