Welsh Regions Signings/Departures/Rumours 2013 (Scarlets link with Blues winger Albert Nikoro)

n Harris arrives at Ospreys

In

Tito Tebaldi (Zebra) – Confirmed
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets) - Rumour
Tyler Ardron (Ontario Blues) - Confirmed
Jamie Murphy (Bridgend) - Confirmed
Jeff Hassler (Prairie Wolf Pack) - Confirmed
Mathew Dwyer (Bridgend) - Confirmed
Sam Williams (Aberavon)- Confirmed
Chris Gibbes ( Waikato/ Assistant Coach) - Confirmed
Zac Guilford (Crusaders) -Rumour
Aisea Natoga (Nadroga) - Confirmed


Out

Kahn Fotuali'i (Northampton Saints) - Confirmed
Jonathan Thomas (/Worcester Warriors) - Confirmed
Jonathan Humphries (Scotland Forwards Coach) - Confirmed
Campbell Johnstone ( Russian Club) - Confirmed
George Stowers (Tasman) - Confirmed
Cai Griffiths (London Welsh)- Confirmed
Ian Gough (Dragons) - Rumour

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) - Confirmed
Jamie Cub Davies (Carmarthen Athletic) - Confirmed
Josh Lewis (Ebbw Vale) - Confirmed
William Helu (Rugby Roma Olimpic) - Rumour
Lachlan McCaffery (Western Force)- Rumour
Rodnet So'oialo (Honda Heat) - Rumour
Frazier Climo (Taranaki) - Rumour
Albert Nikoro (Blues) -Rumour


Out

Tomas vallejos cinalli (Pampas XV) – Confirmed
Gareth Maule (London Irish/Munster) – Rumour
Adam Warren (Cardiff)- Rumour
Scott Williams (Cardiff) – Rumour
Rhodri Williams (Ospreys) – Rumour
Tavis Knoyle ( Gloucester) – Confirmed
Gareth Davies (Blues) –Rumour
Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers) – Confirmed
Jonathan Edwards (Cardiff RFC) – Confirmed
Andy Fenby (London Irish) - confirmed
Morgan Stoddart (Retired) - Confirmed
Dan Newton (London Scottish) - Confirmed
Kieron Murphy (Brive) - Confirmed
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 (Gloucester) - Rumour
Peter Edwards (London Welsh) -Confirmed
Craig Hawkins (Released) - Confirmed
Craig Price (Leicester Tigers) -Rumour
Lee Williams (Carmarthen Quins)- Confirmed


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
Lyn Jones (London Welsh) -Confirmed
Kingsley Jones (Russia National Team) - Rumour
Mathew Screech (Cardiff Blues) - Confirmed
Franck Montanella (London Welsh) - Rumour
Hudson Tonga’uiha (London Welsh) - Rumour
Jason Tovey (Cardiff Blues)- Confirmed
Ian Gough (Ospreys) - 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
Tim Ryan (Coventry) - 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
Rodney So'oialo (Honda Heat) - Rumour

Out

Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro) - 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
Corry Hill (Cornish Pirates) - Confirmed
Andy Kyriacou (Retired)- Confirmed
Xavier Rush (Leaves) - Confirmed
Mathew Screech (Bedwas/Dragons) - Confirmed
Nathan Trevett  (London Welsh) - Confirmed
Jason Tovey (Dragons) - Confirmed

think they did gcblues......plus think they need to strengthen in the midfield and wing. I know Dirksen and Walker will be back next season, but apart from youngsters Dafydd Howells there's not much experience in the back 3. Also Beck, Spratt and Bishop pick up a fair amount of injuries during the season. Need another centre with a bit of experience.

Just read the article about Cub signing, pretty bad journo work "THE Scarlets are set to offer Wales sevens star James Davies a contract for next season.

Davies, who plays as a back-rower for Carmarthen Quins, excelled during the latest IRB Sevens World Series.

The 27-year-old, who is the older brother of Scarlets and Wales midfielder Jonathan, made his debut for Wales at the Gold Coast Sevens in 2012.


Read more: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/story-19120873-detail/story.html#ixzz2UfjExpf2
Follow us: @thisisswales on Twitter | thisissouthwales on Facebook"

Cub is only 23, and Foxy's younger brother (not older like they said) hence Cub. That said not a bad signing and one that people have been mumbling about on Scarletfever for a while due to the unballenced 666 backrow we have feilded this season.

My only concern is that, from what I have heard, he is not as 'professional' as his brother in attitude, and is meant to enjoy being a young lad a bit too much.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/scarlets-considered-gareth-delve-bid-4025080

The Scarlets have distanced themselves from social media gossip which claimed they would be signing Gareth Delve despite admitting he’s the sort of ball-carrier they need.

Wales forward Delve is on his way out of Super 15 outfit Melbourne Rebels but it’s unlikely any Welsh region would meet his wage demands.

The Rebels captain and supporters’ favourite is set to sign a big-money deal to join a club in Japan.

Scarlets forwards coach Danny Wilson revealed the region had considered mounting a bid for the 30-year-old former Bath and Gloucester No. 8.

But finances at Parc y Scarlets are in a parlous state with a grim warning about the future of the region in their latest published annual accounts.

“Delve was another name who has been mentioned but he’s expensive and has got a couple of other options,” said Wilson. The 11-times’ capped Delve is likely to lead the Rebels into battle against Warren Gatland’s Lions in Melbourne on June 25.

The Cardiff born back-rower will leave the Victoria franchise after his three-year stay extended beyond the normal two years allowed by the Australian Rugby Union for overseas players.

Delve joined the Rebels in 2010 from Gloucester, who he had captained in the Aviva Premiership.

He was involved in the spat last March which saw Australia star Kurtley Beale sent home from South Africa and suspended.

Delve was punched by Beale after ordering the Wallaby ace to put his shirt back on following a night out in Durban in the wake of a humiliating defeat against the Sharks.

Wilson disclosed the Scarlets had also toyed with the idea of recruiting Jonathan Thomas, who yesterday left the Ospreys for Worcester Warriors.

“Jonathan is definitely a quality player and a name that came up,” he said.

“In many ways he does fit the bill, but we aren’t hiding away from the fact we are looking for an out and out ball-carrying No.8. Jonathan is a leader, a lineout forward and an athlete, but we already have those type of players.

“Josh Turnbull, Rob McCusker and Aaron Shingler are very similar to Jonathan.”

Skipper McCusker, a Wales international, filled in at the base of the scrum for the Scarlets, but openly admits he prefers being on the flank.

“We need and want to sign a No. 8, but, at the same time, it’s got to be the right person to do a job,” stressed Wilson.

“What I have noticed about the Scarlets since I joined them a year ago is they are very thorough in the process they go through before making a signing.

“You can never be 100% certain of success with signings, but Joe Snyman and George Earle have been good for us.”

Wilson eased fears that new openside flanker recruit John Barclay might miss the start of next season after being ruled out of Scotland’s summer Tests in South Africa.

The 41-times-capped forward needs surgery on a shoulder injury sustained earlier this season and will go under the knife later this week.

“He will be back for the start of the season – it’s just a tidy up of a shoulder and is nothing serious,” said Wilson.

“John is a good signing, what we needed.

“He’s a leader, a seven who has played at the top end of the game.”

The operation means the 26-year-old, who has swapped Glasgow Warriors for the Scarlets, will miss adding to his Scottish tally during an international tournament containing South Africa, Samoa and Italy.

Caretaker Scotland coach Scott Johnson, who it was confirmed yesterday would continue in his role for another 12 months before making way for Clermont Auvergne’s Vern Cotter, has no plans to replace Barclay in his 30-man squad.

I'm happy that the Scarlets have signed James Davies. I think he'll compete with and bring the best out of Daniel Thomas and Jon Barclay at openside. E. Elis Lloyd* is another openside at Carmarthen Quins, who's been nominated top player at Carmarthen Quins this season*, I would like the Scarlets to maybe sign him, however I believe there's a lot of competition at openside at the Scarlets for next season already, especially considering Turnbull, Shingler and McCusker can compete there as well. Also, I think openside Shaun Miles from Llandovery RFC is also a competitor for the openside position at the Scarlets, player of the month October for the Principality Premiership*. I suspect the Scarlets will sign an eight next, there seems to be a lot of demand on scarlet fever for an eight, plus that position has less strength in depth than 7 and 6, and all other positions, at the Scarlets next season (Sion Bennett and Craig Price the two recognised eights, so one more eight would be an asset I think for next season for the Scarlets, to provide extra competition and strength in depth in that position).

*http://www.carmarthenquinsrfc.co.uk/Teams/Player?PersonId=137072
*https://www.facebook.com/#!/principalitypremiership?hc_location=stream
*http://www.llandoveryrfc.co.uk/News/Article/22865

If the Ospreys are after a centre, I think Geraint O'Driscoll* looks a neat centre, won player of the year for Newport RFC this season*, I believe he's from the Ospreys region as well so I would be happy to see the Ospreys signing him. I think he'd compete with the likes of Ashley Beck, Dafydd Howells, Andrew Bishop, Ben John, Tom Isaacs and Jonathan Spratt, some of the Ospreys players competing in the centre for next season, for a starting berth.

*http://www.blackandambers.co.uk/Teams/Player?PersonId=131448
*https://www.facebook.com/#!/principalitypremiership?hc_location=stream.

I've given up with 8's now. All the good ones have been or are going to get scooped up. First Opeti now delve, we just can't compete. It's a miracle on how we got Barclay. I'm sure it's Will b some second choice 8 in the itm or Currie cup the way it's going.

Jhamer25 wrote:I've given up with 8's now. All the good ones have been or are going to get scooped up. First Opeti now delve, we just can't compete. It's a miracle on how we got Barclay. I'm sure it's Will b some second choice 8 in the itm or Currie cup the way it's going.

Be patient I reckon is the order of the day. Best wait until after the RRW/WRU conflict is settled and the HEC doo-dah is sorted before splashing crazy cash.

international197 wrote:If the Ospreys are after a centre, I think Geraint O'Driscoll* looks a neat centre, won player of the year for Newport RFC this season*, I believe he's from the Ospreys region as well so I would be happy to see the Ospreys signing him. I think he'd compete with the likes of Ashley Beck, Dafydd Howells, Andrew Bishop, Ben John, Tom Isaacs and Jonathan Spratt, some of the Ospreys players competing in the centre for next season, for a starting berth.

*http://www.blackandambers.co.uk/Teams/Player?PersonId=131448
*https://www.facebook.com/#!/principalitypremiership?hc_location=stream.

Why does "from the Ospreys region" matter though? Also, as you like posting links, could you post a link to a regional rugby map of Wales coz I haven't managed to find one?

Looks like LW Jon Mills has signed for Sale Sharks.

Does anyone think he could have done a job for their region? He's had a fantastic season with LW, stood out leader. Scarlets & Ospreys are well stocked on Locks & Backrows. Think he could have done a job at the Dragons & possible replacement for Paterson at the Blues.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3823_8741617,00.html

Totally unrelated but looks like Zebre are about to sign Brendon to replace Ospreys steal on Tito.

http://blogs.espnscrum.com/latest-news/archives/2013/05/former_all_black_leonard_set_f.php

Cardiff Dave wrote:

international197 wrote:If the Ospreys are after a centre, I think Geraint O'Driscoll* looks a neat centre, won player of the year for Newport RFC this season*, I believe he's from the Ospreys region as well so I would be happy to see the Ospreys signing him. I think he'd compete with the likes of Ashley Beck, Dafydd Howells, Andrew Bishop, Ben John, Tom Isaacs and Jonathan Spratt, some of the Ospreys players competing in the centre for next season, for a starting berth.

*http://www.blackandambers.co.uk/Teams/Player?PersonId=131448
*https://www.facebook.com/#!/principalitypremiership?hc_location=stream.

Why does "from the Ospreys region" matter though? Also, as you like posting links, could you post a link to a regional rugby map of Wales coz I haven't managed to find one?

Yes, there's a map on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlets.

international197 wrote:Yes, there's a map on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlets.

File:WalesRugbyRegions.png.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No file by this name exists.

File usage

No pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file. (Pages on other projects are not counted.)

Type in Scarlets into wikipedia and you'll see it. Tell me when you've found it.

Not sure what the problem was openning the hyperlink, when I copied and pasted it worked fine, very weird anyhow here is a pic of the map.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:I've given up with 8's now. All the good ones have been or are going to get scooped up. First Opeti now delve, we just can't compete. It's a miracle on how we got Barclay. I'm sure it's Will b some second choice 8 in the itm or Currie cup the way it's going.

Be patient I reckon is the order of the day. Best wait until after the RRW/WRU conflict is settled and the HEC doo-dah is sorted before splashing crazy cash.

But all the good 8' are going to be scooped up sooner rather than later. An 8 should be our main recruitment priority. If I was to wait for the RRW and WRU to settle down, surly that would take years.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Not sure what the problem was openning the hyperlink, when I copied and pasted it worked fine, very weird anyhow here is a pic of the map.

And we wonder why the Dragons are the worst of the lot. Look how small our area is!

Griff wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Not sure what the problem was openning the hyperlink, when I copied and pasted it worked fine, very weird anyhow here is a pic of the map.

And we wonder why the Dragons are the worst of the lot. Look how small our area is!

Thats just the official mock up from what was allocated, in reality a lot of that Blues region has no interest in them!!!

I know, just joking. The Ospreys region actually looks the smallest. Go figure!

Scarlets have expressed an interest in Wellington Lions ball carrying 8 Genesis Mamea. Seems like a Joe Snyman type of signing, that just might pay off.

He looks like a light weight though (6"3', 17st), although he does like a solid unit despite not being the 6"8' 25st lump that many of us wanted to see. And I guess he will be another one of those who, if he makes the grade, will become WQ in three years so will no longer effect the cap (if he stays etc).

Fingers crossed it does work out for us. Also a bit of a kick ass name too.

apparently we haven't firmed up the offer, so maybe we haven't decided where to use our last NQW spot. by the sounds of it we have many irons in the fire. guess we'll have to do the same as most years, and wait for the big boys (French, English clubs) to finish their spending first. then see who's left available.

Pick up the scraps that are left behind and hope to find something worth while. That worked ok for us last season with only one of our four NWQ signings turning out to be useless.

Look I'm not going to lie but if w e signed him I wouldn't really be happy I mean if our aim is to get a player who is playing in a second rated cup then we might as well keep mccuskcer there and sign Dan baker for development. Really they say they are taking a lot of thought with these signings yet all they seem to do is go shop at WorldArtists. I mean yes Earle and Snyman have paid off and been great, but they were rising into the super 15 teams. This Genasis has never been in the Super 15 and is second rated really. They should either look for a bigger, better and more experienced 8 or we stay with mccusker and sign someone like Dan Baker. He would be a waist of a NWQ as well

interestingly the two players Filo Tiatia rated before leaving to Japan was justin tipuric and dan baker. we all know what happened to tipuric, so who knows how far baker goes?

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Japan-bound-Dan-Baker-justify-Filo-Tiatia-praise/story-19131654-detail/story.html#axzz2UsqvLfok

thebluesmancometh wrote:

Griff wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Not sure what the problem was openning the hyperlink, when I copied and pasted it worked fine, very weird anyhow here is a pic of the map.

And we wonder why the Dragons are the worst of the lot. Look how small our area is!

Thats just the official mock up from what was allocated, in reality a lot of that Blues region has no interest in them!!!

and those borders are about as accurate and precise as a Tom James penalty kick. Done with jumbo crayons too so i'm told.
Here's the mad 2003 original blooprint. The blue region suddenly became 50ish times bigger in 2004 after the WRU killed off the Worriers;
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Welsh-Rugby-Regions-2003.jpg

Griff wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Not sure what the problem was openning the hyperlink, when I copied and pasted it worked fine, very weird anyhow here is a pic of the map.

And we wonder why the Dragons are the worst of the lot. Look how small our area is!

In this case size doesn't matter.

That would be more accurate of trends today though Dave don't you think?

Cardiff Dave wrote:
and those borders are about as accurate and precise as a Tom James penalty kick.

STOP REMINDING ME!

Jhamer25 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:I've given up with 8's now. All the good ones have been or are going to get scooped up. First Opeti now delve, we just can't compete. It's a miracle on how we got Barclay. I'm sure it's Will b some second choice 8 in the itm or Currie cup the way it's going.

Be patient I reckon is the order of the day. Best wait until after the RRW/WRU conflict is settled and the HEC doo-dah is sorted before splashing crazy cash.

But all the good 8' are going to be scooped up sooner rather than later. An 8 should be our main recruitment priority. If I was to wait for the RRW and WRU to settle down, surly that would take years.

Agreed you need an 8 as do Cardiff Blues, but how many good 8s would be tempted to come to Wales at this moment in time? None is probably the answer to that. I'm all for sorting the RRW/WRU matter first before spending loads on a single player.

Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

wales606 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:
and those borders are about as accurate and precise as a Tom James penalty kick.

STOP REMINDING ME!

Sorry about that and i'm reminding myself now of something that ruined my day. He did the Jonny stance as well so how could he miss FFS?!?!

thebluesmancometh wrote:That would be more accurate of trends today though Dave don't you think?

Trends?

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

Jhamer25 wrote:

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

To the Blues or the Scarlets sounds good. I'm sure the half owned WRU Drags wouldn't mind.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

To the Blues or the Scarlets sounds good. I'm sure the half owned WRU Drags wouldn't mind.

Especially when we are developing another 8 ready for the vultures to swoop upon anyway.

for some reason can see faletau signing for another year at the dragons. his father seems a big influence on him, and might see his sons best interests in the short term is in gwent.

risca is right, other teams are looking at ieuan jones. can see him having a big season next year.

I gather Gwlad reckon Appleyard and Rob Beale are goners from the Dragons and Lyn Jones is coming in? I thought Lyn was staying at Welsh to be honest, but I can see why Beale and Appleyard might be on borrowed time.

Beat me to it Rev. WRU Appleyard (pioneer of our famed prison shaming defence system) to the Job Centre is the best most we've made this season if true.

Jhamer25 wrote:The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh.

In what sense?

Stone Motif wrote:Beat me to it Rev. WRU Appleyard (pioneer of our famed prison shaming defence system) to the Job Centre is the best most we've made this season if true.

So with the WRU not giving a shaiser about the Dregs (never mind the other 3), Lydiate going to Paris, Faletau going to France after his contract is up and more vultures already circling for his replacement Jones, no sign of a coaching restructure then I have to be honest there doesn't look like there's much of a future for rugby in Gwent.

Jhamer25 wrote:

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

Blues? They get 100 points put on them every time they play Leinster.
Scarlets? Can't win a game in the Heineken Cup, pretty much get stuffed in every game.
Dragons need support from their Union so they can keep their best players and continue to build a strong team around the internationals. A bit like the Blues and Scarlets I guess, except they already have most of their international players. So why no competitive edge?

The Saint wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

Blues? They get 100 points put on them every time they play Leinster.
Scarlets? Can't win a game in the Heineken Cup, pretty much get stuffed in every game.
Dragons need support from their Union so they can keep their best players and continue to build a strong team around the internationals. A bit like the Blues and Scarlets I guess, except they already have most of their international players. So why no competitive edge?

Um first of all over exaggeration about Blues vs leinster. Name when thy have ever got beat by 100 points. Blues will be a much stronger sign with the likes of Gethin , Matthew, filo Paulo and they are a few more good signings (they can afford it).
Secondly, we did loose all game sin the Heineken cup but that but didn't we make it into the Top 4 in this years Rabo and the Amlin challenge cup quarter finals last year. Uh I think we did
And dragons have 3 international compared to the other 3 regions and they can't even keep them. Yes they do need help from the WRU but don't all the regions.

Jhamer25 wrote:

The Saint wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

Blues? They get 100 points put on them every time they play Leinster.
Scarlets? Can't win a game in the Heineken Cup, pretty much get stuffed in every game.
Dragons need support from their Union so they can keep their best players and continue to build a strong team around the internationals. A bit like the Blues and Scarlets I guess, except they already have most of their international players. So why no competitive edge?

Um first of all over exaggeration about Blues vs leinster. Name when thy have ever got beat by 100 points. Blues will be a much stronger sign with the likes of Gethin , Matthew, filo Paulo and they are a few more good signings (they can afford it).
Secondly, we did loose all game sin the Heineken cup but that but didn't we make it into the Top 4 in this years Rabo and the Amlin challenge cup quarter finals last year. Uh I think we did
And dragons have 3 international compared to the other 3 regions and they can't even keep them. Yes they do need help from the WRU but don't all the regions.

Of course it was. However if you add together the scores of Blues' past two visits to Dublin then you will find it equates to 100+ points. The two matches against Ulster this year aren't far off three figures either... Scarlets did make it into the play-offs, which wasn't difficult this year to be honest, but let us not forget the embarrassment against Treviso, Clermont, Exeter and Leinster. So I'll ask again, how would Toby be going to a competitive team here? BTW I've heard from a good source that he will be going to the South of France after he sees out his contract here at home.
Not sure why you're taking cheap shots stating that Dragons have 3 internationals and they can't even keep them; before going on to conclude with what I've just said to you. That doesn't make much sense to me?

The bad thing about Toby going is he is one of the few Welsh internationals to turn out for his region with any regularity. Lydiate - great player but meh, we never see him.

The Saint wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

The Saint wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

Griff wrote:Faletau to Blues or Scarlets?

I wouldn't like to do that to the Dragons though, all their star get taken away from them.
The Dragons don't do themselves a favour sometimes but it would just seem a bit harsh. They have lost Dan, they need to keep on to at least one of their main men.
But at the same time I feel he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team.

Blues? They get 100 points put on them every time they play Leinster.
Scarlets? Can't win a game in the Heineken Cup, pretty much get stuffed in every game.
Dragons need support from their Union so they can keep their best players and continue to build a strong team around the internationals. A bit like the Blues and Scarlets I guess, except they already have most of their international players. So why no competitive edge?

Um first of all over exaggeration about Blues vs leinster. Name when thy have ever got beat by 100 points. Blues will be a much stronger sign with the likes of Gethin , Matthew, filo Paulo and they are a few more good signings (they can afford it).
Secondly, we did loose all game sin the Heineken cup but that but didn't we make it into the Top 4 in this years Rabo and the Amlin challenge cup quarter finals last year. Uh I think we did
And dragons have 3 international compared to the other 3 regions and they can't even keep them. Yes they do need help from the WRU but don't all the regions.

Of course it was. However if you add together the scores of Blues' past two visits to Dublin then you will find it equates to 100+ points. The two matches against Ulster this year aren't far off three figures either... Scarlets did make it into the play-offs, which wasn't difficult this year to be honest, but let us not forget the embarrassment against Treviso, Clermont, Exeter and Leinster. So I'll ask again, how would Toby be going to a competitive team here? BTW I've heard from a good source that he will be going to the South of France after he sees out his contract here at home.
Not sure why you're taking cheap shots stating that Dragons have 3 internationals and they can't even keep them; before going on to conclude with what I've just said to you. That doesn't make much sense to me?

First of all look back to my original post and you will see that I never said that he would be better off at going to the blues or Scarlets because they will be more competitive. I said it would be unfair on the Dragons if he went to one of those 2 team . I said and I quote "he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team". Did I say that was the Blues or Scarlets? No
You combined two completely different sentences
And you quoted " Blues? They get 100 points put on them every time they play Leinster" didn't state you were adding them up now did you.
Secondly how am I taking cheap shots what I say is true. yes The Scarlet have lost North but we have more and have kept more of them than the Dragons. They should be able to keep their 3 international because they have less international than the other regions and can't keep them even though the ospreys keep the likes of adam jones, alyn wyn jones, Hibbard, Ian evans, Justing Tipuric Dan Bigger and they are given the same amount of money by the WRU than that's given with the Dragons. I'm not having a go at the dragons because I wan them to do good, but i'm just sating the obvious which by the looks you can't see.
Then finally you said "going on to conclude with what I've just said to you. That doesn't make much sense to me" on your last post but before that you said that "Dragons need support from their Union ". So you said the Dragons not the regions need help form the WRU and I said the Regions . so actually I wasn't repeating what you said to me.
Also not sure why you're taking a cheap shots at the Scarlets by stating all their bad game this season but seem to miss out the on good games they have won this season like doing the double over both Munster and Glasgow and our defeat over Leinster at the beginning of the season. We haven't had the best season no but we still have something to be happy about.

Stone Motif wrote:Beat me to it Rev. WRU Appleyard (pioneer of our famed prison shaming defence system) to the Job Centre is the best most we've made this season if true.

It seems very true by the looks. Just has to be discussed again. It would seem like it is the easiest decision to make though, unless 50-60 point hammerings at home are a statement of intent.

Jhamer25 wrote:
First of all look back to my original post and you will see that I never said that he would be better off at going to the blues or Scarlets because they will be more competitive. I said it would be unfair on the Dragons if he went to one of those 2 team . I said and I quote "he deserves to be in a better, more competitive team". Did I say that was the Blues or Scarlets? No
You combined two completely different sentences.

But it's what you clearly wrote. If you wasn't referring to those teams then that was quite unclear because of your post.

And you quoted " Blues? They get 100 points put on them every time they play Leinster" didn't state you were adding them up now did you.

I cleared this up for you. Need I really do that again? Because it was sent through in clear English.

Secondly how am I taking cheap shots what I say is true. yes The Scarlet have lost North but we have more and have kept more of them than the Dragons. They should be able to keep their 3 international because they have less international than the other regions and can't keep them even though the ospreys keep the likes of adam jones, alyn wyn jones, Hibbard, Ian evans, Justing Tipuric Dan Bigger and they are given the same amount of money by the WRU than that's given with the Dragons. I'm not having a go at the dragons because I wan them to do good, but i'm just sating the obvious which by the looks you can't see.

This is your most clueless statement. I didn't get your original point and I still don't. I didn't mention North or any other teams losing players. Without money though the Dragons won't keep them, because Dragons don't get handouts from the WRU (even though Dregs should seeing as they're 50% owned), and they don't have any investors like the Ospreys or Blues have had. That in contrast with a clueless and unambitious coach would obviously make it difficult to hold on to players.

Then finally you said "going on to conclude with what I've just said to you. That doesn't make much sense to me" on your last post but before that you said that "Dragons need support from their Union ". So you said the Dragons not the regions need help form the WRU and I said the Regions . so actually I wasn't repeating what you said to me.

Are you really this dull? I said the 50% union owned Dragons need help from the WRU just like the Scarlets and Blues, who are other Regions. I compared them because they have and may find themselves to be in a similar situation.

Also not sure why you're taking a cheap shots at the Scarlets by stating all their bad game this season but seem to miss out the on good games they have won this season like doing the double over both Munster and Glasgow and our defeat over Leinster at the beginning of the season. We haven't had the best season no but we still have something to be happy about.

I'm not, I'm just making it clear that they haven't been competitive. Reaching the play-offs just papered over some cracks. It's quite surprising to me actually because they have a very good squad. If I was a Scarlet I wouldn't be happy with the past few seasons at all.

I think this is a club signing rather than a regional signing. However, I think he could be an asset and a competitor for a starting berth at the Scarlets next year and therefore I want to mention that Carmarthen Quins RFC have signed Rhys Williams from Nevers in France. He's an ex-Llandovery RFC/Scarlets Academy player and has been playing professional rugby. I feel happy to see a WQ player from abroad coming back to Wales, rather than the other way around. I think he'll be a direct replacement for Rheon James, who I think has gone in the wrong direction, he has left Wales to play professional rugby for the Cornish Pirates in England.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Williams-Wales-Carmarthen-Quins-swoop-centre/story-19131651-detail/story.html#axzz2VFLakOcN