Bristol Bears full-back Mat Protheroe wanted in Wales - reports

The outstanding 23-year-old attacker is out of contract at the end of the season

Bristol Bears’ out of contract full-back Mat Protheroe is attracting interest from across the border according to the latest reports.

According to The Rugby Paper, the Ospreys are keen on landing Protheroe with the WRU and the four regions all looking to add to the pool of Welsh qualified players plying their trade in the Guinness Pro14.

However with Protheroe uncapped at senior level, signing a new deal for Bristol Bears would not rule him out of international contention for a senior Wales call-up yet. But is also worth noting that Swansea-born Protheroe played international rugby for England at U18 and U20 level.

The Hartpury product signed his first professional deal for Gallagher Premiership side Gloucester before making the switch to the Bears ahead of their 2017/18 campaign.

Since then the versatile back, who can play at full-back or on the wing, and has even played at fly-half in his younger days, has established himself as a valuable part of Pat Lam’s first team squad after fully recovering from a serious knee injury.

At 23 he is one of the most exciting young talents at Bristol with a touch of magic in his attacking play and stunning pace and signed a one-year contract extension last season.

Protheroe has covered full back in Charles Piutau’s absence in recent weeks, with the former All Black returning to action this Sunday from the knee injury he sustained against Leicester Tigers.

In midweek Bears director of rugby Pat Lam praised the job Protheroe and Australian international Luke Morahan have done covering in Piutau's absence.

Speaking in more depth about Protheroe, Lam said: “There are things he is good at but there are a lot of work ons in his game as well which he knows. It is constant for all these players.

“The people outside see the flashy stuff but it is about getting the fundamentals right and that is what we continue working with all the players on.”

Protheroe has plenty of competition at the Bears with English winger Toby Fricker, who was discovered playing in the Welsh Premiership last season, and new signing Henry Purdy seemingly ahead of him to be back-up for one of the wide berths which are filled by Morahan and Samoan international Alapati Leiua when fit; while another Welsman, young Ioan Lloyd, has played at full back several times this season as well.

Despite being fit Protheroe misses out on Bristol’s trip to Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.