Wales utility back Rhys Patchell is a wanted man as he heads towards the end of his contract at the Scarlets.
The former Cardiff player, who can play at fly-half and full-back, becomes a free agent at the end of season and has been linked with Bath, who are said to see him as a potential replacement for Danny Cipriani.
It is no surprise that Bath are interested.
Playing at No. 15, Patchell performed impressively for the Scarlets against the English team in his team’s memorable 35-17 Heineken Champions Cup win at The Rec in 2018, having a hand in two of their four tries.
The flame-haired player set the tone that night for one of his team’s best performances under Wayne Pivac — and there were many quality displays on the Kiwi’s watch — by triggering the early counterattack that helped create their opening try. He also put in the beautifully weighted grubber kick after the break for Scott Williams to claim their bonus-point score.
With uncertainty over Anthony Watson’s Bath future, the 21-cap Patchell would provide a quality option for the Englishmen whether at 15 or 10.
But Bath are not alone in tracking the 28-year-old, who has yet to make a decision on his future.
It’s understood that several other clubs, most of them English, are also trailing him.
He now has a call to make.
Despite returning from injury recently, he is by no means guaranteed a place in Wales’ squad for the Six Nations, with Pivac using Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Priestland and Callum Sheedy as his No. 10s in the autumn.
Should a Test spot prove out of reach, Patchell would have no reason to factor into his deliberations the Welsh rugby rule stopping exiled players from playing for Wales unless they have 60 or more caps, as he would effectively be outside the international rugby orbit, anyway.
But that he is a quality player isn’t in doubt.
When he figured off the bench against the Ospreys on New Year's Day, he added tempo and width to his team’s performance, not least because of the accuracy and range of his passing.
Rewinding to 2017, he was a key figure in the Scarlets’ stylish PRO12 title success.
News that he hasn’t made his mind one way or another on his next move should cheer many out west.
He may have had his injury problems, but on song he is a player in tune with the Scarlets’ way of playing.
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