Fijian wing set to start regional tug-of-war

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 and Dragons full-back Hallam Amos is expected to move to the Welsh capital for next season.

Wales On Sunday 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 has won 33 caps for Fiji, has starred for both Bath and Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership, and 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 for 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 certainly 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.”