‘NO SURPRISE OUR PLAYERS ARE WANTED’
THE Scarlets have addressed rumours linking two of their backline stars with moves to English rugby, with coach Dwayne Peel admitting: “Everybody would want them.”
Wales international Rhys Patchell is attracting the interest of a number of Gallagher Premiership clubs, with Bath said to be among them, while centre Steff Hughes is reportedly on Leicester Tigers’ radar.
But Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel appeared relaxed when asked about the reports on the pair.
“Both have been good for us,” said Peel. “Everybody would want them.
“The big thing around that is there’s obviously retention and recruitment happening constantly. We’re going through that process at the minute and we’ll make decisions on players who are out of contract over the next short while.
“Some have been done already and some are in the process of negotiating and seeing where we are.
“When there are opportunities to release something we will. But at the minute it’s just speculation. We’ll see where we are over the next while.”
The outcome of those talks will be intriguing.
Injuries have limited Patchell’s appearances since the last World Cup, but when he is operating on all cylinders there are few more exciting attacking fly-halves with his speed off the mark and range of passing.
The former Cardiff player was a key figure in their PRO12 title success of 2016-17. The issue is whether he can stay fit.
Hughes is said to be wanted by Leicester.
With four international centres on their books in Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Johnny Williams and Tyler Morgan, plus a bright prospect in Joe Roberts, and with Ioan Nicholas and Corey Baldwin also having the ability to play in midfield, the Scarlets are well stacked at 12 and 13.
However, Hughes has been an asset for them. Not only is he consistent and reliable, he is also a leader who has captained the side during international blocks and pointed the way for those around him.