Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has backed Blair Murray as a potential bolter for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Murray has been a standout player for club and country, playing either at full-back or wing.
The 23-year-old signed for Scarlets last summer and made his Wales debut against Fiji in the autumn having qualified via his Welsh mother.
With Lions coach Andy Farrell short on full-back options, Murray has been tipped as a potential pick in Thursday’s squad announcement.
“He couldn’t have done much more,” said Peel.
“He offers a bit of flexibility in terms of playing wing and full-back and he has played a bit at 10, although not that much for us there.
“Who knows what Andy and the coaches are thinking, but from my perspective it would be amazing.”
Should Murray be selected, he would follow a long line of Scarlets players who have worn the Lions jersey, including Peel who was the youngest squad member for the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
But should no Scarlet be selected, this would be the first tour since 1983 on which the Llanelli-based team has had no representation.
Peel said it would be a “brilliant story” if Murray got on the plane after just one season in Wales.
“He stood out in the Welsh team. He was really good in that full-back role and since he’s been back, he’s been beating men, and I thought he was good last week [in the win against Leinster].”
Scarlets arrive in South Africa on Thursday morning for their final United Rugby Championship (URC) games against Lions and Sharks.
“I’m sure we’ll be glued to the TV when we get to Johannesburg,” added Peel.
“If he’s fortunate enough to get in it will be brilliant for himself and also brilliant for us as close friends of his, and also the region.”
The Lions squad will be announced by Lions chairman Ieuan Evans at the O2 Arena from 14:00 BST on Thursday.
