Welsh playersa abroad

Which out of the list below would you like to see brought to your region?
1 lee byrne .
2jon spratt. 
3jack gadd.
4jamie robinson
5tom cheesman
6nick mcload
7ceiron thomas
8lee thomas
9steven shingler
10james hook
11nicky robinson
12dwayne peel
13martyn roberts
14warren furry
15mike phillips
16darren allinson
17gareth delve
18andy powell
19will james
20ben broster
21craig mitchell
22ceri  jones  
23rhys gill
24eifion roberts
25saul nelson
26mark jones
27rhys llewelyn

As a Dragons fan I would take any of those front rowers, dwayne peel because Evans is out of form at the moment and needs someone to contest his position and Gareth Delve to cover for faletau because he's going to burn out if he keeps up the pace he's been going!

Yeah as Munkian says for the Dragons I would have any of the front rowers (Mitchell or Roberts if being picky) and Delve.

We had Cheeseman on loan and was gutted it didn't work out.

Not being funny but I am not sure I would really want any of them (not just for the Scarlets but at any region). The majority of them are playing abroad due to not really being able to cut the mustard at home. I appreciate there are a few names there that are not bad players, but we seem to have pretty decent players, if not better players, in most of the postions that the abraod players play in (maybe with the exception of Gill, Mitchell and Roberts)

SS,

The props would be snapped up and I would always have Delve in my side but agree other than the ones currently in the National set up few others on the list would raise eyebrows as anything other than squad players.

Dwayne Peel is in awesome form at the moment and having watched a couple of Scarlets and Ospreys games this season I think you'd really benefit from having him. Particularly at the Scarlets where that back line would be given gift wrapped ball and a controlled tempo to work from.

Agree with SS and Bedford - most of those players aren't very inspiring and there's a lot better just coming out of the academies, except for Phillips, Hook and Byrne - but I wouldn't really want to see any of those coming back - especially as I doubt any region could afford their wages.

I would like to see Delve and Gill go to the Blues and maybe Efion could replace Iestyn at the Scarlets

Bedford - I would agree that the props would be desired, however with the salary cap coming in would they demand high wages. If they would want a high wage I think the regions (bar the Dragons, possibly) would be better off with who they have now. The Blues have Hobbs and Andrews who are good young options, Yapp, Jenkins, and Filise. The Ospreys have Bevington, Jarvis, the Jones' and James so are pretty covered. The Scarlets have old heads in the Thomas', John, Manu, and then young blood in Jones and Gardener.

I'm not sure Sam - Knoyle has been poor this season admittedly, but he's barely played since May and has been carrying an injury, G Davies is young and looks very promising and has had some very good games this season. Not sure I'd want an older player to hold back their development especially with the biggish wages Peel would command

SS,

Money would be problem as decent props (especially T/Heads) are in high demand.

For us down at Dave we just need a top notch prop fullstop.

As we all know rumours are rife surrounding Jenkins and Jones so I guess the Blues and Ospreys will be on the look out and most propbably have the financial clout to attract someone.

As for those in-situ well I have never rated Yapp and Filise must be about 90 now isn't he, Andrews needs some coaching but is very good in the loose.

O's have some good cover as do you guys.

I'd like the Ospreys to have James Hook at Full back but no other player is really useful.
Most of these guys have gone because they werent wanted at the region.

But Hook is appalling at FB!

BEdford - I don't realistically think that the Blues and Ospreys have any more financial clout than the Dragons or Scarlets, although they may have better marketing people to make it appear that way. Also with the salary cap coming in next season I really can't see how the 'we are poor relations' arguement can be used anymore.

I'll have a bit of fun and choose which regions i think they would fit in. Im only going to do players that i know and i wont do Byrne, Hook, Phillips, Shingler because they just left.

2jon spratt Ospreys, Dragons
4jamie robinson Ospreys
5tom cheesman Ospreys, Dragons
6nick macleod Blues
7ceiron thomas Crap
8lee thomas Dragons
11nicky robinson Blues
12dwayne peel Scarlets, Dragons
13martyn roberts Scarlets
14warren furry Ospreys
16darren allinson Blues
17gareth delve Blues
18andy powell Scarlets
19will james Blues
20ben broster Dragons
21craig mitchell Dragons
22ceri jones Dragons
23rhys gill Blues
24eifion roberts Ospreys
26marc jones Blues

Rhys Llewelyn would be a great addition to any team.

Ah yes the NZ U20 lad. I want him down at the Ospreys. Beck and him would be a great centre partnership.

Rhys llewelyn has another year left in uni so doubt hed come before then , he hasnt made the the cut for the crusaders or canterbury club team so hopefully hed come back and have a crack in wales

I just made a post in another board about him playing for Wales. I wonder if those people critical of Shingler will react the same in Rhys's case.

gowales wrote:I just made a post in another board about him playing for Wales. I wonder if those people critical of Shingler will react the same in Rhys's case.

He moved to New Zealand in September 2007, when his parents moved there to work, he is not going to be picked by Wales age grade teams at that age. I don't really see an issue with a child moving away with his parents.

I understand he is now 20, and is part of the Crusader Knights squad the second team of the Canterbury Crusaders. though at 6ft and 13 stone 9 lbs, he might be a bit lightweight at the moment. Though he is now playing right wing, not center as he did in the U20 World Cup.

In January 2010 it was announced he would spend 3 years in the academy to prepare him for professional rugby.

http://www.canterburyrugby.co.nz/news/luke-the-fourth-whitelock-at-canterbury/154/news.aspx

The players will spend three years in the academy to help prepare them for professional contracts.

They are given their own development programmes and position specific coaching from the Crusaders and Canterbury coaches.

As part of their development they will also focus on: technical skills, tactics, mental skills, physical development/nutrition, career/education and personal development.

17gareth delve - Rumoured to be replacing Rush at the Blues.

23rhys gill - Probably going to replace Gethin if he leaves.

My opinion is that I don't mind older successful players heading over to France, as the French seem to be happy to release them back when we want them. It is the players going to england that is a waste of time to me.

However Craig Mitchell going to Exeter is a good move. He will improve his scrummaging a lot more there. In fact im in favour of forwards moving to England, especially in the front row.

go,

Would rather them go to France if anywhere no awkward negotiations then.

SS,

Yeah I guess the salary cap will level the playing field so I guess its all down to marketing and what each Region can offer players in terms of vision and achievements etc.

Bedford and Maes - one thing to remember is that if enough important players go to England then the WRU will negotiate a release with the PRL and pay the insurance/money (something they've refused to do so far coz it isn't in their interest).

If they do this then there won't be any player release issues, and we'll have guarenteed access to the players

Not that I want that many of our players to go over to England though...

If any player go out of Wales to wherever then as long as it has the affect on the performance like it did to Alfie and Wellies then it can't be a bad thing.

What won't be so good is if they move and are then not first choice at their new club, it happened and maybe damaged Peel when he moved as Sale had a rotation policy with Wigglesworth so he wasn't playing and certainly wasn't automatic first choice.

or bedford they move to a team that is struggling and not playing well - as that can affect them as well - arguably this happened to Peel as well, and Hook

Priest,

Agree and Peel is the big one I think of recent times, things not seem to be going to well for Hook either but Byrne seems to be in good form though not seen many reports.

Then again there is Delve factor, he was carrying Glawster for a long while, was their best player and still not get the recognition

I know - thats the big problem I've got with Gats there's no consistency in his laws, selection or discipline which is a shame as it would have been great to have Delve in the team - I just hope he replaces Rush at the Blues and can then get back in the Welsh team

Yea hes only 28 now and i think hes refreshed himself and really grown as a leader and a player down in Aus. Hopefully he'll go the Blues and compete with Faletau for that 8 shirt till the world cup!

as a dragons fan id like to see steven shingler, nicky robinson, darren allinson, rhys gill and rhys llewelyn.

LiziDragons wrote:as a dragons fan id like to see steven shingler, nicky robinson, darren allinson, rhys gill and rhys llewelyn.

Liz,

Why would we bring in Shingler and Robinson when we currently have Tovey and Steffan Jones.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

LiziDragons wrote:as a dragons fan id like to see steven shingler, nicky robinson, darren allinson, rhys gill and rhys llewelyn.

Liz,

Why would we bring in Shingler and Robinson when we currently have Tovey and Steffan Jones.

just to give some stability.... Tov's been a bit too hot and cold lately, and Steffan's form has dipped at regional level from what ive seen of him

But Liz, none of those guys would be happy with a 1 in 4 chance of being 1st choice.

I am all for competition for places etc but it needs to be balanced, I would take Tovey over Shingler (though not seen that much of him) and I think its great young Jones is pushing him.

Not sure I'd want an older player to hold back their development especially with the biggish wages Peel would command.

If the chances of him playing for Wales hinged on a return to Wales it might work, Sale aren't a rich club so not sure he'll be getting a big contract renewal. His experience and leadership might help develop the youngsters and bring them on.

If we didn't have so many 9s at Tigers I wouldn't mind him rocking up there for a season or two to perfect Youngs and Harrison's game management.

Liz, if the Dragons are looking to sign any of those players listed, they want to head for the centres as that's where they're in need of some strength.

Jamie Robinson would be a good shout, although Agen are going good in the Top14 this year and it would take a lot to take him away from there imo.