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

So where does that leave captain McCusker then? I'd go as far as to say Turnbull is playing better than him this season. Both pretty average though after showing much promise in the past.

So where does that leave captain McCusker then? I'd go as far as to say Turnbull is playing better than him this season. Both pretty average though after showing much promise in the past.

Really Turnball has been not far from abysmal this season. Last season he was probably our best 6 but this year he had dropped right down in my rankings. Fair does to Rob he has had a go at 8 were we needed help and he has improves as the season has graduated. He hasn't done a bad job but we need a real 8 like fonua to come in and take over.
A back row of Shingler, Fonua, Barclay next season with Rob on the bench to cover 8 and 6 would be amazing. This is why I think we need to ship turnball of somewhere else. An Aviva club would pay a nice sum for his signature and it's not like we don't have strength at 6 now. So if fonua does come I doubt turnball will get much time next season. So best to release him and spend more money for a good winger.
Also Mccusker will loose captaincy and I think it should go to either snyman or Ken owens. both very talkative and outstanding players who lead form the front. Would say earle as well but he doesn't talk as much but he does still lead from the front. Overall I would love snyman, there all year and an amazing player. His try saving tackle on that centre Olding with earle yesterday was genius. Great awarnesss.

Well do you think a powerful unit like Jake Ball should partner Snyman?

Turnbull was outstanding last season but has been carrying an injury all of this season. That's why he opted not to go with Wales to Japan and have the surgery instead.

I agree that the should give Ball more game time he made a huge difference to the scrums when he came on yesterday, prop Rhodri Jones also looks to be recovering from his injury and impressed.

Scarlet's need a proper pre season with the bulk of their squad. also need to recruit some back three players soon. What about bringing Aled Brew back from France, its the only region he hasn't played for!

I've got a lot of time for Jake Ball, very happy that he is Welsh QF. Was shocked that he was not on the tour to Japan. If the Scarlet’s can keep hold of them for the next 3/4 years Jones, Owens, Lee, Ball and Snyman will be a formidable front 5. Also, have the Scarlet’s stopped trying to convert Jones to a TH?

Think Wales have missed a trick not capping Jake ball. Very embrasive enforcer type lock that is rare in Wales. Western Force supporters were gutted when he left, don't hear about many good potential super 15 stars leaving for a Welsh region. Eligible for Australia and England, so could miss out on him.

Well do you think a powerful unit like Jake Ball should partner Snyman?

Ball is definitely a Unit, so strong and the type of player who i would love in my team. He reminds me of Brad Thorn a bit, a scrummaging lock due to his size. Lets remember mind he is still only 21. He isn't the best in the line out as of yet which is why I think Wales haven't called him up yet, scarlets have the likes of shingler as well who are awesome in the linout so we don't use ball as much. He is a star for the future. Best signing we made last season.

I've got a lot of time for Jake Ball, very happy that he is Welsh QF. Was shocked that he was not on the tour to Japan. If the Scarlet’s can keep hold of them for the next 3/4 years Jones, Owens, Lee, Ball and Snyman will be a formidable front 5. Also, have the Scarlet’s stopped trying to convert Jones to a TH?

Yea i was also very annoyed that ball didn't get the chance to tour as well. They chose to pick a blindside flanker to tour as a lock instead (james King). Not fair really, King isn't big enough for a lock and i would rather had seen someone like Ball or even lloyd pears go. We need to cap ball ASAP

Also Rhodri is going on the japan tour as a tighthead i think becuase with bevinton, gill and hobbs all looseheads jones will be seen as a versatille replacment I think. I think scarlet have stopped trying to convert him to tighthead but Wales haven't.

Wish we'd stop messing with our loose head props. I can't think of one player who was "converted" who has actually done well at 3. We tried it with Gethin, didn’t work, Yapp, didn’t work. I'm sure that there are others out there.

James is the only success I can think of. If they want to develope props for both sides they need to start making youth teams rotate their prop from loose to tight and he otherway too at an early age. But with two props on the bench it makes more sence to just let lads specialise in one shirt.

Wish we'd stop messing with our loose head props. I can't think of one player who was "converted" who has actually done well at 3. We tried it with Gethin, didn’t work, Yapp, didn’t work. I'm sure that there are others out there.

Spot on, we have a god tight heads coming threw in in
lee
Jarvis
Andrews and Mitchell.
We have a good field of props at the moment. We are rich with looseheads.
Gethin
Paul
Gill
Bevington
Rhodri Jones
and trust me know when I say keep an eye out for Rob evans in the future. A star in the making that kid is.
I think and we have good tigheheads coming threw know so whats the point in converting a player from loose to tight if they are naturally a loose because believe it or not they are completely different positions.

James is the only success I can think of. If they want to develope props for both sides they need to start making youth teams rotate their prop from loose to tight and he otherway too at an early age. But with two props on the bench it makes more sence to just let lads specialise in one shirt

Agree with what you say except for James, he is a brilliant loosehead but every game he has played at tight for wales and the ospreys he was terrible at tight. An out and out loosehead Paul is but has been pushed to tighthead a few times. Not fair on him.

Imagine if Scarlets did get Opeti Fonua?

Next year the Ulster games, with Nick Williams, it would be like when an unstoppable force meets an unmoveable object kind of thing.

BOOM!!!!

Not like Phil John bouncing back and looking all confused and upset.

FOnua has signed for Bayonne.

So does that mean we can start chasing Delve again? OR are we going to just have to start looking for another big hard number 8, that no other club with cash or credentials want.

disappointing but not surprised since his youtube smash on Wilkinson raised his profile. i'm hoping we had contingency plans for another 8 if Opeti Fonua didn't sign for us. Think the Delve deal has been off for a while, he just came to our ground a while back to discuss terms. only other name I've heard mentioned in young osprey dan baker. but he isn't really the experienced gainline monster we need at present.

pioden gorllewin wrote:disappointing but not surprised since his youtube smash on Wilkinson raised his profile. i'm hoping we had contingency plans for another 8 if Opeti Fonua didn't sign for us. Think the Delve deal has been off for a while, he just came to our ground a while back to discuss terms. only other name I've heard mentioned in young osprey dan baker. but he isn't really the experienced gainline monster we need at present.

Names like that tend to be mentioned just because they are not getting game time for their region, yet. THat said he is touring with Wales this summer, and McBryde may have a word (as might Mark), the same goes for the Neath lad on the wing.

I'd be happy if the neath lad signed for us, dafydd howells? looks very promising.

Yeah it is something like that (Daf something, I always want to say James ).

Any news on where Tom Brown is headed? Didn't want to sign him, but at the moment with Murphy going we need someone.

Wouldn't been too disappointed if we signed Tom Brown. I guess Bayonne will no longer be chasing Jon Thomas of the Ospreys. I hope that doesn't been he might be heading over to us instead!

The only positive if we did get Baker,Brown,Thomas etc....it would leave a NWQ space for a winger. Cause the WQ wingers that are available are not that inspiring too Czekaj, Harries etc...

Jon Thomas is a Pembs lad, so I guess he should honour his blood and spend some time in Scarlets colours, but that said I would rather he didn't. If we are going to have to sign a welsh no. 8 (unless there is a no 8 Jake Ball out there waiting to be found) then I would ratehr we went young, and save cash.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Yeah it is something like that (Daf something, I always want to say James ).

Any news on where Tom Brown is headed? Didn't want to sign him, but at the moment with Murphy going we need someone.

to Jersey....

http://draggedup.co.uk/chat/viewtopic.php?t=4889

Cheers Dave, got to agree with the Dragons fans on there, he is better than Jersey, but I guess starting week in week out there is better than being on the bench at another region week in week out.

I really don't understand why we let him go. He seemed to make an impact in all his games - a real cannonball of a player, very abrasive. Imjued a bit mind, so maybe that counted against him. Whether it's just that we had too many back row options and they knew that Talei was coming? Who knows. But he's always had a bit of a nomadic career so maybe there were other issues.

Im absolutely gutted about Opeti. I thought we had a chance for a moment with him.
I don't know who we can look to know.
Baker would be our best option or Morgan Allen.
We never really had a chance with delve so I never really got my hopes up over it but I did with opeti which is why I am so gutted.
Dan Baker is a star in the making and will be capped one day, yes he is young and inexperienced but he will be better than what we had this season. Morgan Allen wouldn't be a bas shout. He is a very good ball carrier and gets you over that gain line.
Um any ideas of who is out their guys, I don't want Thomas as I would rather a young Welsh 8 or a better foreigner.
Tom Brown would have been a good back up for us in big games but yes he is much better than Jersey. Aren't they near the bottom of the table.

Jersey are an improving side by all accounts, big abbrasive pack gives a good set piece and after getting promoted last season I believe they are staying up so will no doubt be looking to build again. They took a bit of a blow after agreeing a deal with Richard Haughton only for him to run off to France before offering them any of the counter attacking skills they signed him for.

They also lost their ball carrying 8 to Wasps so presumably the lad Brown is a direct replacement.

If they are close to the playoffs next season it will have been a good year for them.

Shame to hear young Dragons prop Dan Watchurts has had to retire due to injury.

bit of movement with the welsh regions today with ma-afu going to nottingham:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22510737

also morgan allen has signed a new contract with the ospreys. although there is a rumour wales u20 number 8 dan baker might be heading to the scarlets. well at least we've approached him

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3825_8712135,00.html

pioden gorllewin wrote:bit of movement with the welsh regions today with ma-afu going to nottingham:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22510737

also morgan allen has signed a new contract with the ospreys. although there is a rumour wales u20 number 8 dan baker might be heading to the scarlets. well at least we've approached him

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3825_8712135,00.html

This is without a doubt, the best news I have heard in ages.

he's probably found his level to be truthful. guess it also indicates he wasn't on particularly much money with the blues if nottingham can afford to take over his wages. think he was a "punt" signing that didn't come off. How many NWQ are at the Blues now? Copeland, Paulo,Bourrust, Tamba, Kyriacou, Filise....can see the last two names leaving this summer. that leaves the blues two NWQ spaces left. hopefully PT/Manning will go over to NZ and get a quality backrower & centre.

I hope they don't get a centre pioden, I want them to give Cory Allen a chance first.

Think Cory Allen & Owen Williams will get plenty of game time next season. For arguments sake blues sign all black Richard kahui from the chiefs (if he wasn't going to Japan) Allen & Williams would learn so so much more from that player, than they would from Hewitt or Gavin Evans. No disrecpect to those two players as they are good pros. But kahui is on a different level. Our young players would only improve from training daily with players like Jim.

pioden gorllewin wrote:Think Cory Allen & Owen Williams will get plenty of game time next season. For arguments sake blues sign all black Richard kahui from the chiefs (if he wasn't going to Japan) Allen & Williams would learn so so much more from that player, than they would from Hewitt or Gavin Evans. No disrecpect to those two players as they are good pros. But kahui is on a different level. Our young players would only improve from training daily with players like Jim.

I here what your saying pioden, as long as they get a good one, Ma Nonu perhaps.

I would prefer it if the Blues did not sign another NWQ player for next season. I think they've got plenty of WQ options in their squad, and I want them to save some money and use those options. Gavin Evans, Dafydd Hewitt, Owen Williams are a few of many centre options for next season. Why spend money on positions that you have covered already? I don't think it's a sensible approach.

pioden gorllewin wrote:he's probably found his level to be truthful. guess it also indicates he wasn't on particularly much money with the blues if nottingham can afford to take over his wages. think he was a "punt" signing that didn't come off. How many NWQ are at the Blues now? Copeland, Paulo,Bourrust, Tamba, Kyriacou, Filise....can see the last two names leaving this summer. that leaves the blues two NWQ spaces left. hopefully PT/Manning will go over to NZ and get a quality backrower & centre.

Hopefully it will be Phil Davies who makes the signings not PThomas!

LordDowlais wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:Think Cory Allen & Owen Williams will get plenty of game time next season. For arguments sake blues sign all black Richard kahui from the chiefs (if he wasn't going to Japan) Allen & Williams would learn so so much more from that player, than they would from Hewitt or Gavin Evans. No disrecpect to those two players as they are good pros. But kahui is on a different level. Our young players would only improve from training daily with players like Jim.

I here what your saying pioden, as long as they get a good one, Ma Nonu perhaps.

Think Ma Nonu has been linked to the Blues before, he'd attract the crowds & be good for marketing the Blues brand. Also the young centres would learn off a world cup winner.

pioden gorllewin wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:Think Cory Allen & Owen Williams will get plenty of game time next season. For arguments sake blues sign all black Richard kahui from the chiefs (if he wasn't going to Japan) Allen & Williams would learn so so much more from that player, than they would from Hewitt or Gavin Evans. No disrecpect to those two players as they are good pros. But kahui is on a different level. Our young players would only improve from training daily with players like Jim.

I here what your saying pioden, as long as they get a good one, Ma Nonu perhaps.

Think Ma Nonu has been linked to the Blues before, he'd attract the crowds & be good for marketing the Blues brand. Also the young centres would learn off a world cup winner.

I believe the young Blues centres wouldn't be playing much if Ma Nonu was in the squad. I think Owen Williams starting in the centre would also attract fans, especially Ponty fans, to the Arms Park.

Scrumdown wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:he's probably found his level to be truthful. guess it also indicates he wasn't on particularly much money with the blues if nottingham can afford to take over his wages. think he was a "punt" signing that didn't come off. How many NWQ are at the Blues now? Copeland, Paulo,Bourrust, Tamba, Kyriacou, Filise....can see the last two names leaving this summer. that leaves the blues two NWQ spaces left. hopefully PT/Manning will go over to NZ and get a quality backrower & centre.

Hopefully it will be Phil Davies who makes the signings not PThomas!

Sure Phil Davies does have a large input - might be wrong but believe PT and Manning have an input too, especially PT as it's his money. didn't they even take gareth edwards over to NZ before to persuade xavier rush to sign.

international197 wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:Think Cory Allen & Owen Williams will get plenty of game time next season. For arguments sake blues sign all black Richard kahui from the chiefs (if he wasn't going to Japan) Allen & Williams would learn so so much more from that player, than they would from Hewitt or Gavin Evans. No disrecpect to those two players as they are good pros. But kahui is on a different level. Our young players would only improve from training daily with players like Jim.

I here what your saying pioden, as long as they get a good one, Ma Nonu perhaps.

Think Ma Nonu has been linked to the Blues before, he'd attract the crowds & be good for marketing the Blues brand. Also the young centres would learn off a world cup winner.

I believe the young Blues centres wouldn't be playing much if Ma Nonu was in the squad. I think Owen Williams starting in the centre would also attract fans, especially Ponty fans, to the Arms Park.

international197 wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:Think Cory Allen & Owen Williams will get plenty of game time next season. For arguments sake blues sign all black Richard kahui from the chiefs (if he wasn't going to Japan) Allen & Williams would learn so so much more from that player, than they would from Hewitt or Gavin Evans. No disrecpect to those two players as they are good pros. But kahui is on a different level. Our young players would only improve from training daily with players like Jim.

I here what your saying pioden, as long as they get a good one, Ma Nonu perhaps.

Think Ma Nonu has been linked to the Blues before, he'd attract the crowds & be good for marketing the Blues brand. Also the young centres would learn off a world cup winner.

I believe the young Blues centres wouldn't be playing much if Ma Nonu was in the squad. I think Owen Williams starting in the centre would also attract fans, especially Ponty fans, to the Arms Park.

Rubbish

There are loads of games in a season and at the moment the Blues have 2 good centres in Allen and Owen and 2 stop-gaps in Evans and Hewitt.

Evans and Hewitt and liked by Baber (because he is a complete tool) and I would happily sign a quality NWQ to get them out of the way

The Blues have 2 wingers in the entire squad at the moment (and one will be on international duty while the other is awful) - so Owen Williams will probably keep being put on the wing despite his best position being 13 (again I blame Baber and Davies)


Nonu is dreamland, but I would certainly be happy to see Allen, Owen and Nonu as the 3 main centres next season

Do you think JD2 and Scott learnt nothing from King?
Warburton nothing from Williams?
Preistland nothing from Jones?
etc....

A lot of young players learn a lot from an international quality player fighting for their position

hat's the score with chris czejkai heard he was moving on this summer? if he does i just pray it's not to the scarlets.

pioden gorllewin wrote:hat's the score with chris czejkai heard he was moving on this summer? if he does i just pray it's not to the scarlets.

There was talk, nothing mentioned so far

I hope we keep him, he probably will be back on the wing next season though.

Why the hell have the Turks got rid of Fenby ? And brought back McShingler when they have a perfectly good young 10. Beggars belief

munkian wrote:Why the hell have the Turks got rid of Fenby ? And brought back McShingler when they have a perfectly good young 10. Beggars belief

Who's the 10 ??

The blues need to do what we are doing any get rid of the dead weight in the team that is slowing them down. Ospreys did it last season, scarlets r doing it this season and even though the blues lost all there stars last season they still have a descent bunch of players who could put themselves in a good standing next season. They like the Scarlets just need to strengthen in certain positions like centre. They already have enhanced their front row. I mean campese out and gethin in isn't bad really is it. Campese was useless like benoit so get rid and use the money elsewhere. And Chris czejki at Scarlets wouldn't be bad, Welsh qualified, within our budget and a descent player. But then again I would stick with any winger who comes into a rumour as we are so desperate for 1. We need news Simon on signing back 3 players. It's driving me mad

wales606 wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:hat's the score with chris czejkai heard he was moving on this summer? if he does i just pray it's not to the scarlets.

There was talk, nothing mentioned so far

I hope we keep him, he probably will be back on the wing next season though.

why pioden he isn't a bad player mind

munkian wrote:Why the hell have the Turks got rid of Fenby ? And brought back McShingler when they have a perfectly good young 10. Beggars belief

We tried to keep hold of Fenby but he wanted to leave. He's spent some time last year living in London ( his missus works and lives in London) also with him taking up accountancy once his rugby career is finished he wanted to be in London. Be fair we'll miss crazy legs, pretty under rated.

With Owen Williams his agent didn't tell us Leicester had offered him a contract. So we never got the opportunity to make a counter offer. That's why Easterby wasn't too happy with Owens agent.

Jhamer25 wrote:

wales606 wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:hat's the score with chris czejkai heard he was moving on this summer? if he does i just pray it's not to the scarlets.

There was talk, nothing mentioned so far

I hope we keep him, he probably will be back on the wing next season though.

why pioden he isn't a bad player mind

Don't really rate him - defensively he's average. Also still does that thing of slowing down to a standstill when going into contact. Which is pretty poor for such a big lad.

Jhamer25 wrote:The blues need to do what we are doing any get rid of the dead weight in the team that is slowing them down. Ospreys did it last season, scarlets r doing it this season and even though the blues lost all there stars last season they still have a descent bunch of players who could put themselves in a good standing next season. They like the Scarlets just need to strengthen in certain positions like centre. They already have enhanced their front row. I mean campese out and gethin in isn't bad really is it. Campese was useless like benoit so get rid and use the money elsewhere. And Chris czejki at Scarlets wouldn't be bad, Welsh qualified, within our budget and a descent player. But then again I would stick with any winger who comes into a rumour as we are so desperate for 1. We need news Simon on signing back 3 players. It's driving me mad

Indeed, but some of our stars stuck around.
A reminder as to who left last season;

Ben Blair
Casey Laulala
Dan Parks
Deiniol Jones
Gethin Jenkins
John Yapp
Maama Molitika
Martyn Williams
Paul Tito
Richie Rees
T Rhys Thomas
Xavier Rush
(and Henson I suppose)

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have confirmed the departures of three overseas players as they clear the decks for their new arrivals.

Irish full back Jamie Smith’s injury-plagued spell at Rodney Parade is over, the Ulsterman having made just four appearances in two seasons.

South Africa international wing Tonderai Chavhanga and Samoa centre Andy Tuilagi have also left.

Back row forward Hywel Stoddart, 27, and lock Josh Tyler, 22, have also left the region at the end of their contracts.

Number eight Tom Brown, 29, has signed for Jersey in the English Championship and loosehead prop Dan Watchurst has retired at the age of 23 after a serious of injuries.

“We thank all the players for their efforts throughout their time with the region and wish them all the best for the challenges that lie ahead,” said director of rugby Robert Beale.

A hip injury forced hooker Steve Jones to retire in April while it has been known since December that Wales star Dan Lydiate will be playing elsewhere next season.

The Dragons have made six new signings for next season with former Wales duo Richie Rees and Rhys Thomas heading to Rodney Parade along with Fijian back row forward Netani Talei, South African lock Martin Muller, Argentina prop Tetaz Chapparo and Italy fly half Kris Burton.

Wasn't josh Tyler the lock? Wasn't big things expected from him? Will the Dragons recruit one more player?

That's him. He came on as a sub a few times this season, but he looked far too lightweight to me.