Fuel assembly arrangement for retaining fuel rod end plug to bottom nozzle

A nuclear reactor assembly, comprising:

• a fuel rod;
• an end plug extending from the fuel rod, wherein the end plug comprises:
• a first engagement surface;
• and
• a second engagement surface comprising a circular groove disposed in an exterior surface of the end plug, the circular groove defining a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the end plug;
• and
• a bottom nozzle comprising a recess, wherein the recess comprises:
• a first retainer extending from the recess, wherein the first retainer is to engage the first engagement surface;
• and
• a second retainer extending from the recess, wherein the second retainer comprises a second retainer portion to engage the second engagement surface,
• wherein the circular groove is configured to receive the second retainer portion, and
• wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are configured to axially retain the end plug to the bottom nozzle.