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There is a worry more players will follow Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake out of Wales
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has stressed the importance of retaining the best Welsh players in Wales in the wake of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake moving to England.
Wales rugby fans were left despondent when two of Wales’ best players in Morgan and Lake announced they will leave the Ospreys for Gloucester at the end of this season. The Welsh Rugby Union’s plans to cut the number of professional clubs in Wales from four to three has caused huge unrest and uncertainty amongst the players.
When the new structure is finalised Peel insists it is vitally important the best Welsh players are contracted to the three remaining professional clubs in Wales.
“I think from a Welsh rugby perspective it is disappointing to see it undoubtedly because you want your best talent staying within Wales,” said Peel.
“There’s a restructuring going on at the moment and I think the uncertainty of that creates situations where players need clarity.
“For myself once this is sorted out I think it is really important we hold the best players in Wales.
“We want to be really competitive as clubs and I think having the best Welsh players available to us makes us that.
“That’s my view on it.
“It’s obviously very disappointing from a Welsh rugby perspective to lose two quality players like that.”
There are huge concerns that what is now a trickle of players leaving Wales could turn into a flood over the coming months.
Peel insists the powers-that-be need to get a move on when it comes to contracting players.
“It is always a difficult period, this, because it is contracting season and people are looking forward to next season and trying to get their futures secured,” he said.
“I think the uncertainty doesn’t help that and as soon as everyone does get certainty the better it will be.
“You can only control what’s on the table at the minute.
“Timing is a big thing for us.
“We need to get a move on with a few things but as soon as we get clarity I’m sure we’ll be able to do the work we need to do.”
