Wales stars' futures up in the air amid game's uncertainty

THE futures of several top Wales internationals are up in the air, with English clubs looking to take advantage of the current uncertainty hanging over Welsh rugby.

- JOHN JONES

Louis Rees-Zammit Geraint Nicholas/Huw Evans Agency

With the Welsh Rugby Union announcing plans to cut the number of professional sides from four to three, the market in Wales is as unstable as it has ever been, with many players still unsure on exactly how the changes will affect their livelihoods, leading them to weigh up their options as a result.

With the WRU wanting only one side in west Wales, the Ospreys or Scarlets are seen as most at risk of being cut, with top talent now set to move across the border to England to escape the uncertainty.

The Ospreys look set to lose two of their top players, with Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake now looking likely to depart for the same Gallagher PREM side ahead of next season.

Morgan, who has comfortably been Wales' best player in a torrid few years for the national team, has understandably attracted a lot of interest from other clubs, particularly in the wake of his impressive tour campaign with the British & Irish Lions over the summer.

The 25-year-old has been the subject of interest from Saracens in recent weeks, but it is now understood that Gloucester have moved into pole position to sign him ahead of the next campaign, with some sources describing the deal as good as done.