Priestland expected to sign for Bath

Bath are expected to announce the signing of Wales and Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland, with the move going through after this year's World Cup.

Press Association Sport report the move is on and add that a two-year deal has been agreed with confirmation to come in the next few days.

The 27-year-old has won 32 Wales caps but is currently behind Ospreys playmaker Dan Biggar in the Wales fly-half pecking order.

He would become Bath's second major signing for next season following the recruitment of Fijian scrum-half Niko Matawalu while South African number eight Duane Vermeulen is reportedly a target for the side who currently sit in second place in the Aviva Premiership table.

Priestland joined the Scarlets in 2005, graduating to the first team from their academy.

He would provide back-up to England's currently first-choice fly-half George Ford at the Recreation Ground.

Priestland has not been among the group of players to have been offered a national dual contract - deals funded by the Welsh Rugby Union and Wales' four professional regions from a £3.3 million pool.

Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Jake Ball, Rhodri Jones, Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan are the first six players to have signed the contracts and more are expected to follow this month.