The Welsh Rugby Union has welcomed the announcement by the Llanelli Scarlets that Rhys Priestland has signed a contract extension which will keep him in Wales.
The 27-year-old Wales fly-half had been linked with several English clubs, notably Gloucester, Leicester and London Wasps but his decision to stay in Wales comes as a welcome boost for the WRU.
The fly-half was part of the 2012 Grand Slam winning Welsh squad and has started both games at ten in this year’s campaign and is expected to keep his place for Friday’s clash with France.
Priestland joins Wales centre and fellow Scarlet Scott Williams, who also recently pledged his future to the region and the WRU are delighted its best players seem to be turning down moves away.
‘The decision of Rhys and other key players commit to Welsh regions is being seen as a positive signal for the game in Wales at a time when lucrative offers are being made for players to move abroad’: A WRU statement read.
The WRU also confirmed they are willing to negotiate national contracts with players unable to agree regional contracts in an attempt to keep the country’s best plying their trade in Wales.
