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

First topic message reminder :

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

gowales wrote:That's the vision of Gareth Baber for you

The Blues academy is a shambles though, their whole structure is.

Merthyr RFC has the best Youth team in Wales, their the champions, how many of their players in the Blues academy?
None!

So they have the bets team, but none of them individually are good enough for the region!

the western fail have followed the rick o'shea tweet with the campell johnstone story....sure it's lazy journalism on their behalf that they just check all the various rugby forums for stories to write about.


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/05/22/scarlets-track-all-blacks-prop-campbell-johnstone-91466-31024557/

Will be interesting to see next year who's signed the better Cheetahs lock. We've got one as well.

Hope they both go well.

good old fail ...

Not a WUM. Just a thought.

justified:

initially edinburgh were sniffing around george earle according to south african newspapers. not sure why they decided to go for his team mate Isak van der Westhuizen instead. both sound like good players though, like you said hopefully both will be successful.

looks like another prop will be arriving soo:

"Meanwhile, prop Deacon Manu has agreed a contract extension to stay at Parc y Scarlets, ending speculation linking the Fijian skipper with a move to the Dragons. And another prop could soon be unveiled with the Scarlets currently finalising the paperwork on that deal."

from: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/New-Scarlets-lock-add-real-edge-pack/story-16161691-detail/story.html

meanwhile it looks like iestyn is heading to the dragons to replace danny wilson as forwards coach, and shaun conner is heading to ospreys :

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/9720087.Former_Wales_and_Scarlets_prop_set_to_coach_Dragons_forwards__but_skills_coach_Connor_leaves/

So the unnamed prop will be that NZ bloke then at a guess.

Its good to see that Iestyn is going into coaching, and as harsh as it sounds, its good he isn't starting off his coaching career at the Scarlets (otherwise there would be cries of jobs for the boys). Also Shaun Connor to the Ospreys could be an interesting one. He is a pretty level headed genuine bloke, much like Tandy, so it will be interesting to see how the attitutde of the team (and people like Biggar) change with those two at the helm.

Justified - I had pretty much the same thought when I saw you signed Van De Westhasen (sp) from the cheetahs too. Out of interest is he looking to become Scottish by the 2015 RWC?

Also i think the fail comment was aimed at the 'western fail' viewspaper, and not your comment.

justified sinner wrote:Will be interesting to see next year who's signed the better Cheetahs lock. We've got one as well.

Hope they both go well.

In my opinion Izak is the better lock of the two.

I think Darren Edwards has gotten confused, we need a prop AND a forwards coach, not the two rolled into one...

Biltongbek:

Originally Edinburgh were after george earle. Wonder if they saw his teammate and thought he was a better option? They seem like different types of locks from the limited clips ive seen of them.

I think you are correct in your assumption, but I also know, Earle had to be released from his contract before he could sign, where as with V D westhuizen it was most liely not the case.

Perhaps they didn't want to wait to see if griquas would release earle.

It did work out better for them in my opinion.

Waht is a little scary from Earle's position is that last week he said he would be able to play for scotland if he went there, now he says he wants to play for wales.

If he can change his opinion and loyalty that quickly he is in it for the money without a doubt. He doesn't really care who he plays for.

That was the only part of the news i didnt enjoy. Although to be fair wasnt it from his agent? Not actually from him? - not sure

I'd hope he isnt coming over because hes unable to break into the SA squad and he just wants test rugby.

If thats the case, I cant see him ousting any of the welsh-produced locks anyway, not unless he out-performs them all very obviously.

If he wants to wear the welsh jumper, he is is need of some further improvement, I know we have a plethora of BIg, strong, mobile locks, and for anyone it is hard to get to the top in our forward packs.

But he has his work cut out for him.

Its possibly the scarlets asked earle to declare his interest in wales. Currently welsh regions are allowed 6 nwq players and 2 "time serving players" not welsh but eligible to play for walesafter residency. Maybe scarlets asked earles agent to come out with it to free some nwq spots. Personally i don't agree with it.

justified sinner wrote:Will be interesting to see next year who's signed the better Cheetahs lock. We've got one as well.

Hope they both go well.

Sorry Justified - that comment wasn't for you I was just commenting on how rubbish the Western Mail is

I hope the comments are from Earles agent trying to get attention and trying to encourage teams to sign him as he's stating he won't be subject to the Not Qualified quotas

Agent-Anthony Johnson wrote:Playing at the next World Cup [2015 in England] is definitely attractive to the player

I guess he didn't actually say that he wants to play for Wales in the RWC. After all he could impress the Boks management with his performances in a weaker strength pack, and be selected for them in the RWC. (not likely, but technically possible).

also, thanks to pioden and everyone else who has kept this thread updated.

ive found it interesting and useful!

comfort:

croeso/you're welcome.

Looks like the dragons have given up looking for an experienced outside half. they were looking at Francois Brummer who plays for Griquas. While other targets were Phil Goodman who signed for London Scottish and adrian jarvis who signed for bristol.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/9718412.Dragons_end_fly_half_hunt/

Phil Goodman would have been a decent signing for the Dragons - he wouldn't need to play too much with Jones & Robling there and Dan Evans available but would have provided experience

Worrying though that their after the same players who are going to Championship clubs.

They could do well signing the Pacific Island flanker/lock that the Scarlets had on loan a few years ago that's gone to Bristol (can't remember his name but it starts with F and is quite long)

Glad they ended the hunt if that is who they were looking at. Steffan Jones is our number one in my view, a player with great potential. I don't suppose Adam Hughes can play 10 as well as take the kicks? He should if Robling is on the pitch. Speaking of Rob so far he has looked better at 12, the play maker and second five-eight type.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Phil Goodman would have been a decent signing for the Dragons - he wouldn't need to play too much with Jones & Robling there and Dan Evans available but would have provided experience

Yeah, experience of being gash.

We need to sign tight-five forwards or it doesn't matter who we have at ten. Good call imo.

Yeah I think we are okay in the backs. Although we could probably do with adding some bulk; a Tuilagi that can catch would be nice. Still no news of tapping into the resources at Cross Keys?

biltongbek wrote:I think you are correct in your assumption, but I also know, Earle had to be released from his contract before he could sign, where as with V D westhuizen it was most liely not the case.

Perhaps they didn't want to wait to see if griquas would release earle.

It did work out better for them in my opinion.

Waht is a little scary from Earle's position is that last week he said he would be able to play for scotland if he went there, now he says he wants to play for wales.

If he can change his opinion and loyalty that quickly he is in it for the money without a doubt. He doesn't really care who he plays for.

Is his Mam a Shingler?

Morgannwg wrote:Yeah I think we are okay in the backs. Although we could probably do with adding some bulk; a Tuilagi that can catch would be nice. Still no news of tapping into the resources at Cross Keys?

Jack Dixon, come on down...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Worrying though that their after the same players who are going to Championship clubs.

They could do well signing the Pacific Island flanker/lock that the Scarlets had on loan a few years ago that's gone to Bristol (can't remember his name but it starts with F and is quite long)

Jonny Fa'matuinu (sp) or just Jonny F

Stone Motif wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Phil Goodman would have been a decent signing for the Dragons - he wouldn't need to play too much with Jones & Robling there and Dan Evans available but would have provided experience

Yeah, experience of being gash.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Worrying though that their after the same players who are going to Championship clubs.
They could do well signing the Pacific Island flanker/lock that the Scarlets had on loan a few years ago that's gone to Bristol (can't remember his name but it starts with F and is quite long)

Jonny Fa'matuinu (sp) or just Jonny F

Thats the one, dont know why I couldnt remember that name...

Smirnoff - I must be honest he was unarguably one of the best ball handling forwards I have ever seen. The way he would run with the ball clamped in on hand, then dummy a one handed pass etc was just beautiful to see. Hopefully someone in the Rabo will sign him sometime so I can see those skills again.

Cai Griffiths confirmed as going to London Irish

TBJ9625 wrote:Cai Griffiths confirmed as going to London Irish

Is it true London Irish are going to change their name to London Welsh in the future, after all they seem to be signing up Welsh lads like nobodies business.

TBJ9625 wrote:Cai Griffiths confirmed as going to London Irish

Hmm... strange signing that. I guess he'd be cheap though and another tighthead is always useful to have in a squad, even if he's crap.

7 Welsh regions is where where we need to be and I'm glad it's finally happened.

OSPREYS
SCARLETS
BLUES
DRAGONS
LONDON IRISH
WASPS
PERPIGNAN

U forgot london welsh!

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Smirnoff - I must be honest he was unarguably one of the best ball handling forwards I have ever seen. The way he would run with the ball clamped in on hand, then dummy a one handed pass etc was just beautiful to see. Hopefully someone in the Rabo will sign him sometime so I can see those skills again.

Couldnt agree more, he was a bit light weight but fast with great ball skills. Why I think he could be good for the dragons and could opossibly add another dimension to their attack. Particularly as they wouldnt need to use him all the time, just when needed

Smirnoff - IMO if he could pass on his handling skills to Faletau and Lydiate then the Dragons (and Wales) would be laughing.

gowales wrote:

TBJ9625 wrote:Cai Griffiths confirmed as going to London Irish

Hmm... strange signing that. I guess he'd be cheap though and another tighthead is always useful to have in a squad, even if he's crap.

Maybe it was only Garin Jenkins at the Scarlets who thought he had potential and once he went the deal was dead.

I suppose Cai won't make a huge dent in LI's wage bill and allows them cover at TH while trying to develop Cai.

Could be a great move for him, if he can prove himself enough to get gametime. The AV is a good place for props

http://rugby-transfers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/london-irish-sign-another-welshman-in.html

hopefully the move to london irish will kick start his career.

cant believe we kept him for 9 years, he looks like he has rickets, my nan scrumages better and i dont think ive seen carry the ball more than 10 times. No great loss for the ospreys

Well thats one Welsh exile I won't be worried about getting released.

Just seen the western mail story on this

WELSH EXODUS CONTINUES
Cai Griffiths has left the Ospreys to go play in England. The bit part tight-head prop will leave the ospreys at the end of the season.

gcBlues - I can even believe it was written exactly like that knowing how the fail love to be a lovely ballenced viewspaper.

Yeah cos its such a shock and blow what with Griffiths being such an integral part of the current Welsh squad.

Has he been capped, cos one report says he's English qualified to, are they that desperate for t/heads. Surely not

SS, exactly. I could submit that post and it would make the front page!

bedfordwelsh wrote:Yeah cos its such a shock and blow what with Griffiths being such an integral part of the current Welsh squad.

Has he been capped, cos one report says he's English qualified to, are they that desperate for t/heads. Surely not

Apparently the EQ thing was part of Dom Day's decision to leave the Scarlets for Bath. So maybe they have seen Ben Morgan doing well here and decided to invest in possible internationals.

is nigel a step closer in exiting y parc?

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Nigel-Davies-set-leave-Scarlets/story-16183294-detail/story.html