Wales & Lions Star Set To Leave France And Return To Former Club

Wales and British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies is expected to return to Scarlets from Clermont Auvergne, BBC Wales Sport understands.

Davies left for France in 2014 but has been linked with a return to Wales in recent months. The 27-year-old would rejoin Scarlets for next season after his current deal with the Top 14 side expires.

He has been capped 48 times by Wales but missed the World Cup because of a knee injury. Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said in October he would welcome Davies back to the region, who are currently third in the Pro12. The New Zealander insisted he had not spoken to the region’s former captain about a possible return.

“If he were to become available we’d enjoy having him back,” Pivac said.

“Under the rules we’d have first crack at signing Davies and if the opportunity came up to play here again no doubt we would welcome him back with open arms.”

Davies left Scarlets to join Clermont Auvergne on a two-year contract ahead of the 2014-15 season. He was part of the Clermont side that lost to Toulon in the Champions Cup final at Twickenham in May 2015.

But a few weeks later Davies suffered a ruptured and anterior cruciate ligament injury which ruled him out of the World Cup. Former Wales flanker Martyn Williams believes Davies re-joining Scarlets would be a “great boost” for Welsh rugby.

“It’s a great boost if a truly world class played like Jon is coming back,” Williams said.

“If it is to be a dual contract then for the Welsh Rugby Union it’s another Welsh player under their control.”