Former Wales second row Lou Reed is hoping his form for Merthyr in the opening weeks of the season can get him back into regional rugby.
For the first time in a decade, the former Scarlets and Cardiff Blues lock is without a full-time professional deal.
Reed left Sale by mutual consent in February after struggling for regular appearances, but the 29-year-old reckons he has plenty of miles left on the clock at the top level.
A move to the Dragons looked a possibility earlier in the year, but that stalled after the region replaced former head coach Kingsley Jones with Bernard Jackman.
Reed, who played in Merthyr’s opening day Principality Premiership victory over Cross Keys last weekend, says: “I’m committed to Merthyr for the season, but I’ve got an agreement that if a region came in for me I would be allowed to leave.
“I always felt my full-time professional career would go on until I was well into my 30s, so I still feel I’ve got plenty to contribute.
“There aren’t that many of my type of second rows around these days. We’re a bit of a dying breed. But I know what my strengths are and I know I could still add something to a squad.”
Reed, 6ft 6in and 18st, won the last of his five Wales caps four years ago when he was still at the Blues. He was part of the Wales squad that won the 2013 Six Nations title.
The powerful Treorchy-born forward had earlier made his name at the Scarlets, where he played over 100 matches before switching to the Arms Park in 2012.
He moved to Sale at the start of last season, but made only two Anglo-Welsh Cup appearances before taking a four-month break from the game.
“I always knew that my chances were going to be limited at Sale, but it was disappointing not to play more rugby.
“In the summer, I got married and went on honeymoon and also spent some time working in London in preparation for when rugby comes to an end.
“But I haven’t reached that stage yet. I was given a call from Merthyr coach Dale McIntosh and was keen to get on board at the club. There are big things happening there under the backing of Stan Thomas.
“The standards are good, but I’m now a part-time player rather than full-time and I miss the day-to-day activity. I’m fit and still think I could do a job at one of the Welsh regions.”
