Welsh Regions Signings/Departures/Rumours 2013 (Scarlets set to offer James "cub" Davies a contract)

Ospreys

In

Tito Tebaldi (Zebra) – Confirmed
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets) - Rumour

Out

Kahn Fotuali'i (Northampton Saints) - Confirmed
Jonathan Thomas (Bayonne/Worcester Warriors) - Rumour
Jonathan Humphries (Scotland Forwards Coach) - Confirmed
Campbell Johnstone ( Russian Club) - Confirmed
George Stowers (Tasman) - Confirmed

Scarlets

In

Steven Shingler ( London Irish) –Confirmed
Ed Jackson (London Welsh ) – Rumour
Andrew Coombes (Dragons) - Rumour
Gareth Delve ( Melbourne Rebels) - Rumour
Serge Lilo (Wellington Lions) - Rumour
John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) - Confirmed
Nick Cummins (Western Force) - Rumour
Farid Sid (Perpignan)- Rumour
Opeti Fonua (Agen) - Rumour
Brett Deacon (Leicester Tigers) - Rumour
Regan King (Backs/Skills Coach) - Rumour
Genesis Mamea (Wellington) - Rumour
Darran Harris (Pontypridd) - Rumour


Out

Tomas vallejos cinalli (Pampas XV) – Confirmed
Gareth Maule (London Irish/Munster) – Rumour
Adam Warren (Cardiff)- Rumour
Scott Williams (Cardiff) – Rumour
Sione Timani (Agen) – Confirmed
Rhodri Williams (Ospreys) – Rumour
Tavis Knoyle ( Gloucester) – Confirmed
Gareth Davies ( Cardiff) –Rumour
Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers) – Confirmed
Jonathan Edwards (Released) – Confirmed
Andy Fenby (London Irish) - confirmed
Morgan Stoddart (Retired) - Confirmed
Dan Newton (London Scottish) - Confirmed
Kieron Murphy (London Welsh/Edingburgh) - Rumour
George North ( Northampton Saints)- Confirmed
Rheon James (Cornish Pirates)- Confirmed
Richie Pugh (Released) -Confirmed
Rhys Jones (Released) - RumourConfirmed
Dale Ford (Released/Bristol) - Confirmed
Samson Lee (Glouceste) - Rumour
Peter Edwards (Released) -Confirmed
Craig Hawkins (Released) - Confirmed
Craig Price (Leicester Tigers) -Rumour


Dragons

In

Ross Wardle (Bedwas) - Confirmed
Richie Rees (Edinburgh) - Confirmed
Luciano Orquera (Zebre) -Rumour
Martin Muller (Cheetahs) - Confirmed
Juan Gomez (Pampas XV) - Rumour
Netani Talei (Edingburgh) - Confirmed
Francisco Chaparro (Stade Francias) - Confirmed
Kris Burton (Treviso) - Confirmed
Rhys Thomas (Wasps)- Confirmed
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland) - Rumour



Out

Andrew Coombes (Scarlets) – Rumour
Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)- Confirmed
Steve Jones (Retired)- Confirmed
Tom Brown (Released/Jersey) - Confirmed
Tondi Chavhanga (Released) - Confirmed
Iestyn Thomas (Retired) - Confirmed
Josh Tyler (Released) - Confirmed
Hywel Stoddart (Released) - Confirmed

Blues

In

Filo Paulo (North Harbour) - confirmed
Matthew Rees (Scarlets) Confirmed
Liam Davies (confirmed - until end of season)
Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) - Confirmed
Rhys Gill (Saracens) - rumoured
Adam Warren (Scarlets) - rumoured
Scott Williams –(Scarlets) – rumoured
Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) – rumour
Gareth Davies ( Scarlets) - rumour

Out

Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro) - not confirmed
Tom James (Exeter Chiefs) -confirmed
Richard Mustoe (retirement) -confirmed
Fau Filise - (retirement) rumour
Ceri Sweeney (Exeter Chiefs) - Confirmed
Leigh Halfpenny (Clermont) - Rumour
Michael Paterson (Sale Sharks) - Confirmed
Campese Ma'afu (Nottingham) -Confirmed

Did this at the end of the season last year, but it looks like a lot of the rugby transfers have started early this year. Dragons DOR Robert Beale has stated he’s looking to recruit a TH, lock, 10 and possible a midfielder for next season. There’s a lot of movement within the Scarlets squad as they look to move players on, to strengthen at 7, 8 and wing. Blues as well documented are currently re building their pack and are set to announce a replacement for the departing Jamie Roberts. Finally probably the least active region in recruiting will be the Ospreys. They’ve replaced Kahn with Tebaldi, and Tandy states he’s only looking to strengthen on the Wing for next season.

South Wales Argus state that Dragons in hunt for 10 after missing out on Goode & Robinson:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/10271472.Dragons_push_on_with_hunt_for_a_10/

While Scarlets look set to lose young 10 Owen Williams:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/story-18354349-detail/story.html#axzz2MvsF1SJG

Richie Rees is moving from Edinburgh to Dragons at the end of the season

pioden gorllewin wrote:Blues

In

Filo Paulo (North Harbour) - confirmed
Matthew Rees (Scarlets) ConfirmedLiam Davies (confirmed - until end of season)
Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) - Confirmed
Rhys Gill (Saracens) - rumoured
Craig Mitchell (Exeter) - rumoured
Adam Warren (Scarlets) - rumoured
Scott Williams –(Scarlets) – rumoured
Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) – rumour
Gareth Davies ( Scarlets) - rumour

So looks like good news for Cardiff based Scarlets fans, they can save the cost of travelling to Llanelli and watch the majority of our side playing at CAP instead

To be honest though if the Blues look like they should be pushing for a home semi-final in the playoffs next season with the signings they are making/rumoured.

Pat_Mustard wrote:Richie Rees is moving from Edinburgh to Dragons at the end of the season

That should be an interesting one, as he has been pretty outstanding for Edinburgh this season. Looks to be almost back to his best. If he can keep that going, and the Dragons can keep their backline they should be leathal on the counter attack next season.

do the dragons need another 9 with jon evans and wayne evans on the books? also who's making the decisions on the recruitment if edwards and beale are possibly leaving in the summer?

spiderman: think possibly one, max two will be leaving the west for the city i reckon. only reason a scrumhalf has been mentioned is cause easterby stated he was open to a 9 to leave.

Yeah I assumed that it would be a centre and maybe a scrum half if required. OUt of interest any idea on what is happening with the likes of Peel, Delve and Co, exiled but at the ends of their contracts?

Spoke to one of Delves family members who said that Gareth does wants to come home preferably to the Blues. But he has so many options and all financially better than Wales. Dwayne is expecting his 2nd child and him and his partner are very "cymru cymraeg" so could see him coming back. But apart from the Blues can't see many openings for him at a Welsh region.

Here's the link to the Dragons signing of Rees:

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3825_8547253,00.html

That's a really pleasant surprise for me as a Dragons fan. Always rated him. Not sure of him as international class, but is certainly very good at club/regional/pro level. Has looked very good for Edinburgh.

I've said it a few times, but if (a big if) the Dragons can entice just 4 or 5 of the ex pats to rodney parade, to compliment some of the youngsters that we have, then we would see some real improvements. Finance is obviously the problem, so maybe we've had an investor. I think I heard of Scrum V the other night that the Dragons have secured some extra money??? Let's hope so. And let's hope for some more signings - players like Mitchell at Exeter, or Cai Griffiths or Eiffion Roberts would be great (although not seen much of Eiffion lately so he may have gone rubbish).

Griff looks like dragons have money to recruit, especially if Robert beale says you only just missed out on Goode & robinson. They'd have been on reasonable big contracts if they had signed.

Who does the Wales U20 fly half play for ? He looks decent.

Rees is a good signing. Good scrum half and possible captain material. Wayne Evans is pretty ordinary nowadays. He had been pushing for international honours for a couple season but kept on losing out to inferior players like Knoyle. Why are Scarlets letting Williams go? Is it a case of you having depth in that position so just randomly letting either on of the fly-half/full backs leave? He is better than Shingler IMO.

munkian wrote:Who does the Wales U20 fly half play for ? He looks decent.

Would you be talking a about Nigel's son? He is on the Ospreys books. Decent isn't the word, more like rubbish.

If LW go down we'll have the orange one please

Really Morg? I thought he looked pretty good in atrocious weather in the U20 6N.

You must be easily pleased then. I've watched him since last season and I don't think he offers enough to be considered best in Wales. He was also used as the stop-gap for that season, like he is now as we await the return of Rhys Patchell.

Griff wrote:Really Morg? I thought he looked pretty good in atrocious weather in the U20 6N.

Snap Griff

Richie to the Drags? Didn't see that coming.
At last, some good news for the Dave Paraders.

Morgannwg wrote:Rees is a good signing. Good scrum half and possible captain material. Wayne Evans is pretty ordinary nowadays. He had been pushing for international honours for a couple season but kept on losing out to inferior players like Knoyle. Why are Scarlets letting Williams go? Is it a case of you having depth in that position so just randomly letting either on of the fly-half/full backs leave? He is better than Shingler IMO.

We wanted to keep Williams and offered him a contract. Unfortunately Tigers came in with a better offer by the sounds of things. Scarlets couldn't justify increasing their offer cause we already have priestland, aled thomas, shingler, dan newton, gareth owen & jordan williams who can all cover that position. scarlets are looking to strengthen at 7 & 8 for next season, so need to offload elsewhere in the squad.

gutted to be losing owen williams, thought he'd push priestland for a starting spot next season. looks more of a complete player than priestland.

Who do you think you'll be offloading next?

Possibly timani, Jon Edwards, a scrum half & nic Reynolds + another centre. Also maybe the welsh 7 boys of Richie Pugh & lee Williams.

Then in ideal world recruit a 7, 8, wing and possibly LH.

A LH? You have the U20s LH on your books, and what has happened to Rob Evans?

Morgannwg wrote:A LH? You have the U20s LH on your books, and what has happened to Rob Evans?

Jones, John, Evans, and Hopkins. Evans is coming back from injury, think he has only had one appearance off the bench so far.

Exactly. So why search for another LH. Perhaps it should be TH and hooker.

Morgannwg wrote:You must be easily pleased then. I've watched him since last season and I don't think he offers enough to be considered best in Wales. He was also used as the stop-gap for that season, like he is now as we await the return of Rhys Patchell.

Are you thinking of someone else ? Hes had a superb game so far along with our 9

Yeah got Rhodri Jones, Rob Evans, Gareth thomas, Hopkins and Phil John. But not much experience there. Phil john has done great job this season, but struggles against better opposition. Bit of a luxury to recruit an experienced LH, all depends what's left in the budget.

munkian wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:You must be easily pleased then. I've watched him since last season and I don't think he offers enough to be considered best in Wales. He was also used as the stop-gap for that season, like he is now as we await the return of Rhys Patchell.

Are you thinking of someone else ? Hes had a superb game so far along with our 9

You do know this comment was made before tonights game right? Yeah I'll admit he played fairly well tonight. But his kicking from the tee, pace, defence and passing still leaves a lot to be desired for. Therefore the comment is still valid. Nice try though. Rhodri Williams is another good Scarlets scrum-half with Heineken Cup experience. With Llandovery he was regulary getting WP player of the month.

I thought he was just as good in horrible conditions in Italy too

Yeah you already said that.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:Blues

In

Filo Paulo (North Harbour) - confirmed
Matthew Rees (Scarlets) ConfirmedLiam Davies (confirmed - until end of season)
Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) - Confirmed
Rhys Gill (Saracens) - rumoured
Craig Mitchell (Exeter) - rumoured
Adam Warren (Scarlets) - rumoured
Scott Williams –(Scarlets) – rumoured
Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) – rumour
Gareth Davies ( Scarlets) - rumour

So looks like good news for Cardiff based Scarlets fans, they can save the cost of travelling to Llanelli and watch the majority of our side playing at CAP instead

To be honest though if the Blues look like they should be pushing for a home semi-final in the playoffs next season with the signings they are making/rumoured.

Cardiff Blues, like Cardiff City Bluebirds, will be playing in a red hue of some sort next season to make the ex-Scarlet players feel more at home.
Llanelli Phil'll sort it.

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/5626.php

Scarlets confirm exit of Owen Williams to Tigers

In fairness, we will only be signing one of those Scarlets SH, and probably only one of those centres

wales606 wrote:In fairness, we will only be signing one of those Scarlets SH, and probably only one of those centres

Yeah i think it is pretty safe to say that it's a max. of one of each. And to be fair as gutting as it will be to lose any of them, it whoever it is in the centre will be first choice and the other will be a starter for the Scarlets, so it will give players gametiime and be better for team wales. Sadly the scrum half will most likely end up with splinters from bench warming.

one possibly two max tothe blues.....don't think the scarlets want to lose that many players. but it seems out of our control at the moment. 1st the blow of losing owen williams, now there is talk of fenby going.

Rumours circulating in the Scarlet region that Tavis Knoyle is to leave the region in the summer. There is also rumours that Dan Newton going to Rotherham Titans and Andy Fenby to LI or Newcastle Falcons.

Fenby was linked with Newcastle last season too, so I guess if they go up he will be headed there (ain't that where he joined us from?). It will be a real loss. At a guess that means that Liam Williams will be shuffled to the wing full time and Owen/Shingler will be the fullback, unless we sign someone of a decent quality.

With regards to Newton I can understand that, he is getting next to no game time for us, and when he does he is generally played out of position at fullback as opposed to his prefered position of fly half. I guess it is one of htose horrible things about having a good production line in one position, eventually you have to let people go.

If Knoyle is going to leave I can fully understand it, even though I will be gutted to see him leave. He has played very little for us these last few season, being either injured or away with team wales. Also if it means we can keep hold of Cawdor, Aled and Rhodri (who should all be cheaper that Tav) then it is in the best interest of the region.

think is fenby does leave it will be a priorty for us to sign a winger. also i believe that KP is out of contract this summer? we do have dale ford, aaron adam and kyle evans coming through on the wings. however do feel we need to strengthen there since losing morgan.

totally agree on tav - he doesn't want to jeopardise his place within the welsh squad. he currently knows he will be sharing the number 9 jersey if he stays at the scarlets. releasing his wages can help us recruit at 7 and 8.

So the Blues are (possibly) getting Knoyle - Should be a good foil for Williams, but I was expecting Davies

wales606 wrote:So the Blues are (possibly) getting Knoyle - Should be a good foil for Williams, but I was expecting Davies

Probably the better o the two for the Blues situation. Knoyle is the nearest to a Phillips style scrum half current based in Wales, so in theory the ability to mix and match for game play with Lloyd should give the Blues similar options to Wales. That said they will most likely lose both to team wales over the AIs and 6Ns.

wales606 wrote:So the Blues are (possibly) getting Knoyle - Should be a good foil for Williams, but I was expecting hoping for Davies

[strike]

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

wales606 wrote:So the Blues are (possibly) getting Knoyle - Should be a good foil for Williams, but I was expecting Davies

Probably the better o the two for the Blues situation. Knoyle is the nearest to a Phillips style scrum half current based in Wales, so in theory the ability to mix and match for game play with Lloyd should give the Blues similar options to Wales. That said they will most likely lose both to team wales over the AIs and 6Ns.

So Knoyle is the tough little structured, more physical 9 and Lloyd williams is the... uuuhhh mmmm aaaahhh... other one?!?!

Heard an interesting rumour today regarding a Dragons signing. Won't be announcing it, in case it's wrong, but I think it could be ok. It is a ten and he is NWQ.

Bluesman if your team is getting Knoyle then I have only one thing to say to you; Unlucky.

Rev, where is this rumoured fly-half from?

I can't keep it under wraps. I've heard Kris Burton is signing. Don't know how true it is as nobody is mentioning it.

Isn't he the one that just had a stinker against Wales and got dropped? Why would they consider him? Hopefully it's a joke.

He's the one who wears the crash helmet aye. He normally does well for Treviso against us. Like I say nobody is mentioning it anywhere.

Do you know if we're keeping Steffan Jones?

There was a rumour steffan was going to LW but that was before the whole 5 point reduction thing.