Incoming Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is hoping Gareth Anscombe opts to remain in Wales and be eligible for the World Cup.
Warren Gatland’s Six Nations play-maker has been linked with a £500,000 a year move to big-spending Gallagher Premiership club Bristol Bears.
The West Country side club are the latest ready to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Anscombe’s contract in Wales with a supposed bumper offer.
Bristol’s English rivals Bath and Harlequins have also been linked with Anscombe.
The 27-year-old’s National Dual Contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues expires at the end of the season.
He would be ineligible for the World Cup in Japan if he signed a contract to leave Wales before the global showpiece because he doesn’t have the 60 caps exiles require to be picked.
Scarlets coach Pivac, who succeeds Gatland as Wales boss following the World Cup, said: “It is something Gareth and his agent are talking about.
“It is only something the individual can answer (about staying in Wales to remain available for Test selection), it’s the price you put on the jersey I guess.
“From my point of view, I have coached Gareth before (with Auckland) and he is an excellent player. We have seen that in recent times.
“I would like to see him remain. I have had a working relationship with Gareth in the past.
“Hopefully the decision he makes is that he remains in Wales and we have his services going forward.”
Anscombe has expressed his unhappiness about the upheaval behind the scenes at the WRU with new pay bands restricting him to an offer of no more than £350,000 a year. You can read the full details of how much the top players are now getting paid, here.
He has appealed to a WRU panel over the wage band he has been placed in, with players who have represented the Lions capable of earning more.
Pivac pointed out the new pay system seemed to be working, saying: “Most of the players in Wales fit into those player bandings quite nicely.
“We are not hearing too many disgruntled players. With any new system coming in there is going to be some abnormality and those are the ones we need to work through.”
Asked if the Scarlets would be interested in signing Anscombe, he replied: “You will have to ask Brad Mooar (incoming coach) that.”
