Scarlets’ fight to keep Jac
Rivals target back-rower
THE Scarlets could be set for a fight to hold on to highly-rated Jac Morgan.
The back-rower is heading towards the end of his contract with the West Wales region and is being targeted by the Ospreys, according to The Rugby Paper.
He would a significant capture for the Ospreys if they pulled the deal off.
Morgan had been one of the players of the season in Wales before picking up an injury.
The Scarlets have a glut of options at openside, where Morgan has been playing, with Josh Macleod, James Davies and Dan Davis also on their books.
By contrast, the Ospreys have no specialist in that position when Justin Tipuric is away with Wales.
Dan Lydiate, who usually operates on the blindside, has been wearing the No. 7 jersey at times this season.
Morgan, who can play across the back row, underlined his quality by emerging from a contest with England international Sam Underhill with his reputation enhanced when the Scarlets faced Bath in the Heineken Champions Cup before Christmas.
Strong at the breakdown and an unyielding defender, the youngster from
Brynaman is considered a leader and had previously made 30 tackles in a PRO14 encounter with Connacht.
He is seen as a future Wales international, having already skippered Wales U20s. The ex-Aberavon player is out of contract with the Scarlets at the end of season.
But The Rugby Paper claims the Scarlets are at “the front of the queue” to sign prop WillGriff John from Sale Sharks.
Meanwhile, plans are being drawn up for alternative fixtures for the Welsh regions over the next two weeks amid the impending postponement of European cup rugby.
The final two rounds of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup pool matches look unlikely to go ahead as planned, due to French concerns about playing cross-border games with UK teams.
The Scarlets had been due to travel to Toulon this weekend. That game is set to be postponed, along with all the other fixtures scheduled in the two competitions over the next fortnight.