Ioan Lloyd: Scarlets' Wales fly-half hopeful fit for Challenge Cup after injury scare

Ioan Lloyd scored all 16 of Scarlets' points against Castres in their Challenge Cup opener

Fly-half Ioan Lloyd has been passed fit for hosts Scarlets' Challenge Cup match against Georgian side Black Lion.

Lloyd had been a concern after injuring his shoulder in the 34-16 defeat in Castres last weekend.

His fitness comes as a sigh of relief for club and country, with the 22-year-old challenging to wear the 10 shirt for Wales in the 2024 Six Nations.

"He's fine, he picked up a bit of a stinger in the game," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

"He trained fully today so I am expecting him to be all good for Friday.

"Ioan has been playing a lot of minutes and he had the knock so it was the right time to pull him off. We weren't too concerned post-match."

Scarlets and Wales are already without Sam Costelow, who is not due back from injury until January, while Wales' fly-half options have been reduced by retirements and players moving outside of Wales.

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However, Peel does have selection worries in the back row with Carwyn Tuipulotu suffering a shoulder injury against Castres.

He looks set for a few weeks out, joining Josh Macleod, Dan Davis and Taine Plumtree in the treatment room.

"It's a disappointing one for us obviously because back row numbers are very scarce at the minute," added Peel.

"But it's where we are unfortunately, we have to ride it and it's an opportunity for somebody else to step into that space."

Scarlets are boosted by the return of locks Vaea Fifita and Alex Craig for Friday's game in Llanelli.

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