Welsh regions battle for Matawalu

NIKO Matawalu has emerged as a shock transfer target for both the Cardiff Blues and Scarlets.

The two Welsh regions have expressed an interest in signing Glasgow’s Fijian flyer and a move to either Cardiff or Llanelli may well appeal to Matawalu given the fact his wife is Welsh.

Blues head coach John Mulvihill recently admitted he would like to boost his side’s firepower out wide and Dragons backthree flier Hallam Amos is expected to move to the

Welsh capital for next season.

TRP understands the Blues’ preferred wing option is Worcester and Wales ace Josh Adams, but he is also interesting the Scarlets. It means the livewire Matawalu – who has scored 34 tries during his two hugely successful stints at Glasgow – remains an attractive proposition to both teams.

Matawalu, right, who has won 33 caps for Fiji, has starred for both Bath and Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. He can also play at scrum-half.

All four Welsh regions had to delay their recruitment plans for next season as they attempted to thrash out a new deal with the Welsh Rugby Union.

That has since been signed, allowing a clearer picture of what each team can afford.

The Scarlets will be the highest funded region under the new Professional Rugby Agreement but with star back Johnny McNicholl yet to sign a new deal, the region are looking at alternatives.

Matawalu, 29, would certainly fit the bill with his counter attacking ability and deadly turn of pace suited to the brand of rugby played in west Wales. “There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes in terms of the contracting model in Wales,” said Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac. “That meant everyone has been in a bit of a holding pattern, but that will be resolved very quickly. We’ve got a new coach next season so I don’t want to be running around making a lot of decisions without Brad Mooar’s involvement.

“It’s also a Rugby World Cup year so we’ve got to weigh up what we do next year versus the year after. We’ve got to be smart in terms of how we plan and recruit.

“There are going to be a few heads around the table and a handover with the new coach coming in.”

While the Scarlets mull over their various options, they have been boosted by the news that backs Paul Asquith and Tom Prydie have agreed new deals with the region.