The Scarlets are set to sign two of the best players in this season's BUCS Super Rugby.
In what has proved a fruitful breeding group for professional players, the BUCS Super Rugby is the highest level of university rugby in Britain. The likes of England international Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins star Luke Northmore and Wales pair Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins have all played at this level.
The Scarlets have now secured the services of last season's BUCS Super Rugby player of the season Charlie Titcombe and Teddy Leatherbarrow, who was in the team of the season. Both players represented Loughborough University, and made a big mark on the university circuit.
READ MORE: Wales star Liam Williams to quit Welsh rugby
Titcombe is a 21-year-old outside-half who has previously represented Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors. Leatherbarrow, 23, is an all-action openside flanker who has played for Scotland U20s and was once a member of the Sale Sharks academy.
The Scarlets will hope they can help develop both players into top-class professional players as they have done for numerous individuals who they have plucked from obscurity in the past such as former England No. 8 Ben Morgan and Ireland superstar Tadhg Beirne.
WalesOnline understands all four professional sides in Wales are seriously looking at the BUCS Super Rugby as an area they can recruit promising players of the future on affordable wages.
The professional game in Wales in a precarious financial state, with the wages of players being aggressively pushed down and playing budgets expected to drop to £4.5million for the 2024/25 season. This means Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets will find it harder to sign top-end overseas players, with the ability to spot talent of the future being of paramount importance if they are to be competitive over the next few seasons.
READ NEXT:
The two rookies battling to be Wales' real World Cup bolter after ruthless Gatland decision
Welsh rugby plan for regional player loan system amid squad cuts
Scarlets announce new coaching team as World Cup winner and British Lion sign up
Dragons want to sign powerful South African lock in bid to strengthen pack
