John Barclay will put the Scarlets ahead of Test rugby, despite his recall for Scotland. The 29-year-old flanker is enjoying an international resurgence in the current Six Nations, despite having been overlooked entirely for the World Cup.

Steve Shingler’s move from the Scarlets to the Cardiff Blues next season has been confirmed and he could be joined at the Arms Park by George Earle. Fly-half Shingler, 24, has been earmarked for the switch to the Blues since Rhys Patchell decided he would be travelling in the opposite direction.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac has admitted he would have quit the region if he was Wales prop Rhodri Jones. Pivac moved to sign former Springbok Werner Kruger this week after it was confirmed Jones would leave at the end of the season to join arch-rivals, the Ospreys. It is a switch motivated more by concern than cash.

The Scarlets continue to beef up their pack with South African produce after signing former Springboks prop Werner Kruger on a three-year deal. Kruger, 31, will join in the summer and follows the import of countryman David Bulbring, who made his debut against Edinburgh last Friday.

Wales prop Rhodri Jones has confirmed he will leave the Scarlets this summer to join the Ospreys. It means the tight-head, who has found his chances limited by competition with Samson Lee, will have to give up his current national dual contract, shared by the Scarlets and the Welsh Rugby Union.