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:Galway may be a small town, but he said small town big club, so that rules out Connacht.

I would love to see it as a U-Turn, and it wouldn't be the first of the season.

Wouldn't Scarlets be discounted in the same way Connacht were?

Forgot about NotNots, NotNotQuites, Wycombe Wasps, Saffacens. Think of them being London.

Sounds like Saints to me. I'm not sure how many flankers they've brought in. With Wilson going Dowson may play more at 8, which would free up a flank.

Think he's signed for italian super 10 side mogliano rugby. Best wishes to you matt.

I guess that is a change of scenery.

Do you think it has anything to do with his deafness? Maybe the bigger clubs aren't willing to risk it

gowales wrote:Do you think it has anything to do with his deafness? Maybe the bigger clubs aren't willing to risk it

That thought never crossed my mind, but I guess it could be something that is (unofficially) held against him.

don't want to get overly excited but the lion fans are saying on their forum that pat ciliers is coming to the scarlets

http://www.keo.co.za/2012/07/05/murray-returns-to-lions-midfield/

I always wondered how Gilbert would be able to hear the calls (refs and teams mates), but it didn't seem to affect him much - I also wondered if he had partial deafness rather than 100%.

All the best to him, will be missed, just a shame he couldn't sign for a team in one of the top leagues.

(I'm sure he would have been a real asset to the Dragons, LW, Connacht, Falcons, or some of the lower down French clubs)

That looks promising Pioden, fingers crossed (almost unconciously I keep glancing at the title of this thread to see it change from Scarlets speak to ... Pat, to Scarlets sign ... Pat)

I'm still trying not to get too excited (and losing)

Only two weeks to go priest, only two weeks to go and hopefully all our signings will be announced. Just keep fingers and toes crossed until then hey!

I think he has two hearing aids on under his scrum cap. And he can lip read. I remember in an interview he said he's fine generally. Occationally they get damaged or knocked out and he can't hear but is that better or worse than someone who's contacts come out and they can't see properly?

I see, I didn't even think of hearing aids. I'm really glad he's played to a good level to prove that these things don't necessarily handicap you when playing rugby.

It's a shame he's left the Scarlets for another reason as Pugh could do sign language, so was easier to communicate on the pitch as well.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I see, I didn't even think of hearing aids. I'm really glad he's played to a good level to prove that these things don't necessarily handicap you when playing rugby.

It's a shame he's left the Scarlets for another reason as Pugh could do sign language, so was easier to communicate on the pitch as well.

Lineout calls in sign-language that would totally mess up the oppsotion

I've always thought they should teach Rees Welsh so we can have Welsh calls, that'll mess up most teams bar maybe the Ospreys, but sign language would take it that step further - next thing you know the hookers will be tapping their foot to morse code!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I've always thought they should teach Rees Welsh so we can have Welsh calls, that'll mess up most teams bar maybe the Ospreys, but sign language would take it that step further - next thing you know the hookers will be tapping their foot to morse code!

I guess the general hooker would lack the brain power.

I suppose so, I've heard that all hookers want is to get their hands on your ball(s)...

pioden gorllewin wrote:Only two weeks to go priest, only two weeks to go and hopefully all our signings will be announced. Just keep fingers and toes crossed until then hey!

I really hope so, but then I thought that 2 weeks ago about an annoucement this week - I'm still hopeful we'll sign Carizza as well (even though that might leave us a bit short at the start of the season).
I think a front 5 of
R Jones, Owens/Rees, Ciliers
Earle/Vallejos, Carizza
would give us a very good platform and allow us to finally compete with the big clubs both in the league and in the HEC (though it'll still be Very, Very difficult to get out of our group).

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:Only two weeks to go priest, only two weeks to go and hopefully all our signings will be announced. Just keep fingers and toes crossed until then hey!

I really hope so, but then I thought that 2 weeks ago about an annoucement this week - I'm still hopeful we'll sign Carizza as well (even though that might leave us a bit short at the start of the season).I think a front 5 of
R Jones, Owens/Rees, Ciliers
Earle/Vallejos, Carizza
would give us a very good platform and allow us to finally compete with the big clubs both in the league and in the HEC (though it'll still be Very, Very difficult to get out of our group).

When Vallejos signed they said he was the first puma to sign for a welsh region, so maybe there will be a second. It will leave us short due to the Quad Nations thing, but hopefully mean we have international standard front five, its been years since we could say that (I Thomas, McBryde, J Davies, C Wyatt, V Cooper)

Another Simon Thomas tweet;

Simon Thomas ‏@simonrug

Word reaches me that former @ospreys utility back Gareth Owen could be joining @scarlets_rugby. He's also of interest to London Welsh.

Simon Thomas was the journo who tweeted about the pat ciliers link.

Interesting - he should be good cover during internationals IF he can stay injury free and work hard.

We wouldn't really need him at FB, which is good for him (as it'll allow him to concentrate on centre/10) and he could be good competition for Aled Thomas/Newton at 10 until Jordan Williams is ready.
How do you feel about it Pioden?

All depends what terms he is looking for financially. Can see him as good back up for priestland and 12. However at this stage of his career he really needs to be starting games on a regular bases. Thats why if i was him id go to london welsh. He undoubtedly has the talent, be a shame if he doesn't fullfill it.

true, that's a good point - it would be either LW or Dragons for me, as Scarlets have lots of centres coming through and are developing depth at 10.

But from a purely selfish point of view he could add some nice depth to our squad.

if you check out gareth owens tweets he's been sharing a lift down to training with tav and kristian. also rumour that barry davies is possibly joining london welsh.

Barry Davies and Gareth Owen at London Welsh would make a big difference. Possible Henson too.

how many NEQ players are LW allowed to have though? isn't there a cap on it?

rugbydreamer wrote:how many NEQ players are LW allowed to have though? isn't there a cap on it?

8 I thought. I have read about it somewhere

"London Welsh know that regulations stipulate 15 of their match-day squad of 23 have to be England qualified, thus ruling out the option of flooding their team with talent from Wales"

That's what I read. Doesn't seem much of a cap hey, if you are allowed more in your extended squad.

Hmm well, we'll see.

A couple of their Welsh guys have come over to Wales the last season or so anyway so maybe they don't have so many there. I know Sonny Parker has signed for them though.

Most of the players are welsh but also qualify for England.

Such a shame that a club of the excited tradition has to lose its identity to conform with premiership rules, move away from home and select players that are not exiles.

An illustrious club will lose a great heritage

yeah but Barry, Henson and Parker are all WQ, not eligible for England at all. I was thinking more about players like them.

Hmmm tricky one...!

So In theory you could have 8 Welsh players starting for LW every week?

That's like having half a region!

That's more welsh players than there are in most English sides in the AP.

Pat Cilliers: Started out with the Sharks, but missed a season through injury. He looked promising at Currie CUp level, but was not getting much of a look-in at Super Rugby level with Jannie Du Plessis and Beast in the Sharks front row. He then moved to the Lions, and now I imagine he's trying to sort out contingency plans for next season in case the Lions get dropped from Super Rugby in favour of the Kings (a debacle that will have to be the subject for another thread). So I imagine he'll only comfirm his transfer, when it is confirmed that the Lions are being dropped!

I hope that's helpful, it is only from my recollection, so is subject to correction

So according to Gwlad (I'm not on there, so don't know), Dragons are signing tight head prop from Connacht, Stewart Maguire. He's previously been at RP and sounds quite a lump.

Anybody on Gwlad who can say more about the rumour please?

thanks mr fishpaste for the info on cilliers.

risca i remember maguire with the welsh u18's and was highly rated. then next thing he was turning out with ireland u20's. from what i've seen of him he would be a really good signing for the dragons.

Thanks very much. I've read he did a number on Wales U20's before, but that's it. I don't know why we would sign him seeing as we have signed Timmy Ryan, but there we go

Looks like a done deal, Rev:

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Personnel.aspx?pr=185194

how many TH's do the dragons have on their books at the moment? Ryan, Buck, Way and Maguire?

Evening Post reporting the Owen to Scarlets story:

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Gareth-Owen-poised-join-Scarlets/story-16504351-detail/story.html

I think that's the lot, Pioden. I thought Nathan Buck did well for us last season, in the loose certainly, but competition for places is a good thing I suppose.

Agree luckless think Buck showed up well last season. Does look like the Dragons are building up some depth in the front row. Just need a few locks and you'll be sorted for the new season. Any news on that front? Did hear that the Dragons were showing interest in Carmarthen Quins lock Haydn Pugh.

We signed Nimmo from the Cornish Pirates, he's represented Scotland at age-group level so he should be decent. He's not quite a like-for-like replacement for Charteris, but we're trying to live within our means, which is only right.

Pioden, it was a shame that we couldn't take any of the Scarlets locks who left, but according to the interview with Beale and Edwards they made approaches to every one but were turned down by them all (Dom Day, Damian Welch and Lou Reed), possibly as we couldn't offer enough money. The Dragons are often criticised for not going for players ('why is Eifion Roberts not offered a contract' or 'why is Dwayne Peel not being approached', 'Rhys Gill should join the Dragons', etc.) but I think the reality is that we do go in for them behind closed doors but players simply dont want to come or price themselves too high (and who can blame them if another team is willing to pay that money).

Griff wrote:Pioden, it was a shame that we couldn't take any of the Scarlets locks who left, but according to the interview with Beale and Edwards they made approaches to every one but were turned down by them all (Dom Day, Damian Welch and Lou Reed), possibly as we couldn't offer enough money. The Dragons are often criticised for not going for players ('why is Eifion Roberts not offered a contract' or 'why is Dwayne Peel not being approached', 'Rhys Gill should join the Dragons', etc.) but I think the reality is that we do go in for them behind closed doors but players simply dont want to come or price themselves too high (and who can blame them if another team is willing to pay that money).

TO be honest that is one thing during the summer that really gets me miffed. Player X leaves the Ospreys and straight away he is linked with the Dragons (and occationall the Scarlets), as if they are the poor relatives who need to feed off the scraps that are gifted to them. Not every player who is out of contract will want to go to the Dragons, and not every one of those players is are actually any better (value for money wise) than the Dragons already have, and not every player that is a better option (value for money) would fit in with the other players and systems at the Dragons either.

I know Derwyn Jones who is Dom Day's agent got him a big salary at Bath, also a few teams like Edinburgh were after Lou Reed before he signed for Cardiff. Baxter had been chasing Welch for a while, so I think it was always likely he was going to join Exeter Chiefs once the Scarlets allowed him to leave with a year remaining on his contract. It is a difficult situation for the Dragons trying to recruit players who fit within their playing budget and show value for money. However this summer I think Edwards has recruited well with Dan Evan, Tom Prydie and Nimmo. Know very little about Ryan, but if he came in at the right price then he is worth a punt on. Still think could probably do with signing another lock to replace Scott Morgan as a possible squad filler. Sidoli isn't getting any younger but think there is another season left in him (wasn't he player of the year last season?) I know the former UWIC lock Josh Taylor who is with you guys is highly regarded and possibly could push on this season. Llanelli RFC have been sniffing around Ashley Sweet of Ebbw Vale, does anyone know anything about him?

With a name like that, presumably he smells nice.

Rob Lloyd (llanelli star) has tweeted that Gareth Owen has signed a 2 year deal with scarlets.

If it's true, suprised they've given him a 2year deal rather than a 1 year or pay as you play.

Hopefully this means that they've rigourly tested him in training and are confident he's recovered from his injuries and is maybe even over his terrible injury record.

From The Scarlets website....


The Scarlets have confirmed that one of Wales' most talented young backs Gareth Owen has signed a two-year contract with the region.


Owen, 23, who is from Bridgend, joins Parc y Scarlets from the Ospreys where he was regarded as one of their most promising up-and-coming players.
The utility back who can play at full-back, centre or fly-half, has appeared 50 times for the Ospreys and has Wales 7's caps under his belt as well as being capped at international age-grade with appearances for Wales U19's in the IRB World Championships and then onto U20's. Owen started his domestic club rugby with Maesteg RFC.

Owen is back in training after missing last season with a significant knee ligament injury but is delighted with the opportunity being given to him by the Scarlets to get back on the pitch and is already enjoying pre-season training at Parc y Scarlets after being released by the Ospreys.

Scarlets Attack Coach Mark Jones said: "Gareth is a talented player, we've obviously seen him perform here in Wales for a few years and the attraction for us is that he's so versatile, has real potential on the field for us and can provide some exciting attacking options.

"He is in pre-season training and looking very comfortable and with the support and knowledge that we have in terms of our conditioning and medical team who have a great deal of experience working with knee injuries, we are looking forward to supporting him on his return to full fitness and witnessing his rugby talent back on the field.

"We understood that he was eager for the right opportunity to get back on the field and we feel it will be a really good fit for both the Scarlets and Gareth in terms of the potential and skill he offers as a player and his future rugby development. We believe it's important to keep promising up-and-coming players like Gareth in the Welsh rugby system, rather than risk losing them to a foreign club."

Gareth Owen said: "This is a great opportunity for me and I'm really eager to get back onto the field and enjoy my rugby again. It's been a long break but that just motivates you more.

"The Scarlets have a very ambitious squad and strong coaching team and I think I'll fit in very well here in terms of the style of play and the energy there is around the set-up at Parc y Scarlets.

"I have a lot of respect for the coaches here; Simon Easterby, Mark Jones and Danny Wilson have clear goals and ambitions for next season and I'm really excited by the challenge ahead of me. I'm grateful for the support they are giving and that they are showing faith in my ability and backing my return to form.

"It's been tough having to sit-out for a season, but it just makes you more determined and I'm keen to get game time. This is a very competitive environment here in terms of the Scarlets backs division and the strike players the region has, so that will really push me on.

"This is a very positive move for me and I look forward to working hard in the pre-season and getting back on the pitch in the forthcoming season."

pioden gorllewin wrote:Rob Lloyd (llanelli star) has tweeted that Gareth Owen has signed a 2 year deal with scarlets.

Sorry for doubting your source ...