Welsh Regions Signings/Departures/Rumours so far (A King and Lion heading to the Scarlets?)

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Cardiff Blues

In

Jason Tovey (Newport Gwent Dragons)- Confirmed
Lou Reed (Scarlets) -Confirmed
Robin Copeland (Rotherham Titans)- Confirmed
Benoit Bourrust (Perpignan)- Confirmed
Campese Ma'afu (West Habour)-Confirmed
Andy Kyriacou (Ulster) -Confirmed
Phil Davies DOR (Worcester)- Confirmed
Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys) - Rumour
Rob Lewis (London Welsh)-confirmed





Out

Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) -Confirmed
Martyn Williams -Retiring - Confirmed
Rhys Thomas (Wasps)- Confirmed
Dan Parks (Connacht) Confirmed
Casey Laulala (Munster)- Confirmed
Deiniol Jones -Retiring -Confirmed
Paul Tito- Released - confirmed
Manna Molitika -Retiring- Confirmed
Ben Blair (Agen)- Confirmed
John Yapp (Edinburgh) Confirmed
Richie Rees (Edinburgh)-Confirmed
Ryan Tyrell (Melbourne Rebels)-Confirmed
Xavier Rush (Retiring/Defence Coach) - Confirmed


Scarlet's

In


Lewis Rawlins (Cross Keys) - Confirmed
Barry Davies ( Ospreys) - Rumour
Jason Eaton ( Hurricanes)- Rumour
Adam Byrnes ( Melbourne Rebels) -Rumour
Manuel Carizza (Biarittz)- Rumour
Kristian Phillips (Ospreys) - Confirmed
Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont Auvergne)- Rumour
Danny Wilson (Newport Dragons-forwards coach)- Confirmed
Daniel Carpo (RC Timisoara, Romania) - Rumour
Joe Tuineau (Montpellier) -Rumour
Cambell Johnstoe (Biarritz)- Rumour
George Earle ( Cheetahs) - Confirmed
Simon Easterby (New DOR) - Confirmed
Richard Kelly (Ospreys) - Confirmed
Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys) - Rumour
Gavin Henson (Unattached) - Rumour
Tomas Vallejos Cinalli (Harlequins) - Confirmed
Pat ciliers (Lions) - Rumour
Gareth Owen (Ospreys) - Confirmed

Out

Ben Morgan (Gloucester)- Confirmed
Steven Jones (Wasps)-Confirmed
Dominic Day (Bath) Confirmed
Lou Reed (Cardiff Blues) -Confirmed
Dan Evans ( Dragons) - confirmed
Rhys Thomas Retiring- Confirmed
Iestyn Thomas (Retiring/Dragons forwards coach) - Confirmed
Simon Gardiner- (Rotherham Titan) - Confirmed
Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) -Confirmed
Damien Welch (Exeter Chiefs)- Confirmed
Vernon Cooper (Forwards Coach) - Confirmed
Garin Jenkins (scrummaging Coach) - Confirmed
Nigel Davies (Gloucester -DOR) - Confirmed
Andy Fenby (Newcastle) - Rumour (signed new contract)
Matt Gibert - (Mogliano,Italy) - Confirmed
Liam Davies - Released - Confirmed
Mark Jones (Gloucester - Skills Coach)- Rumour


Newport Gwent Dragons

In

Dan Evan (Scarlets) -Confirmed
Peter Grant (stormers) - Rumour
Tom Prydie (Ospreys)- Confirmed
Iestyn Thomas (forwards coach/scarlets) - Confirmed
Ian Nimmo (Cornish Pirates) -Confirmed
Tim Ryan (Cavalieri Prato) - Confirmed
Rhys Downes (Pontypridd) - Confirmed
Josh Tyler (UWIC) - Confirmed
Stewart Maguire (Connacht) - Rumour
Hywel Stoddart (Newport RFC) - Confirmed

Out

Jason Tovey ( Cardiff Blues)-Confirmed
Aled Brew (Biarritz)- Confirmed
Tom Willis (Retired)- Confirmed
Ben Castle (Retired)- Confirmed
Martyn Thomas (Gloucester) -confirmed
Luke Chateris (Perpignan) -Confirmed
Hugh Gustafson- Released- Not confirmed
Rhys Buckley- Released- Confirmed
Nigel Hall- Retired- Confirmed
Hugo Ellis- Released- Confirmed
James Leadbeater- Released- Confirmed
Mathew Jones (Bristol) -Confirmed
Tom Riley- (Cornish Pirates)- Confirmed
Lloyd Burns- Retired- Confirmed
Danny Wilson (Scarlets) - Confirmed
Gavin Thomas- Retired - Confirmed
Scott Morgan -Released - Confirmed
Trystan Davies (Carmarthen Quins) - Confirmed


Ospreys

In

Steve Tandy (Bridgend RFC)
Sam Lewis (Swansea RFC)
Sam Davies (Swansea RFC)
Shaun Connor ( Dragons - Ospreys Academy Coach)
Jonathan Spratt ( London Irish) - Confirmed


Out

Tommy Bowe (Ulster)- Confirmed
Sean Holley (Released)
Scott Johnson (SRFU)
James Goode (Newcastle Falcons)-Confirmed
Shane Williams (Mitsubishi Dynoboars )-Confimed
Huw Bennett (Lyon) -Confirmed
Nikki Walker (Worcester Warriors) -Confirmed
Dan Bigger (Racing Metro) -Rumour
Cai Griffiths (London Irish) -Confirmed
Barry Davies released - Confirmed
Chauncey O'Toole- Releases - Confirmed
Sonny Parker- (London Welsh) -Confirmed
Mefin Davies- Retiring- Not Confirmed
Tom Prydie (Dragons)- Confirmed
Will Taylor (Wasps)- Confirmed
Kristian Phillips (Scarlets) -Confirmeed
Rory Pitman (South Wales Scorpions)-Confirmed
Paul James (Bath) - Confirmed
Gareth Owen - Released - Confirmed
Stefan Watermeyer- Released - Confirmed
Craig Cross- Released - Confirmed
Dai Flanagan - Released - Confirmed

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Lord - I think that there are some positions that certain regions are particularly weak in. And then there is the front row which all the regions seem to be weak in.

The Ospreys are not weak in the front row, besides Decon Manu, your lot seem to be full of academy players comming through, the same can be said of the Dragons, the only ones that seem to be struggling are the Blues.

LordDowlais wrote:

gowales wrote:To be fair their academy players are nowhere near ready to step in full time yet

Thats not being fair though is it. They have had the best part of 10 years to get their acadamy up to scratch, so why are they in this position ?

That's the Cardiff Blues for ya

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Ulster hooker Andi Kyriacou set for Cardiff Blues move
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17867005

Seems like Kyriacou is definately coming to the Blues - shame they couldn't find a young Welsh hooker to be 2nd choice...

Don't get me started The Blues are seriously doing my nut in. How many NWQ players have they signed for next season so far ? I make it three, with probably more to come.

Cardiff Blues hookers next season (probable);

Andy Kyriacou; Marc Breeze; Kristian Dacey; Gerwyn Price

3 are Welsh if that's ok.

Hoe many of those will be starting in front of the new French one, campese and Kyriacou ?

No idea and I don't care what nationality the players are.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Ulster hooker Andi Kyriacou set for Cardiff Blues move
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17867005

Seems like Kyriacou is definately coming to the Blues - shame they couldn't find a young Welsh hooker to be 2nd choice...

Don't get me started The Blues are seriously doing my nut in. How many NWQ players have they signed for next season so far ? I make it three, with probably more to come.

Cardiff Blues hookers next season (probable);

Andy Kyriacou; Marc Breeze; Kristian Dacey; Gerwyn Price

3 are Welsh if that's ok.

Hoe many of those will be starting in front of the new French one, campese and Kyriacou ?

No idea and I don't care what nationality the players are.

Potentialy the Blues could field a front eight of NWQ players next season, I thought the regions/superclubs were put in place for the good of the national side, how is it good for the national side if they can do this ? Perhaps the WRU should look at cutting their funding until they start making an effort to promote from within.

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Ulster hooker Andi Kyriacou set for Cardiff Blues move
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17867005

Seems like Kyriacou is definately coming to the Blues - shame they couldn't find a young Welsh hooker to be 2nd choice...

Don't get me started The Blues are seriously doing my nut in. How many NWQ players have they signed for next season so far ? I make it three, with probably more to come.

Cardiff Blues hookers next season (probable);

Andy Kyriacou; Marc Breeze; Kristian Dacey; Gerwyn Price

3 are Welsh if that's ok.

Hoe many of those will be starting in front of the new French one, campese and Kyriacou ?

No idea and I don't care what nationality the players are.

Potentialy the Blues could field a front eight of NWQ players next season, I thought the regions/superclubs were put in place for the good of the national side, how is it good for the national side if they can do this ? Perhaps the WRU should look at cutting their funding until they start making an effort to promote from within.

No they could not. Most would be 5 + Paterson who will be WQ.

Sam Hobbs will get a good amount of time at LHP and may well be first choice over Campese

THP will be fought between Bourrust, Andrews and possibly Filise

I hope Dacey gets a chance next season and can become first choice hooker, not sure how good Kyriacou

Downs, Davies, Cook and Hill will all fight for the second row places (all 4 of whom are WQ and under 25)

Pretorious is WQ and will probably become first choice no8 next season, will Rush acting as backup and moving into coaching more.

Paterson is player of the season at 6 and will be WQ soon (replacing Pretorious who was also player of the season at 6 last season), cover is Copeland who is apparently very talented.

Warburton, Navidi and Young at 7 (all of whom are WQ and under 23).

So you are claiming Patterson and Pretorious as acadamey players then are you ? Why are'nt the Blues looking in and around their region for players to develope ? So taking these two into account I will give you 7 players. Not 5 + Paterson.

LordDowlais wrote:So you are claiming Patterson and Pretorious as acadamey players then are you ? Why are'nt the Blues looking in and around their region for players to develope ? So taking these two into account I will give you 7 players. Not 5 + Paterson.

Pretorious is WQ.

There is no NWQ 7 or Lock.

rugbydreamer wrote:pioden - ah, wasn't sure, diolch for the info.


I just wants some probs and 2nd rows. That's all. Preferably really tough grizzled Georgian ones. I don't ask for much!

Funnily enough, I'd be interested to go and watch them!

How odd is that?

Is that what regional rugby is missing? A grizzly prop or two?

LordDowlais wrote:


Potentialy the Blues could field a front eight of NWQ players next season, I thought the regions/superclubs were put in place for the good of the national side, how is it good for the national side if they can do this ? Perhaps the WRU should look at cutting their funding until they start making an effort to promote from within.

Gareth Williams retiring due to injury at the start season and losing TRT in the recent cull hasn't helped matters.
They will be promoting even more players from within next season and very probably whether they are good enough or not.

LordDowlais wrote:So you are claiming Patterson and Pretorious as acadamey players then are you ? Why are'nt the Blues looking in and around their region for players to develope ? So taking these two into account I will give you 7 players. Not 5 + Paterson.

Clearly Cardiff Blues have been looking further than just their "region" as Marc Breeze played for Aberavon and still does. Gerwyn Price, who is rumoured to be another signing, currently plays for Cross Keys.

wales606 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Ulster hooker Andi Kyriacou set for Cardiff Blues move
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17867005

Seems like Kyriacou is definately coming to the Blues - shame they couldn't find a young Welsh hooker to be 2nd choice...

Don't get me started The Blues are seriously doing my nut in. How many NWQ players have they signed for next season so far ? I make it three, with probably more to come.

Cardiff Blues hookers next season (probable);

Andy Kyriacou; Marc Breeze; Kristian Dacey; Gerwyn Price

3 are Welsh if that's ok.

Hoe many of those will be starting in front of the new French one, campese and Kyriacou ?

No idea and I don't care what nationality the players are.

Potentialy the Blues could field a front eight of NWQ players next season, I thought the regions/superclubs were put in place for the good of the national side, how is it good for the national side if they can do this ? Perhaps the WRU should look at cutting their funding until they start making an effort to promote from within.

No they could not. Most would be 5 + Paterson who will be WQ.

Sam Hobbs will get a good amount of time at LHP and may well be first choice over Campese

THP will be fought between Bourrust, Andrews and possibly Filise

I hope Dacey gets a chance next season and can become first choice hooker, not sure how good Kyriacou

Downs, Davies, Cook and Hill will all fight for the second row places (all 4 of whom are WQ and under 25)

Pretorious is WQ and will probably become first choice no8 next season, will Rush acting as backup and moving into coaching more.

Paterson is player of the season at 6 and will be WQ soon (replacing Pretorious who was also player of the season at 6 last season), cover is Copeland who is apparently very talented.

Warburton, Navidi and Young at 7 (all of whom are WQ and under 23).

Cardiff Dave - what I found a shame wasn't that most of their signings are NWQ as they are getting rid of 4 or 5 NWQ players this season (I think) - but based on what you said above about how good the incoming NWQ players are, I think it's a real shame they couldn't find a player equally as good in their own 2 academies or from one of the regions/regional academies - who could then be 2nd choice hooker, prop or backrow forward and improve from exposure to top rugby.

I should say I really like what they've done by bringing in top class NWQ players like Tito and Rush and then used them to develop their own youngsters like Cook, McCauley & this young No 8 who played last week - can't remember his name soz. I just see Kyriacou holding back the development of some exciting young Blues hookers rather than helping them develop.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Cardiff Dave - what I found a shame wasn't that most of their signings are NWQ as they are getting rid of 4 or 5 NWQ players this season (I think) - but based on what you said above about how good the incoming NWQ players are, I think it's a real shame they couldn't find a player equally as good in their own 2 academies or from one of the regions/regional academies - who could then be 2nd choice hooker, prop or backrow forward and improve from exposure to top rugby.

I should say I really like what they've done by bringing in top class NWQ players like Tito and Rush and then used them to develop their own youngsters like Cook, McCauley & this young No 8 who played last week - can't remember his name soz. I just see Kyriacou holding back the development of some exciting young Blues hookers rather than helping them develop.

Yes and it's a damn shame that TRT is leaving as he has a wealth of experience that would help bring on the younger players.
Ah well, we have far more important things to spend our cash on than the playing squad. Thank Peter Thomas for that.
Dacey and Price look very promising mind.

Course it's doubly a shame as medium to poor standard NWQ players have a tendancy to turn off fans (especially if the product on the pitch is poor), whereas bringing through bright young local boys can really inspire the fans to come along to support the team.

Although I suppose if the boycotts still going on next season then it won't really matter...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Course it's doubly a shame as medium to poor standard NWQ players have a tendancy to turn off fans (especially if the product on the pitch is poor), whereas bringing through bright young local boys can really inspire the fans to come along to support the team.

Although I suppose if the boycotts still going on next season then it won't really matter...

You could be right although I should add the "boycott" isn't being organised or planned. Not that I know of anyway. It's just happening and those in charge need to address this.

It's happening in the worst possible way, we are boycotting for change and are all doing it individually...

Therefore it is not a boycott, it is not something that can be fixed by giving us what we want, it is a total and utter lack of interest in the club being run by the monkeys in charge, and while at the leckwith tin shed!!!

The quality of the NWQ players is poor, but desperate times. There is no money in the pot and no quality on the field, we need a scrum, lineout and grunt up front. Academy boys cannot give you that, it takes years of playing and learning, and until there are some prospects up to speed average foreign players will have to do.

Regarding the total fielded NWQ team the blues could play, put your bollix where your mouths are and name them!!!! It's absolute garbage!

The fact is the Blues have lost a lot of experienced players for numerous reasons, an academy cannot refill a squad, it offers drips of possible talent throughout the season, 1/2 players per season who show promise of this level rugby is a good return!

5 to 7 NWQ players leaving and 4 joining, not a great issue there that I can see. Having lost 3 WQ international front row players this season its not surprising that the Blues cannot backfill all those losses from their accademy. Not having competative front rows is rugby suicide these days so no team can afford to play with an all novice front ro, or as the Blues have demonstrated most of the season, not have competent fresh legs to come off the bench. Teams like Leicester and Northampton Rely on Tongan and Italian props, Ulster have South African s and even Tolouse have the likes of Census Jonstone. So I don't critisise the Blues mangement for ensuring they are at least competative if not dominant in this area.

i think Hobbs and Dacey both will have great futures and I expect them to get lots of starts next year and will hopefully learn a lot from the NWQ boys.

le equipe states that carizza is heading to parc y scarlets. fingers crossed hey!

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Carizza-sur-le-depart/275915

You need all the front five forwards you can get!

It would be awesome if we could get him, and we need good locks especially with Day and Reed going (though has Reed been confirmed?)

Found this story on Western Fail and Nige doesn't seem hopeful
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/04/05/scarlets-poised-to-sign-argentina-ace-manuel-carizza-91466-30700911/

"les Scarlets de Llanelli."

Like Ponty fans the French don't mess about. They know who's who.

Well luckily for us we're not trying to reach out for to the French fans - or Ponty fans for that matter

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Well luckily for us we're not trying to reach out for to the French fans - or Ponty fans for that matter

Well you never know, the regional lines could be redrawn at any time and ...........good luck.

where has the gerwyn price rumour come from?

if he goes to the blues, i will be furious with the dragons management, esp after they let go rhys buckley!

still hes been playing well for keys so deserves a shot as a pro

gavindragons:

watched the game against munster to keep an eye on lewis rawlins who's supposedly signing for us. looks a handy player but needs to put on some timber. there are lot of good players at the keys that i'm surprised the dragons haven't had a look at. marc jones? looks like a good scrummaging prop, dan hodges looks a decent prospect in the second row, gerwyn price, the scrum half rhys dyer looks better than bedford at the dragons & rhys williams the number 8 always looks imressive every time i see him play. although he is probably a bit small to play in the backrow at regional level & at 30 probably has missed the boat. but it does look like the dragons have missed a trick by not looking at these players before the other regions have started taking an interest.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:It would be awesome if we could get him, and we need good locks especially with Day and Reed going (though has Reed been confirmed?)

Found this story on Western Fail and Nige doesn't seem hopeful
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/04/05/scarlets-poised-to-sign-argentina-ace-manuel-carizza-91466-30700911/

Surely the Sacrlets should be looking for an Argintinian prop not lock? They have Welch, Timani, Reed (if he stays), also Shingler and Turnbull can play lock.

That's only two specialist locks Seagul, you need more than that to be competitive. They could use an Argentine prop as well though!

we have welch, timani and possibly reed ( he needs a knee op, so the blues have cooled their interest) however nigel had already decided that dom day and lou reed weren't good enough,and we needed to invest heavily in our front five. think we are in dicussion with a 1st choice lock and TH and also signed Cai Griffiths as backup.Think we will announce our signing over the next 2 months.

pioden gorllewin wrote:we have welch, timani and possibly reed ( he needs a knee op, so the blues have cooled their interest) however nigel had already decided that dom day and lou reed weren't good enough,and we needed to invest heavily in our front five. think we are in dicussion with a 1st choice lock and TH and also signed Cai Griffiths as backup.Think we will announce our signing over the next 2 months.

That sounds promising - I hope Reed stays, but only in addition to a new 1st choice signing

Turnbull would be wasted at lock or anywhere else other than 7 for that matter. He was doing great fetching work last year, provided he's on form I'd love to see him get his chance for Wales this summer at some point.

I think Carizza would be a good signing, still no confirmation on that though.

Knowsit17 wrote:Turnbull would be wasted at lock or anywhere else other than 7 for that matter. He was doing great fetching work last year, provided he's on form I'd love to see him get his chance for Wales this summer at some point.

I think Carizza would be a good signing, still no confirmation on that though.

Turnbull plays mostly as a 6 and is usually best there - when he plays 7 he usually plays more as a 6.5

Scarlets already have Shingler and McCusker as blindside options though.

Knowsit17 wrote:Scarlets already have Shingler and McCusker as blindside options though.

I know, and Gilbert - I was just saying Turnbull isn't an openside he's a blindside or a 6.5

Smirnoff - I always see Turnbull and McCusker as flankers, the same as Daf Jones, they play a certain type of game, and whether you throw a 6, 7 or 8 on their back they will play the same way (and for that matter if you throw a 4 or 5 on their back too).

I know what you mean SS - that's why I said Turnbull (and McCusker) is/are 6.5's and their both very good at it, but I don't see either as out and out 7's which Knowsit17 said Turnbull was and should only be a out and out 7. I also think McGog shouldn't play 8 as like you say he does the same (good) job of a 6/6.5 but there's different skills needed for an 8.


Note - I agree that Turnbull would be wasted at lock and we need to sign a 1st team lock from somewhere

Cardiff should have kept hold of Damien Welch. No idea why he left actually unless it had had something to do with the earlier budget cutbacks.

Cardiff Dave wrote:Cardiff should have kept hold of Damien Welch. No idea why he left actually unless it had had something to do with the earlier budget cutbacks.

Wasn't Ben Morgan in your accademy too?

Was going to say the same about Ben Morgan too spiderman. Welch was actually playing really well for Cardiff RFC at the time, so I'm surprised they allowed him to leave (don't think it was due to cutbacks) Think it was Gareth Jenkins and his scouts just being really proactive in looking for young cheap players within their budget that the region could take a punt on. Did the same with crazy legs Fenby as well - our scouting team should get a lot of credit for the players they've identified.

on another note it looks like we are showing an interest in Davit Zirakashvili of Clermont Auvergne. That's the type of TH we should be targeting!

ooo realy?! I thought he was superb on the weekend, would love it if we could get him.

We've lost a shed load of players this season now so fingers crossed the finances should be there to make this sort of signing. He'd be great to help develop the younger TH's in the region too.

Fingers crossed we can get him (or a player of his calibre) and the Argie 2nd Row.

Think Gareth Jenkins deserves a huge amount of praise for bringing through so many quality youngsters and identifing good prospects that maybe other regions aren't developing.

lots of our salary cap has been freed up with players leaving. also we've got that new investor on board, so hopefully the money is there. Also getting someone like Davit Zirakashvili in would help develop samson lee. then in two years time samson lee & possibly gardiner (if still there) will be ready to take over the TH shirt.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Fingers crossed we can get him (or a player of his calibre) and the Argie 2nd Row.

Think Gareth Jenkins deserves a huge amount of praise for bringing through so many quality youngsters and identifing good prospects that maybe other regions aren't developing.

Totally agree, he has been key in building this team

2ndtimeround wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Fingers crossed we can get him (or a player of his calibre) and the Argie 2nd Row.

Think Gareth Jenkins deserves a huge amount of praise for bringing through so many quality youngsters and identifing good prospects that maybe other regions aren't developing.

Totally agree, he has been key in building this team

another +1. Gypo has been doing a fantastic job fair play to him. It's so easy to forget, but the amount of work he's done and the effort and time he's given to Llanelli and the Scarlets over the years is incredible.

rugbydreamer wrote:

2ndtimeround wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Fingers crossed we can get him (or a player of his calibre) and the Argie 2nd Row.

Think Gareth Jenkins deserves a huge amount of praise for bringing through so many quality youngsters and identifing good prospects that maybe other regions aren't developing.

Totally agree, he has been key in building this team

another +1. Gypo has been doing a fantastic job fair play to him. It's so easy to forget, but the amount of work he's done and the effort and time he's given to Llanelli and the Scarlets over the years is incredible.

I agree that Gareth has made some really good decissions and has spent wisely, that said he has also brought in some average/sub-par players in his time like Hercus and Chummly-Warner (ok, I can't remember his name the little English scrum-half we signed for Worcester CLive something).

ooh that scrum half...Cattle?

And I'd all but blocked Hercus out of my mind! Still, he was better than Bowen....

Since we're talking about Gareth Jenkins, have any of you seen the parody Gareth Jenkins twitter account? tis actual comedy gold!

I meant Gareth Jenkins work with the youth teams and identifing young talent in the last few years (well since the Wales debacle)

Ohh and don't talk about Cattle and Hercus, or even Bowen for that matter...

What's the Twitter name for that account? I've just started getting into it and there's genius spoof accounts for Edwina Hart (Business Assembly Minister - Redwina Hartski) and the Queen (Queen_uk)

I think it's @Gypo_

something like that anyway. Some of the stuff from whoever writes it genuinely makes me LOL.

Think it was clive stuart smith that was signed from worcester. To be fair he was a former england under 21 captain. Just didnt work out for us. Talking about comedy gold - thought the fly on the wall documentary following the welsh world cup campaign in france classic. Gypo, nige and alan phillips were so funny. Worth a watch

pioden gorllewin wrote:Think it was clive stuart smith that was signed from worcester. To be fair he was a former england under 21 captain.

Yeah that was it. Thanks I really struggled with his name, but knew it sounded sort of posh (hence I always called him chummly-warner).

pioden gorllewin wrote:Was going to say the same about Ben Morgan too spiderman. Welch was actually playing really well for Cardiff RFC at the time, so I'm surprised they allowed him to leave (don't think it was due to cutbacks) Think it was Gareth Jenkins and his scouts just being really proactive in looking for young cheap players within their budget that the region could take a punt on. Did the same with crazy legs Fenby as well - our scouting team should get a lot of credit for the players they've identified.

on another note it looks like we are showing an interest in Davit Zirakashvili of Clermont Auvergne. That's the type of TH we should be targeting!

It is indeed. But I won't hold my breathe. For one thing I'm not sure why he'd want to come to PYS when he's with a club that could quite easily have been HC finalists by now. For another, Scarlets would probably struggle to match half his current wage.

On the subject of props and with Kingsley Jones coaching Russia I am surprised not to see some of their players linked with the Regions, would love to see a really narly dog of a Russian/Georgian prop or 2 nd row ate Dave.