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

pioden gorllewin wrote: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.

Whats the deal with Dion Jones, he seemed pretty decent for the u20s.

Also after Georges last two games I think the Saints will be begging us to take him back, he has been woeful, seems to be a bit of a Priestland during the AIs going on there. Imo North needs a good rest, and time to properly recover from the physical knocks and any head issues he has.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote: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.

Whats the deal with Dion Jones, he seemed pretty decent for the u20s.

Also after Georges last two games I think the Saints will be begging us to take him back, he has been woeful, seems to be a bit of a Priestland during the AIs going on there. Imo North needs a good rest, and time to properly recover from the physical knocks and any head issues he has.

think dion along with the likes of sion bennett, steffan hughes, the jones bros, gareth thomas, ball possibly? etc will be offered development contracts. hopefully the likes of steff will be put on 5yr contract like samson lee.

in my opinion north has never been able to tackle, he does that "grab a shirt" thing that doesn't actually does anything. never seen him do a conventional wrap arms around the player/ put shoulder in tackle. also he's he doesn't have a natural rugby brain, so at 21 yrs old he's learning his trade. he's basically a freak of nature physically, that know where the try line is, but far off the finished article.

The rugby paper over the weekend has linked Brett Deacon to the Scarlets. Surprised someone who is predominately a 6 and NWQ is linked to us. Unless we see him as an 8? Surely there must be better option out there. Would be worse in my eyes if Craig Price goes in the opposite direction and joins the Tigers.

I might be totally wrong but it seems reading into Robin Davey tweet the WRU have not sanctioned the Dragons to recruit the NWQ centre. Won't help the already relationship between the regions and WRU. Here's the tweet:

"Encouraging for Dragons new back row Talei had a great game last night, Burton too. If only they hadn't been refused from above for a centre"

Brett Deacon is equally competent at 6 and 8, in an emergency can cover lock. Has captained Tigers in the LV and the A league, abrasive and A real work horse. Tigers want to keep him but with Wells coming through (basically a younger more mobile version who is an England under 20) I think the length of contract is an issue.

Not really keen on deacon, there must be better on the market i'm sure. Would much rather keep craig price to stay and allow a NWQ back player to come in.
We need to keep working on delve in an ideal world but I doubt that will happen. Or Opeti Fonua if delve doesn't work. Brett is long down the line of list for number 8 at leicster. We could do better i'm sure.
Hope leicster keep him

pioden gorllewin wrote:The rugby paper over the weekend has linked Brett Deacon to the Scarlets. Surprised someone who is predominately a 6 and NWQ is linked to us. Unless we see him as an 8? Surely there must be better option out there. Would be worse in my eyes if Craig Price goes in the opposite direction and joins the Tigers.

I might be totally wrong but it seems reading into Robin Davey tweet the WRU have not sanctioned the Dragons to recruit the NWQ centre. Won't help the already relationship between the regions and WRU. Here's the tweet:

"Encouraging for Dragons new back row Talei had a great game last night, Burton too. If only they hadn't been refused from above for a centre"

Hopefully we'll renew Andy T's contract now just to put two fingers up to Princess Rog and his bum chums

It wasn't the WRU that would not authorize it,try closer to home - I guess that Andy T & Lewis Robling have been repreived?

dragon999 wrote:It wasn't the WRU that would not authorize it,try closer to home - I guess that Andy T & Lewis Robling have been repreived?

So this about the SH centre was all basiclly Davey bullshine then

No - A centre was going to be signed but the RP powers that be pulled the plug on it - i can only assume that Ross Wardle will now be used as a centre & i guess Andy T may be resigned - I believe that on this occasion Daveys info was correct

i know the dragons did start the ball rolling with a South African utility back, from the same agents they signed Muller from. However they backed out of that deal - next thing I heard they were looking in NZ.

two rumours I heard over the weekend were that there is a possibility that Regan King will return to Parc Y Scarlets in a coaching capacity.

2nd rumour is that Opeti Fona has been over to see Parc Y scarlets facilities roughly two weeks ago. We've offered him terms and he's gone away to think about it. Unfortunately for us the likes of Bayonne are also chasing his signature. Here's a recent clip of him smashing Jonny Wilkison:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMf9tDdMLMY&sns=em

Pioden - very good news if that's true. I wouldn't move from Agen to Bayonne if I was him (a sideways move, surely) - he's still a young player so I would image a Rabo team would be quite an attractive option.

George would be pretty excited if we can pull off this signing. Think money might talk on this one, so I'm not overly confident. My one concern is that he rarely lasts a game. But then that's not surprising considering he's nearly 23stone! Think our conditioning team will have their work cut out for them this summer if he does sign.

Even if he slims down to 20 stone...
If you look up the word "unit" in the dictionary, there's a picture of him re-arranging Wilko's face.

Just had a quick look on Agen forum, some are saying he doesn't play enough games because of fitness problem and that he is past his best now, he was at his best 2 or 3 seasons ago.

He is under contract at Agen untill 2014 but can leave if they get relegated.

Clubs interested are Pau (pro d2), Bayonne and Perpignan (but not sure about them), so nothing really exciting.

If Timani has said good thing about the Scarlets and terms are reasonable, i see no reason why he wouldn't sign.

Not sure about Regan King as a coach, his skill as a player was that no one had a clue what he was going to do! He also seemed to have a knack at knowing where his support was.

Anyone who watched the Scarlets abject performance against Treviso knows that they need a backs coach. They won plenty of ball in the first half, but they seemed intent on slowing the game down, which allowed Treviso to get their defence organised.

Certainly the Scarlets side that King played in had very different approach, I suspect that it was Steve Jones, not Regan who was pulling the strings.

VinceWLB wrote:Just had a quick look on Agen forum, some are saying he doesn't play enough games because of fitness problem and that he is past his best now, he was at his best 2 or 3 seasons ago.

He is under contract at Agen untill 2014 but can leave if they get relegated.

Clubs interested are Pau (pro d2), Bayonne and Perpignan (but not sure about them), so nothing really exciting.

If Timani has said good thing about the Scarlets and terms are reasonable, i see no reason why he wouldn't sign.

That has worked in our favour with Islanders before. I believe when Jonny Fa'amatuinu signed for us (on loan from Bath) he said that talking to the likes of Sal Finau helped him make up his mind. I kind of hope we do sign him, not just because he looks like the sort of lump at 8 we could do with, but also if he doesn't sign we may see the first season of professional rugby where the Scarlets have not had an Islander in their squad.

As for Reg, I would be over the moon if he was to come, although would that mean that we would be losing a coach somewhere, or just creating another role? Either way it will most likely lead to cries of 'Jobs for the boys' or 'Foriegners coming over and taking jobs off talented young Welsh coaches'.

at 26 years old I reckon there is a few years left in fona, maybe he just got a bit stale in agen. hopefully the likes of timani and silo martens will put a good word in for us. like monty did when asked by Barclay about the scarlets.

Good news for the Dragons Kris Burton has announced his retirement from international rugby to concentrate on club rugby. Also means he won't miss chunks of the season on international duty.

He had a good game on Friday - although he needs to work on his drop goals...

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/5760.php

The clearout at Parc Y Scarlets continue with the news that Keiron Murphy and Jon Edwards have not had their contracts renewed. It is rumoured Jon Edwards will be moving to play for Cardiff RFC next year while Aberdeen born Murphy is being chased by Edinburgh.

Seeing as Murphy is going I will be even more gutted if we sign an over the hill player like Deacon.

Gutted that Jedward is going, he is a real grafter, and from the sounds of it a real character to have in the squad. I remember a few years ago, there was a thing on the web (might have been the official scarlets site) Deacon Manu's diary, and Jedward was portried as a bit of a prankster, washing out the water bottles in training with sour milk, changing the language on people phones to Arabic etc. I appreciate that may not justify keeping him on board, but you need some players in the squad like that to help keep moral high, and make it a happier environment to work in.

What is Murphy like?

George Carlin wrote:What is Murphy like?

athletic, dynamic 8 who uses his footwork to get himself over the gainline. not the biggest of 8's but he is putting on some bulk, relatively new to the pro game- he will only get better with time. also been playing a bit at 7 for llandovery and picking up MOTM awards.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seeing as Murphy is going I will be even more gutted if we sign an over the hill player like Deacon.

Gutted that Jedward is going, he is a real grafter, and from the sounds of it a real character to have in the squad. I remember a few years ago, there was a thing on the web (might have been the official scarlets site) Deacon Manu's diary, and Jedward was portried as a bit of a prankster, washing out the water bottles in training with sour milk, changing the language on people phones to Arabic etc. I appreciate that may not justify keeping him on board, but you need some players in the squad like that to help keep moral high, and make it a happier environment to work in.

speaking to Jon 2-3 weeks ago where he said he was looking for a new club, shame he's been a great servant for us.

I think Opeti Fonua would be an amazing signing for the Scarlets if he decided to go out West. If they can do half the job get him fit that they did with Ben Morgan it could be a very good move for him.

pioden gorllewin wrote:Good news for the Dragons Kris Burton has announced his retirement from international rugby to concentrate on club rugby. Also means he won't miss chunks of the season on international duty.

I think this is good news for the Welsh national team in the short term. I feel having an ex-Italian fly half at the Dragons, as opposed to an Italian fly-half, will not backfire on Wales when they play Italy at the Millennium Stadium on the 1st of February 2014*. However, I suspect Burton's international retirement will mean less regional and international gametime for Welsh qualified outside halves at the Dragons like Steffan Jones, Lewis Robling and Dan Evans, which I believe is not good for the Dragons or for Wales in the long term. I think it's a catch 22 for Welsh rugby. I think all this could have been averted, and the best thing for Welsh rugby would have been, if the Dragons hadn't signed a NWQ outside half in the first place*.

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22169516
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22081633

So Burton has quit international rugby to focus all his efforts on...

Keeping Steff Jones out of the team,

Kicking away posession and being hidden in defence,

Hitting the odd shot at goal when Prydies not around,

And taking wages that couldve been spent on the tight 5.

YAY congrats Dragons!

Strange decision to release Murphy, who has played well when given the chance and, I believe, is the only specialist 8 in the squad.

Next season; Barkley & Thomas to play 7, Turnbull & Shingler at 6 and Macusker out of position at 8!

Unfortunately for us the likes of Bayonne are also chasing his signature. Here's a recent clip of him smashing Jonny Wilkison:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMf9tDdMLMY&sns=em

OMG what was that, looked like a train hitting a bird. I could watch that all day
I'm gutted about john Edwards really, I thought he was a descent 7 and would have been a good back up for barlcay while Thomas still devlopes. Real shame. And I saw it that either Craig Price or Murphy had to leave, but not both. I hope craig stays know. I never really thought much of murphy anyway, I belive in a big lump of a number 8 who is skilful and can take the ball up. So Opeti for Kieron would be a hell of a replacement in my eyes.

Campbell johnstone and stowers are leaving the ospreys next season for new teams.
Not much of a surprise and neither will really be a loss for the ospreys as they both have so much strength in depth at tighthead and 8.
Fair does to Johnstone mind, I though he really stepped up when they needed him in the Heineken. But is seems he is going to a Russian side, I would think the one they signed Dimitri arhip from.
I think stowers was a really good player and I would love him as a back up at the scarlets but he is going to new Zealand in the ITM Cup for Tasman. Quite surprised as I thought a Aviva team or one of the lower top14 teams would have wanted stowers.

Source = http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/internationals-bound-Ospreys-exit-door/story-18914234-detail/story.html#axzz2Sdcl6Fc9

Jhamer25 wrote:Campbell johnstone and stowers are leaving the ospreys next season for new teams.
Not much of a surprise and neither will really be a loss for the ospreys as they both have so much strength in depth at tighthead and 8.
Fair does to Johnstone mind, I though he really stepped up when they needed him in the Heineken. But is seems he is going to a Russian side, I would think the one they signed Dimitri arhip from.
I think stowers was a really good player and I would love him as a back up at the scarlets but he is going to new Zealand in the ITM Cup for Tasman. Quite surprised as I thought a Aviva team or one of the lower top14 teams would have wanted stowers.

Source = http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/internationals-bound-Ospreys-exit-door/story-18914234-detail/story.html#axzz2Sdcl6Fc9

Are the Ospreys going to keep Arhip? I've been quite impressed with him the couple of times I've seen him.

After Stowers attempt at beheading Fenby and nothing being done about it, I would be disguisted if he came to us.

the western fail are now running the fonua story. however think they've just picked it up on twitter, when some scarlet fans told their their journo's who the tongan was....it's such a poor newspaper it's unreal!!! anyways here's the story:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/scarlets-close-signing-tongan-youtube-3421205

Are the Ospreys going to keep Arhip? I've been quite impressed with him the couple of times I've seen him.

I hope that they do because he has impressed me to, not every player can play across the whole front row either so he was a rare finding. He is used mostly a tight head and hooker. First game he played I just thought he was some cheap signing, but through the season he has really impressed me. It shows that whoever in in charge of ospreys recruitment is very good and does his home work. I mean a moldovian prop who clames to play in the whole of the front row in a russain club team isn't at the top of every teams list. But it has paid off for ospreys as he has been cheap and made impact of the bench.

After Stowers attempt at beheading Fenby and nothing being done about it, I would be disguisted if he came to us.

We have to forgive and forget. I know I was up in arms at the time but it's in the past. No worries anyway, he is off to new Zealand.

the evening post is running with the fonua story....looks like we are still looking to strengthen at 8 and the back 3, however as Easterby states budgets are tight. my only concern if we sign fonua is that's our quota for NWQ. So we'll have to find 2 experienced welsh wingers from somewhere that are available. can't think of any to be truthful.

thebluesmancometh wrote:So Burton has quit international rugby to focus all his efforts on...

Keeping Steff Jones out of the team,

Kicking away posession and being hidden in defence,

Hitting the odd shot at goal when Prydies not around,

And taking wages that couldve been spent on the tight 5.

YAY congrats Dragons!

Bluesman, to evaluate anything, you consider both the benefits and the costs. If I followed your lead, I'd never want children because they cry all the time without telling you why, are incontinent for months and will cost me a load of money for years to come.

thebluesmancometh wrote:So Burton has quit international rugby to focus all his efforts on...

Keeping Steff Jones out of the team,

Kicking away posession and being hidden in defence,

Hitting the odd shot at goal when Prydies not around,

And taking wages that couldve been spent on the tight 5.

YAY congrats Dragons!

Firstly, he should really be commended for retiring and concentrating on playing for us.

The onus should be on Steff Jones to improve his consistency next year and if his form dictates his inclusion, I'm sure he will be first choice. I'm sure if he does kick away possession, it won't be any different to what we do anyway. It's wrong to assume what he will do tactics wise anyway, as it's Darren's call (if he remains) as to how we play.

Prydie and Steff have been guilty of missing a few simple kicks this season, so to get another option is sensible, plus we have already spent money on the front five and there's still the possibility of more to come, unless you have inside information on what budget we have left?

Jhamer25 wrote:

After Stowers attempt at beheading Fenby and nothing being done about it, I would be disguisted if he came to us.

We have to forgive and forget. I know I was up in arms at the time but it's in the past. No worries anyway, he is off to new Zealand.

To be fair we would have been safe in the play-offs with a few game to go if that incident had been dealt with, so I find it hard to forget, and I am not really the sort to forgive. But seeing as he is not coming to us, I can just ignore it, thankfully.

I watched that match in Lanzarote. It was never a tackle in a million years.

Scarlets moving to Cardiff RFC;
http://www.cardiffrfc.com/News/Article/24946

I knew Jedward was heading your way, but had no idea about Cieron Thomas. Fair play was a solid enough fly half when he was with us, just nothing flashy.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I knew Jedward was heading your way, but had no idea about Cieron Thomas. Fair play was a solid enough fly half when he was with us, just nothing flashy.

Any info on "Scarlets Academy outside half Jack Maynard" as he's joining too?

Tom Slater returns from Bristol - Cardiff Blues SH cover perhaps?
http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/5095.php

dave jack maynard is very highly rated in west wales. a lot of people just automatically thought he'd get a development contract with us. however it looks like with priestland, shingler, Jordan, aled Thomas, gareth owen all able to play in the 10 jersey our tight budget as meant we haven't been able to offer one to jack.

think you guys have got yourself a really good player there, plenty of potential. our loss your gain.

thebluesmancometh wrote:So Burton has quit international rugby to focus all his efforts on...

Keeping Steff Jones out of the team,

Kicking away posession and being hidden in defence,

Hitting the odd shot at goal when Prydies not around,

And taking wages that couldve been spent on the tight 5.

YAY congrats Dragons!

Daft post this. Some really spurious ideas about Stef Jones's ability to be first choice ten that seem to be based on a few looks at the Scrum V highlight reel, alongside some even more silly disregard for the depth of the Dragons squad and the total lack of equivalency between recruiting in the backs and in the front five

Steff is still far too inconsistent at FH.

I'm please with the Dragons signings considering where we are in the table and what limited budget we have - we've got ourselves a decent hooker, a prop, a centre, an experience fly half and an inform flanker/8

I'ce renewed my season ticket anyway and got a mate one too

And a decent (IMO) scrum half too in R Rees, Munk.

And a (reportedly) very promising lock.

Griff wrote:And a decent (IMO) scrum half too in R Rees, Munk.

I'd forgotten abour RR

He's good to have but our young 9 is doing well winning Argus player of the season

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:And a (reportedly) very promising lock.

Thats what they said about Nimmo