Neil Jenkins underlined the desire to keep Wales’s top players in the country yesterday after it emerged that Liam Williams could join English and European champions Saracens.

Reports in Wales claim that Williams has agreed a two-year deal with Saracens from next season.

Saracens have made no comment but speculation is rife that a swoop for 25-year-old Williams could be announced in January.

Wales assistant coach Jenkins said: “We’ve said we want to keep our best players in Wales, and Liam is certainly one of those. We would love to keep him in Wales.”

Full-back or wing Williams has won 37 caps and is rated by most pundits as a certainty for next summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

But if he does leave the Scarlets and move to Barnet Copthall, then his hopes of playing for Wales next season are likely to mean him relying on a wildcard selection.

The Welsh Rugby Union’s senior player selection policy currently limits the number of wildcard players to three, affecting players who play outside the country and if they have rejected a contract offer in Wales. It rises to four players next term.

Wildcard selections in Wales’ autumn Test squad are Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts, Northampton wing George North and Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny, meanwhile, could also find himself on the list of so-called captured players next year if he signs a new contract with his current club Toulon, rather than return to Wales.

Jenkins added: “We have said from day one that we want our best players playing in Wales. Leigh comes into that category and so does Liam.”