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

i dont think we will be signing price, we offered rhys buckley less than 30k a year due to budget restraints, seems we are having steve jones as our senior hooker with young (and i assume cheap) sam parry backing him up

I was just reading the original post at the top there, and it made me wonder is anyone going to give Sean Holley a job?

Priest - I've had a word with him on twitter and yep it does appear that Gilbert is going. Gutted

Thats a huge shame and very silly, not only has gilbert shown up very well and could do no more to get a contract, but also since morgan has left we are light at 8 and need good (and cheap) players like gilbert

worse is he was told he was going to have a contract, his agent made amendments to it months ago, and he was fobbed off week after week saying a decision would be made soon, and made to wait until last monday when he was told "oh no, sorry we aren't offering you a new one"

Blydi poor player management, hasn't exactly left him much time to search for new employment now has it? Disappointed he's gone as we could do with no 8 cover from him too.

Pretty awful if true, Gilbert looked a good prospect too. I hope someone gives him a contract - wouldn't mind him at the Blues, and the Ospreys could certainly use a few decent up and coming backrowers.

I think his agent has been a bit naive, wales606, but either way, I don't like even rumours of Scarlets conducting themselves in this way. It's not a professional way of running a business.

Gumbie is superb, and he's had stand out moments for us in the HEC with tries away against Saints and Castres. He's really fitted in in the area off the pitch as well, so he could turn out to be a big loss for us.

To be fair gypo and nigel have a history of poor comunication with players. Gumbie wasn't actually asking for much either, just an improvement on his semi pro contract. Stuff like playing bonus - his father gave an example on sf. If gumbie trained all week and went out to italy and benched. Cause he didnt come on he was out of pocket after paying airport parking fee etc... scarlets in particularly gypo and nige havent covered themselves in glory on this one.

Who is 'gypo'?

Gypo = Gareth Jenkins

and just for more info if you ever see us revering to someone as Pwd, that's Nigel Davies

Really bad news about Gilbert, his development and that of Murphy meant that losing Ben Morgan should not have been a huge blow. If Gilbert is going then it looks like we are lightweight in the backrow. We've already got a position where backrowers are likely to have to cover lock!

With all the locks leaving and SJ off to - there must be a fair bit of money around surely? - especially with the £200,000 from Gloucester?

I can't see Gilbert being on much of a salary, so I really don't know why he is being let go when they need no8s - Gilbert has already played a fair bit this season because he was the best available.

wales606 wrote:With all the locks leaving and SJ off to - there must be a fair bit of money around surely? - especially with the £200,000 from Gloucester?

I can't see Gilbert being on much of a salary, so I really don't know why he is being let go when they need no8s - Gilbert has already played a fair bit this season because he was the best available.

It's even worse when you consider in the last 2 seasons we've lost King, Lyons, Lamont, S Jones, R Thomas, I Thomas, B Morgan, V Cooper, M Jones & D Jones - all of which must have been on decent wages (except Morgan but we got £100,000 for him) - we also got the £100,000 for Nige as well.

And according to someone who seems to know Gilbert quite well on SF he was on less than a college lecturer with a below average wage (I'm assuming £25k), it's madness

Also looking at the Scarlets squad as far as I can work out we only have 6 NWQ players (and even then 1 or 2 could be project players) so I can't see Gilbert being let go for being English.

Ionghi
Peter Edwards
Timani
Manu
Earle
Gilbert

So even if we did sign Eaton and Johnson we'd still be within the cap as we're allowed 8 NWQ players and Edwards and Gilbert haven't been capped by England so would qualify as project players (even if they've stated they don't intend on playing for Wales).

Any way you look at it it's disgusting treatment and doesn't make sense

It is now confirmed, the Blues have signed Lou Reed from the Scarlets.

LordDowlais wrote:It is now confirmed, the Blues have signed Lou Reed from the Scarlets.

Reed is a very good lock, certainly the best scrumaging lock at PYS. His problem has allways been fitness. He is very injury prone and seems to take half a dozen games to get back to match fitness then he gets injured again. If Tulip can keep him fit and free from injuries he will be a very good aquisition for the Blues.

dragons are looking at players within their region and invited them for pre season training, as reported by the argus:

"Among them are Cross Keys hooker Gerwyn Price, back row forward Hywel Stoddart and his new Newport teammates Rhys Downes and Dan Robinson and Bedwas' Richard Powell, Ross Wardle and Craig Lodge, a fly-half, centre and lock respectively"

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/9752155.Dragons_give_Premiership_aces_a_chance_to_impress/

also confirmed that reed and borrust is confirmed :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18372148

is rhys downes the scrumhalf from ponty? i take it hywel stoddard is morgan's younger brother? is he any good?

Rhys Downes is the Ponty SH who is contracted to the Blues...so it best not be him your nicking , weve already lost Rees.

Love this. Shows players if they work hard enough then they can get a shot!

So we'll have one Stoddart at the Dragons and the other still at the Scarlets....interesting....

All I see is the Dragons taking my advice on board. Too bad for you, you'll have to dig deeper elsewhere if you want me to look like a 'holly wilabobie', whatever one of those is?

Morgannwg wrote:All I see is the Dragons taking my advice on board. Too bad for you, you'll have to dig deeper elsewhere if you want me to look like a 'holly wilabobie', whatever one of those is?

Morg - how could the Dragons been taking your advice if they've been doing the same thing for the last few seasons and haven't changed this year?

Just wondering.

But Morg - I doubt the Dragons are saying they won't sign any NWQ players if they can.

Just because their bringing in Academy/WP players like they do every year it doesn't exclude them from making other signings to strengthen their squad.

I mean look at the Scarlets, we've signed a lock from Cross Keys, will be promoting D Thomas, Samson Lee and maybe Rob Evans, (promoting youth/WP players same as every season) but we still need to sign players that are immediately ready to make the step up like Earle, and prehaps Johnson and Eaton.

What I mean is that it's good that the Dragons continue to look within their region, but I doubt many of them will be ready to make the step up straight away and could need a season or far more to get up to Pro12 standard - and that's where other signings come in handy - they strengthen a squad immediately.

I understand what your saying Morg, but it came across as you saying the Dragons had just started doing it, when they've been doing it for ages.

IMO all teams need to promote youth from the region but also need to make select NWQ signings as well - be that the hugely talented ones like Bowe, King, Rush ect or the squad depth, cover for the Welsh internationals such as Ionghi, Tuilagi, Copeland and Patterson - as this allows the teams to build depth and bring on the WP youngsters slowly allowing them to develop, instead of throwing them in when the 6N's is on

It was not intended to come across that way. I'm also hoping they promote Pontypool 8 Ieuan Jones aswell, he has had an LV cup game or two as far as I know. He's a pretty big guy and only 18, he should be starting over Hamilton in the U20s on current form.

NWQ have their uses, some need them for squad depth. Scarlets being the prime example after losing three 2nd rows. But if in the future we can keep all the top internationals here then they would not be as useful.

Morgannwg wrote:NWQ have their uses, some need them for squad depth. Scarlets being the prime example after losing three 2nd rows. But if in the future we can keep all the top internationals here then they would not be as useful.

Except for when the Welsh Ints are away with the Welsh squad (which is half a season) and for continutity

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I understand what your saying Morg, but it came across as you saying the Dragons had just started doing it, when they've been doing it for ages.

IMO all teams need to promote youth from the region but also need to make select NWQ signings as well - be that the hugely talented ones like Bowe, King, Rush ect or the squad depth, cover for the Welsh internationals such as Ionghi, Tuilagi, Copeland and Patterson - as this allows the teams to build depth and bring on the WP youngsters slowly allowing them to develop, instead of throwing them in when the 6N's is on

I'd put Paterson it that first category - player of the season and all

I know I agree Wales606, I think he's had an awesome season. I just mentioned him as I think when he was signed he was meant as cover for the back 5 and to provide strength and depth to the squad while he developed.

He is now as you say one of the 1st forwards on the team sheet.

Ospreys release 10 players, including the likes of gareth owen. which region do you think he'll join if any?

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Owen-10-released-Ospreys/story-16346074-detail/story.html

I'm suprised by Owen's release, he's been injured for the whole of last season so i thought he would have been given a shot. I wanted to see him at fullback next year, hope he can find another region. The Scarlets, Blues or Dragons could use him or even an English club or French one so this isn't the last we've seen of him. In fact i'd push Mallinder at the Saints to try and sign him up, he could be a good 12 for them.

Not surprised by O'Toole's release as he's been crap in every game he's played.

I was very impressed by Watermayer's debut, perplexed that he hasn't played any league games. Maybe they didn't play him more so that they didn't have to pay him.

I wanted to Barry Davies to stay so we would have some experience and at least one out and out fullback in the squad!

I thought Craig Cross looked like a good prospect at tighthead but we've got Aaron Jarvis and Joe Rees. Also, maybe he just hasn't improved in the scrums, Cardiff Blues take note with Scott Andrews!

Dai Flanagan was nothing more than a squad player so i guess Sam Davies will play a bit more next year, especially if Biggar is in the Wales squad.

Not really supirsed by the other releases they are just squad/reserve players so i guess they'll look to the Academy/Welsh prem to bring in some replacements... or not?

I guess that the salary cap being introduced means that they'll have to cut back and have a smaller squad. But i hope that Tandy and co are going to sign up some new players because the back three in particular next year is looking very light

We're still building the squad so i'm not excpeting much in the HC, let's just try and build. Baby steps people! baby steps

I'd love the Dragons to sign some of the released players, and I'm sure we'll try, but I expect some to turn their noses up at us (can't entirely blame them) and would prefer to join the English Championship.

I think Owen, Watermayer and Craig Cross could get into a English Prem side but yeah the rest would be Championship material.

Gowales, this is what I don't get with some posters (not you). Just because players become available, released by one region as they're not good enough, you'll have some posters saying that the Dragons should sign them up, and those posters get annoyed when we don't, yet those players are often only good enough for the English Championship. While that is a good league, surely if we're to have aspirations of competing in the Rabo and getting into the HC then we need to be going for a better quality of player. You mark my words, if some of these go to the English Championship then the Dragons will be berated for not giving them a contract!

I know exactly what you mean Griff.

I think Barry Davies, Owen, and Cross will most likely be picked up by another region, and personally I would be happy to see the Scarlets pick them all up.

Barry Davies may be getting old however he is still a pretty good player, and would give experience to the side during the AIs/6Ns etc.

Gareth Owen looked like he had potential to be a good player, but also has a bit of a young Hook/Henson, so I guess it may be a gamble on him.

And Cross looked like a pretty solid lump of a tighthead when he was younger, so should be welcome at most regions.

Also I wouldn't be suprised to see Liam Williams (or Matt Gilbert) get snapped up by one of the other regions too.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Also I wouldn't be suprised to see Liam Williams (or Matt Gilbert) get snapped up by one of the other regions too.

Liam Williams has been released

Liam Davies

Would like to see the Blues pick up Barry or Gareth O. We could do with someone to cover for Halfpenny at Fullback during the international now that Blair has gone and i dont think Fish is up to much.

Coleman wrote:Would like to see the Blues pick up Barry or Gareth O. We could do with someone to cover for Halfpenny at Fullback during the international now that Blair has gone and i dont think Fish is up to much.

Czekaj will play 15.

We could use Owens to replace Gavin Evan

Wouldn't surprise me if Phil Davies took a chance on Gareth Owen, covers fullback and fly half which makes him unique as we wil need cover for 1/2p throughout the year and at 10 because we only have 2 and one of them is sweeney And he'll be cheap.

Also i would sign Barry Davies as he will come on a similar wage to czekaj but won't be totally horrendous.

wales606 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Also I wouldn't be suprised to see Liam Williams (or Matt Gilbert) get snapped up by one of the other regions too.

Liam Williams has been released

Ooops wrong one! That said with our player management at the moment who knows

gcBlues wrote:Wouldn't surprise me if Phil Davies took a chance on Gareth Owen, covers fullback and fly half which makes him unique as we wil need cover for 1/2p throughout the year and at 10 because we only have 2 and one of them is sweeney And he'll be cheap.

Also i would sign Barry Davies as he will come on a similar wage to czekaj but won't be totally horrendous.

Didn't you already sign a Fly Half/Fullback in Tovey??

Also not too sure about the relationship between Phil Davies and Barry Davies, as he was one of the Scarlets that upped and left during Phil Davies' reign (when he lost the locker room so to speak).

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

wales606 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Also I wouldn't be suprised to see Liam Williams (or Matt Gilbert) get snapped up by one of the other regions too.

Liam Williams has been released

Ooops wrong one! That said with our player management at the moment who knows

I guessed

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

gcBlues wrote:Wouldn't surprise me if Phil Davies took a chance on Gareth Owen, covers fullback and fly half which makes him unique as we wil need cover for 1/2p throughout the year and at 10 because we only have 2 and one of them is sweeney And he'll be cheap.

Also i would sign Barry Davies as he will come on a similar wage to czekaj but won't be totally horrendous.

Didn't you already sign a Fly Half/Fullback in Tovey??

Also not too sure about the relationship between Phil Davies and Barry Davies, as he was one of the Scarlets that upped and left during Phil Davies' reign (when he lost the locker room so to speak).

Tovey will be rather busy playing FH though! Plus he is always injured.

Well we have Tovey, but i would say he would be first choice 10 and shouldn't be moved to 15 at all. We need a fly half, he was bought on that pretense and i would have thought we'd keep it that way..

About BD, he's just a guy i would take a punt on. But i would say he'd more likely go back to the scarlets to finish off his career. He still has a ltot to offer and will be valuable for any team he joins.

Agree with everything you said there gowales.

I'm surprised that stefan watermayer has been released from the game time I've seen him play (MOTM in one game) , think he would be a good addition to the Dragons midfield and add some physicality there. Unfortunately Tugilali seems to have the presence but without the hands, but maybe coming back from injury he has been a bit ring rusty and with a good pre season under his belt we'll hopefully see an improvement in him.

Think Barry Davies would be a luxury signing for the other region. Most would like him to add depth and experience to there back three, but have adequate enough cover.

Blues: Halfpenny,Czekaj, Fish.
Scarlets: Liam Williams, D Newton, M Stoddard
Dragons: Prydie, D Evans & W Harris

The problem with Gareth Owen is he would benefit most regions as an utility player, however for his own sake needs to settle in one position. Again which region can offer him regular rugby in one position?

Blues: (10) Tovey (12) Jamie Roberts (15) Halfpenny
Scarlets (10) Priestland (12) Scott Williams (15) Liam Williams
Dragons (10) S Jones (12) Lewis Robling (15) T Prydie

Out of those teams it looks like the Dragons can offer him the best opportunity for regular rugby in one position.

TH props are hard to come by these days, however with Cross having already been released from the Scarlets and Ospreys it only leaves the Blues and Dragons. The Dragons have done well to build up their own depth in the front row. While the Cardiff Blues have only just announced the signing of Bourrust and re-signing of Filise. It looks like the Campbell Johnstone (NZ Tighthead) transfer to the scarlets has fallen through after he failed a medical. So maybe a return to the Scarlets is a possibility.

Interesting times eh ploden

On another note if Watermayer wants to play for Wales like he said he did when he first arrived he should try his luck at the Dragons and see what happens!

pioden gorllewin wrote:It looks like the Campbell Johnstone (NZ Tighthead) transfer to the scarlets has fallen through after he failed a medical.

Thats a shame, we didn't pick up Baird a few seasons ago because he failed a medical. Is it that we are being a bit over causious (sp? sorry I tried about 8 differnt spellings and not on looked right) with medicals after we have signed a few injury prone players (Meeuws/Marling)?