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

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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

I don't think Steff will leave, but I can't say for certain. I think now Robling is the one being frozen out he might want to leave, but have no idea.

Steff is coming to the end of his 2 year contract i believe. Probably agent seeing what's available to his client. Think for his own career he's best to stick it out with the dragons and learn his trade. Also he should embrace the challenge that another 10 coming into the region will bring.

Well Arlidge wasn't exactly better than Tovey when we had him. Didn't stop him getting picked though. Edwards has continued the baffling selections since. Robling is not a 10 IMO. More of a 12, better than Smith too. Wonder if Tuilagi could be shifted to 13.

Agree totally. I think now he is first choice (at the moment), it makes a huge difference.

I wouldn't mind seeing Robling at 12, but then I like how Jack Dixon is developing.

An inside Italian Rugby thing on twitter has mentioned the signing now. Might have a bit of substance then, as that's not where I got it from.

Seems a bit weird the italians getting into the Rabo and then starting to sign for welsh regions. That said Burton is more of a Parks type flyhalf, better at winning tight games, whereas Steff Jones is a flair flyhalf. Seeing as the Dragons didn't bring in a replacement for Tovey fingers crossed Burton is just to add depth and not to replace Jones.

True SS, but Jones seem to be instructed to play conservate now, and he can oblige seeing as he has a good boot. Don't really see the point in signing Burton.

Morgannwg wrote:True SS, but Jones seem to be instructed to play conservate now, and he can oblige seeing as he has a good boot. Don't really see the point in signing Burton.

Eh? If we're saying Roblin is a centre (prolly right there) then you reckon the Dragons can go the whole season with just one ten in the squad, and a flaky one at that? You're right, what could we possibly want with an experienced international fly half...

Good signing if its true. He's an international, plenty of experience and reliable. Steffan is the future and has all the attributes but we need more than him and Roblin. I'm not a fan of D. Evans at 10 he's far better at 15.

It's all pointless unless we sign a right head and two locks. We could sign the all blacks back line and we'd still struggle with no ball.

Burton???

Oh dear thats a mistake, he won't come cheap and will offer little without a very good set piece!!

Save the money Dragons and invest in a TH and lock!!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Burton???

"Broadsword calling Danny Boy".

Cardiff Dave wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Burton???

"Broadsword calling Danny Boy".

Youve lost me mate, I know who he is, just can't understand why Dragons would sign him, unless Steff is on way out like I keep hearing.

FFS. Again, one flaky ten in the whole squad for the season?

Board have already said we're looking for tight heads and locks but no one in their right mind can say we don't need another ten also.

Love the added 'Kris' I would never have known

Stone Motif wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:True SS, but Jones seem to be instructed to play conservate now, and he can oblige seeing as he has a good boot. Don't really see the point in signing Burton.

Eh? If we're saying Roblin is a centre (prolly right there) then you reckon the Dragons can go the whole season with just one ten in the squad, and a flaky one at that? You're right, what could we possibly want with an experienced international fly half...

Because Burton is rubbish. Would have rathered somebody experienced but more attack-minded. I preferred Jones to be first choice with Robling, Dan Evans and Ash Smith at a push covering fly-half. Neither of them would be kicking with Prydie in the team, apart from Jones because he has a good percentage rate.

I see the signing is confirmed now? Oh dear.

not sure it confirmed yet morgannwg....only thing i can find on it, is an article on inside rugby italy (excuse the google translate)

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insiderugby.it%2Fnode%2F3582

Not sure I have read this anywhere or maybe missed it but I have heard rumours Richie Rees coming to Dave.

Any truth in it anyone shed any light

Are you taking the p!ss bedford? He has signed for the Dragons. It was announced last week.

Morgannwg wrote:Are you taking the p!ss bedford? He has signed for the Dragons. It was announced last week.

Morg,

I must have been in a different time zone cos I missed all that and have even looked back through here to find something.

Twilight zone?

Looks like the Dragons are looking at both Italian international 10's:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/10287375.Dragons_look_to_Italy_in_search_for_a_seasoned_10/

ITALY’S Kris Burton is on Newport Gwent Dragons’ radar as they search for an experienced number 10.
The Rodney Parade region have made no secret of their desire to sign an experienced outside half and Treviso’s Burton is a possible target.
Reports in Italy have linked the Dragons with the Australia-born 32-year-old but the region has a few irons in the fire, including his international rival.
Zebre’s Luciano Orquera is another player that is on offer, although Burton appears to be the better fit in terms of what the Dragons require.
Argentina-born Orquera, capped 32 times, has started three of Italy’s Six Nations game but is more of a mercurial talent and is not as reliable from the kicking tee.
Burton, capped 21 times, got the nod for the clash with Wales in Rome and is considered a better game controller.
He put the boot into the Dragons last season when his haul of 18 points – comprising of a full house of a try, two conversions, two penalties and a smart drop goal – helped Treviso to a RaboDirect Pro12 victory at Rodney Parade.
Bringing in older head at 10 is a priority for the Dragons and negotiations with ex-England fly-half Andy Goode and former Wales star Nicky Robinson reached an advanced stage before they opted for Wasps and Bristol respectively.
Dragons director of rugby Robert Beale would not comment on individuals but stressed that the region is beavering away to secure a number of key signings – and that progress is being made.
“There will be no talk of individuals from us until that name is on the dotted line but I will say that over the last two weeks the recruitment situation has improved considerably,” he said.
“Players come on the market and it’s a case of doing due diligence on them and our coaches and analysts are doing a tremendous amount of work.
“An agent will only send you their client’s best bits so our analysts trawl Opta (a stats and performance data company) and look at hundreds of hours of footage, compiling it for our coaches.
“Then it’s a question of making offers and negotiating.
“A huge amount of effort is being put in and I am confident that it will pay off in the next couple of weeks.”
The Dragons have targeted a fly-half, tighthead and lock while last week they signed former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees from Edinburgh on a two-year deal.

Morgannwg wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:True SS, but Jones seem to be instructed to play conservate now, and he can oblige seeing as he has a good boot. Don't really see the point in signing Burton.

Eh? If we're saying Roblin is a centre (prolly right there) then you reckon the Dragons can go the whole season with just one ten in the squad, and a flaky one at that? You're right, what could we possibly want with an experienced international fly half...

Because Burton is rubbish. Would have rathered somebody experienced but more attack-minded. I preferred Jones to be first choice with Robling, Dan Evans and Ash Smith at a push covering fly-half. Neither of them would be kicking with Prydie in the team, apart from Jones because he has a good percentage rate.

I see the signing is confirmed now? Oh dear.

Burton is that rubbish he's been instrumental in defeating the Dragons on several occasions. He's a proven operator in the Rabid. To say we're better off with comedy fly half options like Evans (or Ashley ffwcin Smith!) Is absurd. Unless you hadn't noticed this season, we're not doing too well with a bunch of kids plus the odd reject shoe-horned into whatever position there's an injury crisis in on a given week...

I wouldn't mind us signing Burton, but I really hope we don't sign Orquera. Nothing against him personally, but there's no point bringing in a hit-and-miss outside half when we already have Steffan Jones (no offence to him either, I hope he stays and we can bring him on).

Dragons should be looking at a TH prop and a Lock instead and by that i don't mean a Ryan or a Nimmo.

We are, Vince. I was surprised when we signed Richie Rees because as good as he is, Jon Evans is coming along nicely and it leaves us with less money to spend on a tighthead and lock.

What is the situation with Ryan? Has be played this season? Was he on a two year contract?

I've never seen him play at Dave Parade.

thebluesmancometh wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Burton???

"Broadsword calling Danny Boy".

Youve lost me mate, I know who he is, just can't understand why Dragons would sign him, unless Steff is on way out like I keep hearing.

Richie/Burton at 9/10.

Where Dragons Dare!

Rees was a non sensical signing too, the Evans boys look very good if not inexperienced, I wouldve continued with them, saved my money and bought a TH or Lock instead.

Orquera??? Are the dragons just giving up these days?

thebluesmancometh wrote:Rees was a non sensical signing too, the Evans boys look very good if not inexperienced, I wouldve continued with them, saved my money and bought a TH or Lock instead.

Orquera??? Are the dragons just giving up these days?

Maybe the management have a clever plan up their collective sleeve. Who knows.
At least the Drags will now have experience and continuity at 9/10 all season long with this pair, but yeah, games are won up front as they say.

Wayne Evans struggles for fitness a fair bit to be fair. I agree with Stone that Burton has performed well for us and will be good at Rabo level. I don't think we can be too critical yet that we have no front five signings. We have to make sure we sign correctly there, having been burned before.

Someone with sense finally Rev.

If/when we anounce our front five signings then Burton and Rees will be very good additions to the squad.

We've stated we are after a TH and lock so time will tell of what quality they are. With a decent platform the backs will look a lot better next season. I really do hope we add some grunt upfront.

Stone Motif wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:True SS, but Jones seem to be instructed to play conservate now, and he can oblige seeing as he has a good boot. Don't really see the point in signing Burton.

Eh? If we're saying Roblin is a centre (prolly right there) then you reckon the Dragons can go the whole season with just one ten in the squad, and a flaky one at that? You're right, what could we possibly want with an experienced international fly half...

Because Burton is rubbish. Would have rathered somebody experienced but more attack-minded. I preferred Jones to be first choice with Robling, Dan Evans and Ash Smith at a push covering fly-half. Neither of them would be kicking with Prydie in the team, apart from Jones because he has a good percentage rate.

I see the signing is confirmed now? Oh dear.

Burton is that rubbish he's been instrumental in defeating the Dragons on several occasions. He's a proven operator in the Rabid. To say we're better off with comedy fly half options like Evans (or Ashley ffwcin Smith!) Is absurd. Unless you hadn't noticed this season, we're not doing too well with a bunch of kids plus the odd reject shoe-horned into whatever position there's an injury crisis in on a given week...

Yes he has been rubbish in this years 6 Nations. Dismantling the Dragons? Not difficult at all these days to be fair. I don't think we'll be doing much better with Burton next year either. Our backs won't see any ball.

Orquera seems like the better option, actually a good player. He wouldn't need to kick either with Prydie starting.

Morgannwg wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:True SS, but Jones seem to be instructed to play conservate now, and he can oblige seeing as he has a good boot. Don't really see the point in signing Burton.

Eh? If we're saying Roblin is a centre (prolly right there) then you reckon the Dragons can go the whole season with just one ten in the squad, and a flaky one at that? You're right, what could we possibly want with an experienced international fly half...

Because Burton is rubbish. Would have rathered somebody experienced but more attack-minded. I preferred Jones to be first choice with Robling, Dan Evans and Ash Smith at a push covering fly-half. Neither of them would be kicking with Prydie in the team, apart from Jones because he has a good percentage rate.

I see the signing is confirmed now? Oh dear.

Burton is that rubbish he's been instrumental in defeating the Dragons on several occasions. He's a proven operator in the Rabid. To say we're better off with comedy fly half options like Evans (or Ashley ffwcin Smith!) Is absurd. Unless you hadn't noticed this season, we're not doing too well with a bunch of kids plus the odd reject shoe-horned into whatever position there's an injury crisis in on a given week...

Yes he has been rubbish in this years 6 Nations. Dismantling the Dragons? Not difficult at all these days to be fair. I don't think we'll be doing much better with Burton next year either. Our backs won't see any ball.

I'm hardly just talking about this season as already indicated. Honestly cards on table, and I am not arguing he's not the greatest international ten in the universe, do you honestly think we'd be better off with Evans or Ash at ten when Stef gets injured/hits a brown patch or Burton?

Andy Fenby is confirmed to London Irish. Gutted to lose him, he is such an exciting player, and has scored some really exciting tries.

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/5639.php

although a positive from the press release is:

"We are looking at investing in and strengthening our back three positions for next season with some fresh additions and regretfully with Morgan's Stoddart's retirement from the game as well, we will now have the opportunity to add new energy and momentum to this area of our squad."

can't see us bringing in a big name....possibly one or world artists clients in with the same profile as snyman, earls etc...

will miss "crazy legs" and wish him all the best with his new club.

I have heard talk of Shane Monahan from Glouster, but that could just be a case of people hiping the Nigel Davies link with Glaws will work both ways.

To be fair I fully understand Fenby going, he is a quality player, although he is starting to have to look towards a post rugby future, and I guess a big pay day in the Jeff (well i assume more than here) and then also being in reading will most likely be more benificial to his accountancy future than being down here. Although maybe being one of the few people able to count past 24 (counting with toes and fingers) in Llanelli, he could have done well as an accountant here.

monahan was part of the same u20 irish team with cian healy, keith earls etc that won the u20 grand slam. seems a big lad that can score tries - who knows he's out of contract this summer. maybe nigel has informed gyppo about his availability.

I doubt Glaws will want to lose Monrahan, he's looked good for them and with JSD not getting any younger, Sharples in and out of the England team with May he should get game time. Of course he may think a season in the Rabo and HC might be the best advert for his skills with the view of heading back to Ireland (it's no secret Leinster have been looking at exiled wingers in the last two seasons).

I would rather not sign someone who would just want to use us as a shop window or stepping stone

Not many players show true loyalty these days Spidey. Even at the big clubs. Everyone is looking to trade up to enhance their career as most only get 10 years playing top flight rugby.

I guess thats true, but a signing like Lamont for exaample, who was just passing through, but has some real experience to pass on would be far more valuable to us as we have a fair few youngsters coming through.

Supposedly Delve is heading to PYS, but at the same time Keiran Murphy is heading over the bridge to the Jeff, according to the rugby paper. Seems like we're building a first xv at the cost of depth.

I'm hardly just talking about this season as already indicated. Honestly cards on table, and I am not arguing he's not the greatest international ten in the universe, do you honestly think we'd be better off with Evans or Ash at ten when Stef gets injured/hits a brown patch or Burton?

I don't we'd be better off or worse off with or without Burton, so I don't see the point of the signing. He can't kick at goal and is only suited to a negative style of rugby, the negative style we're trying to play but can't because we don't have the forwards. The other rumoured Italian is a much better attacking fly-half and could help get the backline moving provided we get the forwards.

on scarletfever there seems to be a few rumours doing the rounds. apparently we are chasing gareth devle from the rebels. also the rumour that scott williams is going to the blues keeps coming up - no smoke without fire! the other departure thats being mentioned is kieron murphy moving to london welsh.

does look like easterby is not happy with the balance of the squad and wants to put his stamp on it.

Morgannwg wrote:

I'm hardly just talking about this season as already indicated. Honestly cards on table, and I am not arguing he's not the greatest international ten in the universe, do you honestly think we'd be better off with Evans or Ash at ten when Stef gets injured/hits a brown patch or Burton?

I don't we'd be better off or worse off with or without Burton, so I don't see the point of the signing. He can't kick at goal and is only suited to a negative style of rugby, the negative style we're trying to play but can't because we don't have the forwards. The other rumoured Italian is a much better attacking fly-half and could help get the backline moving provided we get the forwards.

Ah right, so one ten would add nothing to the squad because we don't have the forwards, but the other would if we bought some forwards. Seems to me like either could be good signings if we, um, bought some forwards like?

Yeah like innit. Just rather a more attack-minded fly-half.