Owen Williams has rejected a return to Wales with the Scarlets to sign a new contract with Leicester Tigers. The 22-year-old fly-half has opted for a two-year deal.
The uncapped playmaker’s decision to continue to ply his trade outside of Wales could damage his chances of selection for the Rugby World Cup.
Richard Cockerill expects Williams and England’s Freddie Burns to continue battling for the Tigers’ No10 shirt.
“Owen has done an excellent job for us since he came here 18 months ago and I’m delighted he wants to stay in the longer term and has now agreed a new contract,” Leicester’s rugby director said. “He has settled very well here and has gained experience of some massive occasions with Tigers both in the Premiership and in Europe during the last two seasons.
“Owen has shown a great attitude to his work and he is learning and developing his game all the time in a very tough environment, which says a lot about him.
“We have two very good, young and ambitious fly-halves in Owen and Freddie Burns, which can only be good for them as players and also for the team as a whole.”
Warren Gatland prefers his Wales players to be based among the country’s four regions and would have hoped to see Williams return on a dual contract.
The Scarlets were keen to bring Williams back to Wales given Rhys Priestland’s expected move to Bath for next season. Williams joined Leicester from the Scarlets in the summer of 2013 and has already passed 300 points for the club.
Williams has been frequently tipped for a Test call thanks to his sparkling form but so far Gatland has not drawn him into his national squad.