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

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/5735.php

Looks like exciting RFC winger Kyle Evans has signed a 3 year development contract. Also former Osprey Richard Kelly has signed for a further 2 years.

Players leaving are Dale Ford (wing, 14 appearances); Dan Newton (fly-half, 54 appearances), Tavis Knoyle (scrum-half, 66 appearances); Rhys Jones (fly-half Wales 7's contracted player, 4 appearances), Richie Pugh (back-row Wales 7's contracted player, 49 appearances); Sione Timani (second row, 42 appearances), Peter Edwards (prop, 40 appearances) and Craig Hawkins (hooker, 16 appearances).

Looks like exciting RFC winger Kyle Evans has signed a 3 year development contract. Also former Osprey Richard Kelly has signed for a further 2 years.

Players leaving are Dale Ford (wing, 14 appearances); Dan Newton (fly-half, 54 appearances), Tavis Knoyle (scrum-half, 66 appearances); Rhys Jones (fly-half Wales 7's contracted player, 4 appearances), Richie Pugh (back-row Wales 7's contracted player, 49 appearances); Sione Timani (second row, 42 appearances), Peter Edwards (prop, 40 appearances) and Craig Hawkins (hooker, 16 appearances).

Absolute great news, glad that they have got rid of the players that we didn't need. Sad about timani but we never used him as much as we should have, also does this mean johnny edwards is staying cause that is also good news.

Obviously it's probably no secret that Danny Lydiate is off to Racing, but there was a nagging doubt in my mind that he would be off to the Blues or somewhere. In the Munster programme, he basically mentioned about being a bit far from the farm, so hopefully that'll mean he is off to France.

He'll be back soon I reckon rev, although not to the Dragons. From all of the interviews with him he seems like a very young 25 year old. Seems a bit of a home kinda person, and has already said on a number of occasions how he doesn't want to be too far away. I get the feeling that he may become homesick (although a total guess obviously)!

He'll come back home to the Scarlets in a year IMO.

Yeah, I think he will do that. I wouldn't mind that so much then. He did say he'll always be a Dragon at heart though, so I guess it's up to the board to make him a good offer and for the team to show some ambition from next season on and be a bit more competitive in the Heineken Cup race.

Agree can't see Dan wanting to be too far from his farm on his return from france. Gloucester is less than an hour away from his farm? reckon dragons, blues or gloucester would be his likely destination. only link i can see to the scarlets is his gf is from pontyberem and they were rumoured to be buying a house there. personally i'd like to see him return to the dragons, got a feeling toby will still be there on his return.

Glad to see we have brought out a definitive exiting list, it will make it easier for us to shift season tickets as people will have an idea as to what our team should look like next season.

There are a few names on the list I will be sad to see leave, but we can not afford to keep hold of just because their local, and likable, lads. I did notice that Lee Bach was not on the list so hopefully he will be around if needed next season.

think there will be another announcement cause we still don't know what's happening to the likes of turnbull,murphy, edwards,reynolds, williams, galley, price etc....

williams might stick around with our shortage of wingers. however i was sure him and jon edwards were being released.

also with us releasing peter edwards do we need another TH? Samson could be called up to the Welsh Squad. Then that would only leave you with Manu and Adriaanse.

It's rumoured that Leicester Tigers are chasing Welsh 7's & Scarlets Craig Price. He's out of contract this summer so there could be something in this rumour.

think there will be another announcement cause we still don't know what's happening to the likes of turnbull,murphy, edwards,reynolds, williams, galley, price etc....

williams might stick around with our shortage of wingers. however i was sure him and jon edwards were being released.

also with us releasing peter edwards do we need another TH? Samson could be called up to the Welsh Squad. Then that would only leave you with Manu and Adriaanse.

Turnball and Murphy should be released I think. Galley is a young lock and I we can not last with only 4 locks in the team so we need him or see how carwyn gets on.
We are ok for tightheads samson is still very young an has a list of people in front of him at the moment - Adam, Craig Mitchel, Aaron Jarvis, Scott andrews so it's unlikely he will be called up. But if he does he will either be released, if not we still have 2 to cover and if worse comes to worse and we have no choice rhodri jones will have to go to tight.
Lee williams needs to stay as we can't loose anymore wings. I really like edwards and he is a good back up player for when barclay is away. Reynods is needed for when scott and john are away with wales as well.

Reading the press release when Warren and Maule announced they were staying Easters said something about us having an exciting core to the squad with the likes of Priestland, Foxy, Scott, Turnbull, Ken and Gog. So i assume that means Josh is staying.

Might some players days be numbered with Barclay coming in and Dan Thomas on the rise?

There is now a really good core and some strength in depth at the Scarlets, and that's taken years to build. You need only look at the clubs and schools within the region to see it has a good structure in place. There will be no excuses for another terrible showing in Europe next season.

Any info on Craig Price for a Tigers fan? I only know he's a flanker that can play sevens. Is he an openside, is he any good and at 23 how much first team rugby experience has he got?

Any info on Craig Price for a Tigers fan? I only know he's a flanker that can play sevens. Is he an openside, is he any good and at 23 how much first team rugby experience has he got?

he has done a lot with the Wales 7's so he is very athletic flanker, like corft (not as good though). very quick of the line when defending but that is both good and bad with him because hen he reads a tackle he does it well but sometimes he can be too quick and leave a gap.
A descent player don't want him to go but with the back row stars already at leiscter he won't bring much to you.

mikey_philVIII wrote:Might some players days be numbered with Barclay coming in and Dan Thomas on the rise?

There is now a really good core and some strength in depth at the Scarlets, and that's taken years to build. You need only look at the clubs and schools within the region to see it has a good structure in place. There will be no excuses for another terrible showing in Europe next season.

Don't read to much into this years Heineken cup for the Scarlets. They where in with the finalists from both competitions (probable winners) and where forced to play Exeter at home with no preperation time due to the extra international for Wales just 1 week before, leaving the team without many of the star players.
I expect to see a far stronger Scarlets side next seasonin all competitions.

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Michael Patterson is leaving for Sale Sharks.

Gutted

Are Wales having a 4th international next year?

Kingshu wrote:Are Wales having a 4th international next year?

Only 3 confirmed. Not sure if they are having another one. It's one of the things that the new board are supposed to be debating. I personally think we should just have the 3 or alternatively make the one that is outside the window an A international and charge cheap prices. Good to cap and tie in more players and give the younger players a different level to play at. Same thing should be for the international the WRU seem to want to play at the end of the season as well.

doctornickolas wrote:Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Michael Patterson is leaving for Sale Sharks.

So much for him getting WQ then.

Yeah it should just be 3 per autumn from now on. I wouldn't mind seeing a fourth, but in the month of June. I've had great days out watching Wales play SA and the baa baa's in that month.

LordDowlais wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Michael Patterson is leaving for Sale Sharks.

So much for him getting WQ then.

He has been here long enough, so could tour in the summer and then leave. I guess it depends on where his house is. After all didn't Duncan Bell commute from Newport (I think) to Bath so he could become WQ only to find out a bench spot for the saxons had stopped it from happening.

2ndtimeround wrote:

mikey_philVIII wrote:Might some players days be numbered with Barclay coming in and Dan Thomas on the rise?

There is now a really good core and some strength in depth at the Scarlets, and that's taken years to build. You need only look at the clubs and schools within the region to see it has a good structure in place. There will be no excuses for another terrible showing in Europe next season.

Don't read to much into this years Heineken cup for the Scarlets. They where in with the finalists from both competitions (probable winners) and where forced to play Exeter at home with no preperation time due to the extra international for Wales just 1 week before, leaving the team without many of the star players.
I expect to see a far stronger Scarlets side next seasonin all competitions.

Also Exeter away were were force to play with only Aled Thomas as a fly half, due to Rhys getting crocked the game before.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Michael Patterson is leaving for Sale Sharks.

So much for him getting WQ then.

He has been here long enough, so could tour in the summer and then leave. I guess it depends on where his house is. After all didn't Duncan Bell commute from Newport (I think) to Bath so he could become WQ only to find out a bench spot for the saxons had stopped it from happening.

He has said his grandparents were English so he is EQ

wales606 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Michael Patterson is leaving for Sale Sharks.

So much for him getting WQ then.

He has been here long enough, so could tour in the summer and then leave. I guess it depends on where his house is. After all didn't Duncan Bell commute from Newport (I think) to Bath so he could become WQ only to find out a bench spot for the saxons had stopped it from happening.

He has said his grandparents were English so he is EQ

He can see he has no chance of playing for Wales with the players currently available, even JT is in front of him. I hope a Welsh player replaces him at the Blues.

Alun, blues lack a Patterson type player. They have Hamilton and Jenkins coming through but they're different players. Blues in a no.7/fetcher factory shock...

Any big units coming through? What happened to Cory hill? He looked like a big, tough 2nd row.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Any info on Craig Price for a Tigers fan? I only know he's a flanker that can play sevens. Is he an openside, is he any good and at 23 how much first team rugby experience has he got?

Sam Craig's a modern athletic pacey player, that covers the whole backrow. Has improved his ball carrying and work rate this season. Played really well for us during the xmas period, then went off to the 7's. Scarlet supporters would be sad to see him leave, as he's developing nicely.

Gutted for the Blues to lose Paterson, hopefully he'll still tour with wales this summer as i rate him. hope PT gets his cheque book out this summer and signs some real quality.

Elsewhere it's good to see Tandy signing a new contract with Ospreys, think he's done a good job over the Loughor Bridge.

Scarlets fan forum gone into over drive this weeken with rumours of regan king returning as skills/backs coach and alwayn hollenbach joining from the lions.

First I have heard of Reggie coming back. I would love to see that, and with Easters being coach, the racehorse and all I guess it could happen.

Despite my views on NWQ players my view on Coaches from the SH are that we need them big time.

I dont know how much coaching experience King has but he is a class player

Allty he has about as much experience as Mark Jones, Simon Easterby or Steve Tandy had a few years ago

Tondi Chavanga leaving the Dragons as predicted.

Thanks Stone - just noticed it:

'Lydiate will play his final match for the Dragons against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday before leaving for Racing Metro next season.

It will also be the final game for South African wing Tonderai Chavhanga before he returns home.

Dragons squad: T Prydie, D Evans, H Amos, R Wardle, T Chavhanga, J Dixon, P Leach, L Robling, S Jones, W Evans, J Evans, A Coundley, O Evans, H Gustafson, S Parry, N Buck, T Ryan, R Sidoli, A Coombs (capt), A Jones, D Lydiate, N Cudd, T Faletau, I Jones, J Groves.'

It's a shame that Tondi was so injury prone - and that we didn't make best use of him when he was fit. Hope he manages a final try (or two) on Friday.

I want the Scarlets to keep Craig Price as an eight. I think there's plenty of competition in that position - Rob McCusker, Stuart Leach, Ed Price, Luke Joseph, and more, however especially because Keiran Murphy is being released I want the Scarlets to keep Craig Price.

Also, wingers Aaron Warren and Chris Knight are due for international action*, I think this is good news for the Scarlets, especially because North and Fenby are leaving.

*http://www.llandoveryrfc.co.uk/News/Article/24856

I had great expectations for Chavanga. And while he had a few flashes of brilliance, he was never put into any space to exhibit his great finishing skills. Not really suited to the Dragons game plan I 'spose. Shame to see him go but not someone we've had much value for money from.

Chavhanga enjoyed his trip to Murrayfield last season, so it may be a good place to sign off. All the best Tondi. A nice guy, who we horribly under utilised.

Internet rumour that's doing the rounds on Scrum V forum & Scarlet Fever is that the Scarlets are chasing Agen's massive Togan 8 Opeti Fona. Know very little about this player but here what Wikipedia says about the player:

Opeti Fonua (born 26 May 1986) is a Tongan rugby union player who plays as a #8 for French club SU Agen. Fonua is known for his immense size and strength (Fonua stands a shade under 6 feet 6 inches, or 197 cm, and weights in at 150 kg, well over 300 lb) but also for his speed and agility, surprising attributes given his huge physical size. Big tackles and strong carries, replete with hand-offs to opponents, are his trademarks. He is also known for bouncing off and running over opponents, often leaving them on the ground on their backsides as he continues galloping forward after smashing into them

Another blydi foreigner!

pioden gorllewin wrote:Internet rumour that's doing the rounds on Scrum V forum & Scarlet Fever is that the Scarlets are chasing Agen's massive Togan 8 Opeti Fona. Know very little about this player but here what Wikipedia says about the player:

Opeti Fonua (born 26 May 1986) is a Tongan rugby union player who plays as a #8 for French club SU Agen. Fonua is known for his immense size and strength (Fonua stands a shade under 6 feet 6 inches, or 197 cm, and weights in at 150 kg, well over 300 lb) but also for his speed and agility, surprising attributes given his huge physical size. Big tackles and strong carries, replete with hand-offs to opponents, are his trademarks. He is also known for bouncing off and running over opponents, often leaving them on the ground on their backsides as he continues galloping forward after smashing into them

We'll have him. Wonder if Jamie Robinson had a word?

I assume that he has been capped?Apologies,my knowledge of Tongan players is a bit patchy!

Never heard of him, but I guess that means Delve is not coming.

If the welsh regions keep signing players from Tonga & other rugby nations other than Wales, do we have a right to complain when English/French teams sign wq players like North, Roberts & Lydiate from the regions? If we plunder other rugby nations, should we be complaining if other rugby nations plunder us? I believe the less we plunder other nations, the less other nations will plunder us and the more likely we will be to keep the likes of North, Roberts & Lydiate at our regions. I believe it's time to try and bring wq players from overseas home to strengthen our regions, why can't the Scarlets sign Gareth Delve? Is it because they've spent a lot of money on Barclay from Scotland which weakens the Scottish teams to our benefit and further encourages the exodus of wq players from the regions/blocks wq overseas from coming back to the regions?

granted only seen highlights on youtube but there is something of ulster's nick williams in this player. if our conditioning coach brad Harrington can work his magic on him as he did with ben morgan (and sione timani to a certain extent) then I think it would be a great signing. can't think of many welsh 6 feet 6 inches and 21 stone welsh number 8's....so he has the minerals to be a good signing.

Think we've tried to sign delve, and it looks like it's not happening now. who know's? he would have been a better mentor for sion Bennett I believe.

My only concern is if we use our last NWQ place on an 8. That means Gyppo has to work is magic and find 2 WQ experienced wingers.

Taffineastbourne wrote:I assume that he has been capped?Apologies,my knowledge of Tongan players is a bit patchy!

yeap according to wiki

pioden gorllewin wrote:My only concern is if we use our last NWQ place on an 8. That means Gyppo has to work is magic and find 2 WQ experienced wingers.

Can we pinch the sooon to be welsh international winger that has yet to feature for the Ospreys

international197 wrote:I believe the less we plunder other nations, the less other nations will plunder us and the more likely we will be to keep the likes of North, Roberts & Lydiate at our regions. I believe it's time to try and bring wq players from overseas home to strengthen our regions, why can't the Scarlets sign Gareth Delve?

To be honest I am not too sure signing a 26 year old Tongan that has been in france since he was 20 is really poaching from Tonga, as such. As for Delve I believe we tried, as Pioden said, but maybe we are not as attractive an option as other deals on the table for him.

To be honest I am not too sure signing a 26 year old Tongan that has been in france since he was 20 is really poaching from Tonga, as such.

I believe what happened 6 years ago is between France and Tonga, I think it has nothing to do with Wales. If the Scarlets approach Opeti Fonua, I believe it would then be between Wales and Tonga, I feel it would be none of France's business. Wales are playing Tonga in the autumn* and, I believe having a Tongan number eight at a region could shoot Welsh rugby in the foot again, like the Ospreys signing Kahn Fotuali'i* and Samoa's victory over us in November 2012*, a game in which Fotuali'i started and Rhys Webb did not feature in, I believe he didn't have enough game time with the Ospreys to play for Wales; Fotuali'i was keeping him out of his starting berth. Likewise, I believe Opeti Fonua may keep Rob McCusker/Craig Price from their starting berths, players I believe Wales may need for a battle against, possibly, Opeti Fonua and his nation, Tonga, on the 22nd of November 2013. I think Rob McCusker/Craig Price would be in a better position to represent Wales if they're starting regularly for the Scarlets and I believe Opeti Fonua would be in a better position to face Wales if he's starting regularly for the Scarlets. The former, I believe, is progressive for Welsh rugby, the latter, I believe, is destructive for Welsh rugby.

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22170464
*http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ospreys/9435746.stm
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20346746

If this is true that opeti is signing for us then trust me Scarlets fans we should be very very happy.
Have seen him once or twice before and has stood out also just watch him on youtube and you will understand what I mean. He is a lot like henry tuilagi and nick Williams with his style of play. A very big man and is what our pack needs = some go forward.
I will be very happy if he does sign for us and I know it will rule out delve but lets be realistic. We wouldn't have been able to sign delve and Barclay. There is too much competition between the English and french clubs
But opeti will do. Trust me
But what about wingers, I can't see many good wlesh qualified wings out of wales. Who will we sign who is welsh qualified. I dont' have a clue

apparently gyppo has his eye on a winger from the north east who is WQ, and suppose to be the next george north. how true that is i don't know, but the guy seems to spot the odd gem in the lower leagues.

international197 wrote:

To be honest I am not too sure signing a 26 year old Tongan that has been in france since he was 20 is really poaching from Tonga, as such.

I believe what happened 6 years ago is between France and Tonga, I think it has nothing to do with Wales. If the Scarlets approach Opeti Fonua, I believe it would then be between Wales and Tonga, I feel it would be none of France's business. Wales are playing Tonga in the autumn* and, I believe having a Tongan number eight at a region could shoot Welsh rugby in the foot again, like the Ospreys signing Kahn Fotuali'i* and Samoa's victory over us in November 2012*, a game in which Fotuali'i started and Rhys Webb did not feature in, I believe he didn't have enough game time with the Ospreys to play for Wales; Fotuali'i was keeping him out of his starting berth. Likewise, I believe Opeti Fonua may keep Rob McCusker/Craig Price from their starting berths, players I believe Wales may need for a battle against, possibly, Opeti Fonua and his nation, Tonga, on the 22nd of November 2013. I think Rob McCusker/Craig Price would be in a better position to represent Wales if they're starting regularly for the Scarlets and I believe Opeti Fonua would be in a better position to face Wales if he's starting regularly for the Scarlets. The former, I believe, is progressive for Welsh rugby, the latter, I believe, is destructive for Welsh rugby.

Us Welsh are good at that. The envy of the world some would say.
Any news on WRU/RRW/PRGB/WTF?

Jhamer25 wrote:If this is true that opeti is signing for us then trust me Scarlets fans we should be very very happy.

From the youtube clips, he looks distinctly Rush like going into contact. He'd be more than welcome at Cardiff.