Scarlets pushing Hardy’s claim for Wales

KIERAN Hardy is the “full product” ready to make the step-up to international rugby with Wales for the first time this autumn.

The Scarlets scrum-half has made real strides during the last two seasons and an injury to Tomos Williams of Cardiff Blues could open the way for a Test call from Wayne Pivac.

Hardy’s team-mate in Llanelli Gareth Davies – who has been Wales’ firstchoice scrum-half since 2018 – has no doubt the player can graduate to the next level.

“Kieran could quite easily step into that environment. He’s a good enough player to definitely be on that international stage already,” Davies said. “He’s class. He started off here in the academy a few years ago and went down to Jersey for a couple of years.

“I think he’s come back as the full product. He passes well, he kicks well, and he scores tries. He’s really one for the future. I’ve always had competition wherever I am. Aled Davies was here at the Scarlets for years. We came through the academy together and Aled is a class player.

“We all know the competition in Wales with Tomos and Rhys Webb. It’s key to help bringing the best out of us as players.”

Williams will miss Wales’ autumn schedule after having shoulder surgery and it is likely to present a chance for Hardy to join Davies and Webb as one of three scrum-halves in Pivac’s squad.

Pivac knows Hardy, 24, well having coached him at the Scarlets, but he does have Rhodri Williams of the Dragons to consider as another option.

Asked if he believes Hardy is an international player of the future, current Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said: “Yes I do. There are still things he has to learn and he will pick them up the more he plays. He’s naturally gifted athletically and he’s got a wonderful pass and distribution.

“The greatest halfbacks in the world have a degree of anticipation and vision and that’s something they learn over time. They don’t all start with that and Kieran is learning that part of his game.

“But his kicking, passing and core skills are all good. The more exposure he has at the highest level, the better he’s going to get.”