Pat Lam has revealed Bristol Bears are working with Wales U20s to closely control Ioan Lloyd’s game time with the teenager having been a regular for the Gallagher Premiership side this season.
Lloyd has impressed at both fly-half and full back this season as he has seamlessly stepped up from academy rugby to star for the Bears in Europe and the league.
Bristol are through to the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup where they will play the Dragons at Ashton Gate on April 5 and sit in fifth place in the Gallagher Premiership.
The Welsh teenager was named man of the match in his first start at fly-half for the club, scoring a try and landing eight out of eight kicks to beat Italian side Zebre 59-21.
Lloyd has played so well this season that he has kept international Ian Madigan out of the Bears' squad much to the Irishman's frustration.
And it is that potential which has led Lam to hand the youngster a four-year deal at the club.
Wales U20s take on Italy at 7.35pm on Friday evening at the Zipworld Stadium in Colwyn Bay however Lloyd, 18, has not been named in the 23-man match-day squad having been included in the wide squad for the U20s Six Nations.
Bristol’s director of rugby Lam explained: “We have a good relationship with the U20s coach there and Wayne Pivac [Wales head coach] and Gareth Williams [Wales U20s head coach].
“We had a good discussion about his [Ioan Lloyd’s] development and what he has done and that he has been full noise with us in the senior programme so he does need a rest.
“That is why he won’t be involved in the first round so he can get a rest from rugby.
“He will be available for their second round and then he should be available for us and then he should be available for the last round if Wales still need him so it won’t affect his time at Bristol.
“It has been a well thought out plan. Our S&C teams, their S&C teams have been over and there is a good relationship there with the coaches so everything is working towards what is best for the player.”
Meanwhile Bears young fly-half Nathan Chamberlain will start at ten in Scotland U20s' Six Nations opener against Ireland U20 at Independent Park, Cork, on Friday night showing the club's strength in depth in the key position.
Wales U20s fixtures
Wales v Italy - January 31
Ireland v Wales - February 7
Wales v France - February 21
England v Wales - March 6
Wales v Scotland - March 13
Bristol Bears fixtures during the Six Nations
Northampton Saints v Bristol Bears - February 16
Bristol Bears v Worcester Warriors - February 23
Bath v Bristol Bears - March 1
Bristol Bears v Harlequins - March 8
Bristol Bears v Saracens - March 20
