The Scarlets have emerged as prime candidates to sign Welsh international Ioan Lloyd from Bristol Bears.

Lloyd is out of contract at the end of the season and has a number of admirers, but top English football sources tell WalesOnline that the Scarlets are favorites to sign him.

The 21-year-old utility quarterback is an incredibly talented footballer who has long been destined for great things. He made two appearances for Wales in 2020.

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Bristol’s director of rugby Pat Lam has previously said that Lloyd’s long-term position is outside midfield, but the highly talented youngster has mostly been used in all three defenses, although he has also played in the centre.

Lam is a big fan of Lloyd and believes he is a potential “world class” player who could play for Wales at Test level in the future. But it’s been three years since Lloyd won the last of his two matches for Wales against Italy at Parc y Scarlets, and while the Welsh Rugby Union has cut its controversial 60-match rule to 25, the Ysgol alumnus , Gifun Gymraeg Glantaf, remains the same. doing well. just short of the 25 games required to represent Warren Gatland during his time in England.

That made a move to Wales likely, with Scarlets favorites to secure his services.

Lloyd would be a quality signing for any team, given his ability to fit into any position along the back line, but he’s also a magical player with tremendous footwork and a clever passing game that, for the most part, in most cases, leaves opposing fans breathless.

Given the fluid rugby the Scarlets play under manager Dwayne Peele, a move to West Wales would be a no-brainer.

All four Wales regions have been under contract suspension for most of this season, but this has been lifted after they signed a new six-year financial deal with the Welsh Rugby Union. If the Scarlets manage to win over Lloyd, it will be a huge boost for regional play as most players are heading to the starting gate.

Earlier on Monday, the Ospreys announced that Joe Hawkins would join Exeter Chiefs, while Will Rowlands, Jarrod Evans, Max Llewellyn and Dillon Lewis would also leave Wales.

The Scarlets have placed more emphasis on believing in youth in recent seasons, giving opportunities to the likes of Kemsley Mathias, Joe Roberts, Sam Costelow and Ryan Conbeer. Adding Lloyd would be a huge blow to the arm.

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