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

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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

I hope Goughy is ok then. He is a great player and after last years Heineken cup, proved he still has fuel left in the tank. He would be great for the Dragons for a seaos or 2.
Shame about Muller, i would like to know why the deal fell through. Maybe Kingsley didn't think that much of him?
Ian to Dragons will never happen either sorry.

Impossible Standards wrote:Great news on Toby staying. Ian Gough was due to join Dragons but after a health check it was decided to put the move on hold. Muller has signed for the Lions who are back into the S15.

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/sa-rugby/news/130805/And_now_the_Kings_exodus_begins

So now we don't have a lock joining the dragons and Ian Evans who worked under Lyn before is out of contract do you think he may make a move?

Ian Evans is not out of contract.

Welsh Magician wrote:

Impossible Standards wrote:Great news on Toby staying. Ian Gough was due to join Dragons but after a health check it was decided to put the move on hold. Muller has signed for the Lions who are back into the S15.

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/sa-rugby/news/130805/And_now_the_Kings_exodus_begins

So now we don't have a lock joining the dragons and Ian Evans who worked under Lyn before is out of contract do you think he may make a move?

Ian Evans is not out of contract.

Yes you are right i think Ian Evans has a year extension.

It no seems that Climo won't be available until November, after the ITM Cup. Some journalists seem to think we've switched our attention to Albert Nikoro of the Blues. Not sure how much truth is in it, as we seem to be linked to so many players recently.

Surely Climo is a better option given his boot? Be nice to hear something confirmed soon though.

I won't believe any rumor anymore and i would believe we have signed a player until it has been officially announced by the Scarlet's. The best thing to do is wait (sadly because it's killing me).

Jhamer25 wrote:I won't believe any rumor anymore and i would believe we have signed a player until it has been officially announced by the Scarlet's. The best thing to do is wait (sadly because it's killing me).

well the new kit launch is on tuesday, so can't see any new players until then. looks like if we are going to sign players it won't be until after the ITM/ Currie Cup are over (oct/nov) similar to the snyman & adriaanse deals last season.

The strategy of waiting until the Autumn until they made any signings was forced on the Scarlets last season as the WRU wanted them to keep space in their squad for the Ospreys players who would be out of a job had the Ospreys gone bust. This really messed up the Scarlets season as it took a significant part of the season to blend the new players into the team by which their season was pretty much over. Ultimately a good run at the end of the season saw them get into the Rabo play offs and finish as top Welsh region. Had the squad been assembled at the start of the season and with the back line they has last season they could have done much better.

Looks like we have dropped out of the hunt for a number 8, and after watching the game on Sat that is a bit of a concern. Timani didn't look up to standards at all, his work around the field was far from his usually style, he was even carrying to high into contact etc. That said Price did pretty well at the start, so I guess we will see who gets feilded there next week and how they go, but it is a bit concerning. What is weird is that we are still in the hunt for wingers, even though they all looked acceptable (well compared to the 8 situation, we look blessed with wingers).

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Scarlets-hunt-reinforcements-Simon-Easterby/story-19676759-detail/story.html

What did you make of the game on Saturday, Spidey? Not ideal conditions, and obvs two teams feeling their way into the new season, but any strong performances from Exe players that caught your eye?

The match was pretty standard pre-season mess IMO.  The playing quarters killed the Scarlets momentum in the first half and the constant player rotation killed anything in the second half.

For Cheifs I was a bit disappointed with Thom James, I expected him to be more involved but hardly noticed him.  But to be fair nobody really stood out for either side, it was just too scrappy.  Oh Damien Welch stood out, but that could just be because I was watching out for him (that and he scored )

Absolutely ridiculous, what are they all thinking?
Our main weakness coming into the season was 8, yes wing isn't that strong either but 8 is much more important.
All these months of speculation and them telling us that we we were in the market for an 8 and now f**k all has happened and it's pi$$ed me right off.
I hope that this comes back to bite us on the arse because they are that thick they can't even see that not having an out and out experienced 8 is having on us.
I expect now that Rob will sty 8 all season and as captain.
All in all we have haven't really strengthened our team apart from 7, Our back 3 is much weaker than last year and no change at 8.
Well done, i'm looking forward to another season without winning anything

You'll prob beat us...again

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Honeslty I do believe we will struggle this season. Our squad does look slightly weaker than last season and both The Dragons and Blues have recruited very well. Obviously I hope we do beat you but you will be a much stronger team and will give us a good run for our money.

Jhamer25 wrote:

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Honeslty I do believe we will struggle this season. Our squad does look slightly weaker than last season and both The Dragons and Blues have recruited very well. Obviously I hope we do beat you but you will be a much stronger team and will give us a good run for our money.

We'll balls it up somehow  

Not sure the Scarlets are in that bad a position going forward, and I really can't buy into all this "We're doomed" bollix that is being spouted about us. Our starting pack is in a better position that it was going into the start of last season, not only with the inclusion of Barclay, but the fact we have Adriaanse and Snyman with us for the start of the season fit (unlike last year when they came in November knackered from a long season).

We have lost George and Fenners in the back line which is a real loss, but the other way of looking at it is that we will most likely now feild Sanjay on the wing and either Owen or McShingler at fullback, which means we have a kicker on the feild. Seeing as that will relieve pressure on Priestland that is a positive. And Jordan look very good versus Connacht last season (scoring a few tries and setting up some too), and seemed solid enough against big lads this weekend.

Realistically looking at the other regions, whilst they have signed better players, there are still areas that I think can/will be targetted. The Dragons still look a bit old in the boiler house, the Ospreys have a possible weakness at scrum half and in the centre, and the Blues have IMO limited options in the backs.

Jhamer25 wrote:

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Blues have recruited very well.

Tell that to our 1 flyhalf...

wales606 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Blues have recruited very well.  

Tell that to our 1 flyhalf...

How about we send you on of our 6 fly halves and you send us one of your number 8s?

That must be slightly concerning 606. You can't have Tovey back ! Maybe Laurell and Hardy should've treated Gavlar a bit better  

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Blues have recruited very well.  

Tell that to our 1 flyhalf...

How about we send you on of our 6 fly halves and you send us one of your number 8s?

Good idea, Aled Thomas for Robin Copeland:D

Yes you do have Patchell but i've watched Gareth Davies before and he is a descent player mind. You never know you could still be lookign for a 10 as they said they are still in the market. Or they could be lying to you like the scarlet's coached and recruiters did tou us

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Not sure the Scarlets are in that bad a position going forward, and I really can't buy into all this "We're doomed" bollix that is being spouted about us.  Our starting pack is in a better position that it was going into the start of last season, not only with the inclusion of Barclay, but the fact we have Adriaanse and Snyman with us for the start of the season fit (unlike last year when they came in November knackered from a long season).

We have lost George and Fenners in the back line which is a real loss, but the other way of looking at it is that we will most likely now feild Sanjay on the wing and either Owen or McShingler at fullback, which means we have a kicker on the feild.  Seeing as that will relieve pressure on Priestland that is a positive.  And Jordan look very good versus Connacht last season (scoring a few tries and setting up some too), and seemed solid enough against big lads this weekend.

Realistically looking at the other regions, whilst they have signed better players, there are still areas that I think can/will be targetted.  The Dragons still look a bit old in the boiler house, the Ospreys have a possible weakness at scrum half and in the centre, and the Blues have IMO limited options in the backs.

You are right in what you say but i'm also looking at it from another angle. By that i mean i'm looking at the other teams in this year Rabo campaign and there are still top teams like Ospreys, Ulster and Leinster. Then there is much stronger Munster, Dragons and Blues teams and always improving Treviso who year after year have gotten stronger.
Our team hasn't lost much but we haven't really got stronger have we and to me we have lost some depth in Fenby, George, Owen, Knoyle, Rees, Jedward and we don't even have an 8 in Murphy anymore. The Rabo is getting a lot harder and i just feel we aren't getting a better team. I pray i am wrong and that pure form and talent will get us into the top 4, but untill I have watched a string of successful games; my mind is made up.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Blues have recruited very well.  

Tell that to our 1 flyhalf...

How about we send you on of our 6 fly halves and you send us one of your number 8s?

Technically we don't have any no8s

Pretorious is a 6
Hamilton seems to play 6 more often than 8
and Copeland was signed as a 4/5/6

Copeland is the only one capable of playing as a proper 8 IMO

wales606 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

munkian wrote:You'll prob beat us...again

Blues have recruited very well.  

Tell that to our 1 flyhalf...

How about we send you on of our 6 fly halves and you send us one of your number 8s?

Technically we don't have any no8s

Pretorious is a 6
Hamilton seems to play 6 more often than 8
and Copeland was signed as a 4/5/6

Copeland is the only one capable of playing as a proper 8 IMO

Yes but at least you have that, we don't. Literally nothing.
Pretorious has always been versatile and played both 6 and 8. Also Copeland also has the skill set and strength to be an 8.

1 proper no8
1 proper no10
3 wingers (2 international call ups)
3 inexperienced promising centres and 2 experienced rubbish centres
1 good LHP (who will be injured/international all year)

......

As least we have 3 good fullbacks...

lets lay it out huh:
Scarlets best 15:                        Cardiff best 15:
1. Rob Evans          VS                1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Ken Owens         VS                2. Matthew Rees
3. Samson Lee        VS                3. Scott Andrews
4. Joe Snyman        VS                4. Filo Paulo
5. George Earle       VS                5. Bradley Davies
6. Aaron Shingler     VS                6. Robin Copeland
7. John Barclay       VS                7. Sam Warburton
8. Rob Mccusker     VS                 8. Pretrious

9. Aled Davies         VS               9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Priestland   VS              10. Rhys Patchell
11. Sanjay              VS              11. Cuthbert
12. Scott Williams    VS               12. Cory Allen
13. John Davies       VS               13. Owen Williams
14. Jordan Williams   VS               14. Harry Robinson
15. Gareth Owen      VS              15. Leigh Halfpenny

Those 2 team look very strong right but as you said above, our depth in both teams doesn't look  very good. I mean our depth at 9, 10 and looshead is better. However you have one of the best loos heads in the world their. You have far more depth on the wings and fullback.
At full strength out 2 sides look very strong but as we all know those 2 teams wont stay the same with call ups and injuries.

The Blues would have Navidi at 6 with Pretorious on the bench, and Robinson and Cuthbert reversed.

The Scarlets have surely got to keep Liam Williams at 15 if Owen is the only other alternative? 2 Fullbacks on the wing and a centre at fullback isn't a great idea. The Scarlets really do need a few wingers.


It will all come down to coping with injuries and without internationals though - and at the moment, neither side has the required depth to challenge - and both could be competing to stay above the Dragons (who have recruited well and could well go on a run if they don't pick up many injuries).

It will be an interesting season - the Blues have started off well at least.

I agree that Sanjay's best position is 15, so I expect to see revolving doors Phillips as a regular choice this season.

Not a bad side apart from that and loose head prop where Evans was behind Phil John and Rhodri last season.

When you compare the strength the Scarlet's have had in the back three in recent seasons with North Stoddard, Lamont, Dan Evans and Fenby, they look very weak now, in an area where they have traditionally been strong.

wales606 wrote:The Blues would have Navidi at 6 with Pretorious on the bench, and Robinson and Cuthbert reversed.

The Scarlets have surely got to keep Liam Williams at 15 if Owen is the only other alternative? 2 Fullbacks on the wing and a centre at fullback isn't a great idea. The Scarlets really do need a few wingers.


It will all come down to coping with injuries and without internationals though - and at the moment, neither side has the required depth to challenge - and both could be competing to stay above the Dragons (who have recruited well and could well go on a run if they don't pick up many injuries).

It will be an interesting season - the Blues have started off well at least.

You think. Personally i would rather both Copeland and Pretorious for ball carrying options. This is our dillema at the moment, i would rather 3 fullbacks as our back 3 than a winger who can't tackle and another 3 who have never played at this level before. That Scarlet team would be my team for the Heineken Cup games. It would be a risk but Gareth Owen is a descent Kicker along with Jordan who also also has the ability to break a line form nothing. Then Sanjay has to be on the pitch whether fullback or wing because he just puts everything into every game. We need to bleed the likes of Kyle Evans, Chris Knight and Aaron Warren into the big games by plaything them in the smaller Rabo matches like Connacht and Zebra and then LV games.
Argee with you about the Dragons, they seem to be more stable behind closed doors because I hear last season people weren't getting on (coaches and board mebers) they will have a bit more experience and have promising young players like Hallom amos, Dixon, Wayne Evans, Adam Hughes and Nic Cudd showing what they are worth.
Both us and the Blue shave good teams and on our day we can beat you, on your day you can easily beat us. Just wait and see what happens I guess.

Jhamer25 wrote:lets lay it out huh:
Scarlets best 15:                        Cardiff best 15:
1. Rob Evans          VS                1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Ken Owens         VS                2. Matthew Rees
3. Samson Lee        VS                3. Scott Andrews
4. Joe Snyman        VS                4. Filo Paulo
5. George Earle       VS                5. Bradley Davies
6. Aaron Shingler     VS                6. Robin Copeland
7. John Barclay       VS                7. Sam Warburton
8. Rob Mccusker     VS                 8. Pretrious

9. Aled Davies         VS               9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Priestland   VS              10. Rhys Patchell
11. Sanjay              VS              11. Cuthbert
12. Scott Williams    VS               12. Cory Allen
13. John Davies       VS               13. Owen Williams
14. Jordan Williams   VS               14. Harry Robinson
15. Gareth Owen      VS              15. Leigh Halfpenny

Those 2 team look very strong right but as you said above, our depth in both teams doesn't look  very good. I mean our depth at 9, 10 and looshead is better. However you have one of the best loos heads in the world their. You have far more depth on the wings and fullback.
At full strength out 2 sides look very strong but as we all know those 2 teams wont stay the same with call ups and injuries.

If that's your best 8 and 9 at Scarlets then you won't be up to much this coming season. I'd also consider a different centre partnership, something with variety, because Williams and Davies together are a non-existent attacking threat.

Seagultaf wrote:I agree that Sanjay's best position is 15, so I expect to see revolving doors Phillips as a regular choice this season.

Not a bad side apart from that and loose head prop where Evans was behind Phil John and Rhodri last season.

When you compare the strength the Scarlet's have had in the back three in recent seasons with North Stoddard, Lamont, Dan Evans and Fenby, they look very weak now, in an area where they have traditionally been strong.

Personally i put Rob there because he would be my first choice. I hope he does prove himself and does make himself first choice. To me he is a much stronger scrummager than both Rhodri and Phil. Is a better ball carrier than Phil and along with Rhodri has a great work rate. Apparently Rob was very good agaisnt Exeter and i hope he has a few more run of games to show the coaches he is our best loosehead.
For me he and Rhodri should be fighting it out for the number 1 jersey but for me Rob is the easy choice. Phil John should just be a back of for our back up. Rob was injured for the start of the season last year and only had 1 game of the bench i believe against Sale Sharks where he came on and absolutely destroyed England's current new promising tight head Henry Thomas. Rob made him look like an absolute amateur
I know Sanjay is better at 15 but there is no way on this earth that I would put Kritian Phillips and a Heineken Cup game against he likes of Ugo Monye and and Nalaga.

LordDowlais wrote:Poiden you were slow with this one, I was just talking to Jack Jones's farther and he has told me that Jack has been given a three year contract from the Ospreys, well done Jack. Let's hope that Ianto and Alyn bring him on up to their standards.

Two years, not three years.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Jack-Jones-signs-professional-contract-Ospreys/story-19681355-detail/story.html#axzz2cgffYBs4

The Ospreys seem to have an abundance of WQ second row options in their squad for the 2013/2014 season; Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Lloyd Peers, Ryan Jones, Sam Williams, Rhodri Hughes, Jack Jones and James King.

international197 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Poiden you were slow with this one, I was just talking to Jack Jones's farther and he has told me that Jack has been given a three year contract from the Ospreys, well done Jack. Let's hope that Ianto and Alyn bring him on up to their standards.

Two years, not three years.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Jack-Jones-signs-professional-contract-Ospreys/story-19681355-detail/story.html#axzz2cgffYBs4

The Ospreys seem to have an abundance of WQ second row options in their squad for the 2013/2014 season; Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Lloyd Peers, Ryan Jones, Sam Williams, Rhodri Hughes, Jack Jones and James King.

That's too many 2nd rows. A few will leave due to lack of game time, probably for abroad or England, as they'll see the Dragons, for example, as a step down. The Dragons will therefore be forced to look outside Wales for quality alternatives. That's my prediction.

international197 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Poiden you were slow with this one, I was just talking to Jack Jones's farther and he has told me that Jack has been given a three year contract from the Ospreys, well done Jack. Let's hope that Ianto and Alyn bring him on up to their standards.

Two years, not three years.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Jack-Jones-signs-professional-contract-Ospreys/story-19681355-detail/story.html#axzz2cgffYBs4

The Ospreys seem to have an abundance of WQ second row options in their squad for the 2013/2014 season; Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Lloyd Peers, Ryan Jones, Sam Williams, Rhodri Hughes, Jack Jones and James King.

Surely Ian Gough is keeping these youngsters out of the team going by your hypothesis?

Griff wrote:That's too many 2nd rows. A few will leave due to lack of game time, probably for abroad or England, as they'll see the Dragons, for example, as a step down. The Dragons will therefore be forced to look outside Wales for quality alternatives. That's my prediction..

I think England is abroad. I disagree with your prediction; I think these players will stay in Wales.

The Saint wrote:Surely Ian Gough is keeping these youngsters out of the team going by your hypothesis? .

I think if he trains well and gets selected in front of 'these youngsters' then obviously he is 'keeping' them 'out of the team'. However, would Gough playing well and reguraly winning the competition for places, against younger opposition, for the second row berth at the Ospreys, be bad for Wales this season? If he's playing well; Ian Gough hasn't retired from international selection, as far as I know, and I believe he could be useful for the Welsh Male Seniors National Rugby Union Team this season, if he's playing well and is was wanted by its selectors, as well as if the other second rows at the Ospreys were playing well and if they were wanted by Wales' selectors.

NWQ coming in probably aren't in contention for international selection, like Gough. However most are brought in to strengthen the squad. According to you, both Gough and NWQ players would be keeping the amazing premiership players out of the team, yet you don't whinge about Gough?

I had that argument with Allty a month or two ago, Saint. I got nowhere.

The Saint wrote:NWQ coming in probably aren't in contention for international selection, like Gough. However most are brought in to strengthen the squad. According to you, both Gough and NWQ players would be keeping the amazing premiership players out of the team, yet you don't whinge about Gough?

If a player is NWQ, he can't play for Wales.

Gough is WQ, which makes him able to play for Wales.

I believe the competition for places is intense; Ian Gough has the likes of Jack Jones, Rhodri Hughes, Sam Williams, James King, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans and Lloyd Peers to compete against for a place in the Ospreys boiler room this season. None of those players are guranteed their starting places IMO, and the 'best' combinations will change from game to game as the season progresses.

But the thing is though, he won't. He isn't even starting for the Ospreys. He wasn't called for when we had four 2nd rows injured; with all of that in mind you should know that it puts Goughy in the same boat as a NWQ player.

Ian Gough is WQ; he can't be 'in the same boat as a NWQ player' IMO, because a WQ player is able to represent Wales, whereas a NWQ is not able to represent Wales.

You will have the same arguement with any anti-nwq posters, and the arguement will go in circles until you are throwing the pc's monitor out of the window, and likewise for them they will never understand why we are so blinkered not to see the world from their view point.

I think anyone who is in favour of NWQ playing in Wales is the blinkered one.

international197 wrote:Ian Gough is WQ; he can't be 'in the same boat as a NWQ player' IMO, because a WQ player is able to represent Wales, whereas a NWQ is not able to represent Wales.

Neither would represent Wales. Gough wasn't called for when we had four 2nd rows out injured.

international197 wrote:I think anyone who is in favour of NWQ playing in Wales is the blinkered one.

Point made, well done  

Guys, just try and remember that Pioden has done a good job on keeping us updated on player movements over the close season, and lets try not to drag this into the whole Welsh Purity Vrs Overseas Invaders nonesence. If you need to do that please feel free to start a thread bout it rather than dragging this one down (Again)

The Saint wrote:Neither would represent Wales. Gough wasn't called for when we had four 2nd rows out injured.

Olly Kohn was called up for the 2013 Six Nations, and now he has retired, so there may be room for Gough this season, depending on how he performs, I suspect.

Anyway, calls change and coaches's selections changes, and their opinions about players change; maybe he [Gough] was out of favour with the Wales selectors last season but I think he could be selected for Wales this season, if he plays well and wins the competition for places at the Ospreys, maybe he'll be first choice second row for Wales this season.

international197 wrote:

The Saint wrote:Neither would represent Wales. Gough wasn't called for when we had four 2nd rows out injured.

Olly Kohn was called up for the 2013 Six Nations, and now he has retired, so there may be room for Gough this season, depending on how he performs, I suspect.

Anyway, calls change and coaches's selections changes, and their opinions about players change; maybe he [Gough] was out of favour with the Wales selectors last season but I think he could be selected for Wales this season, if he plays well and wins the competition for places at the Ospreys, maybe he'll be first choice second row for Wales this season.

How do you think that before a blydi ball has been kicked? I think they would consider AWJ, Evans, R.Jones, Peers and King at 2nd row before Goughy, as they did last season.

I wouldn't hesitate in putting Gough for back up but it will never happen now. He is 36 and Gatland won't really want to bring him back now with us looking towards the world cup.
He is still a great player though, in last years Heineken Cup he was the Ospreys enforcer with both Alyn Wyn and Ian out. He still proved to me he can still step up at a high level. But I highly doubt he will ever be called back up now.
A lot of you have forgotten Luke Charteris as well mind. Yes, we did have a lock crisis last in the last Six Nations but it's not often we will have 4 leading locks out of the team. We still have Alyn, Ian, Bradley and Luke who are all capable of doing a job.
It would be nice to see 2 young locks come through now, the most promising of which are Jake Ball and Lloyd Pears. Jake Ball is one for the future and I think we need to tie him down to our union now. Again wit Lloyd Pears but both need more game time at there regions which is hard with players like Alyn, Ian, Snyman, Earle and Goughy. But the competition is healthy and lock for me is one of our strongest departments in depth. I hate it when we try to play the likes of James King, Shingler or Turnball there in international matches though.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Scarlets-snap-New-Zealand-winger-Frazier-Climo/story-19699565-detail/story.html#axzz2cmUzJOEk

Another NWQ player to the Scarlets? They already have 6, how can they sign another one?

They know they can't really, but they've done it anyway just to annoy you.

Can the WRU fine them for going over their limit? If they can, they [the Scarlets] could lose a lot of money and spiral further into debt.

international, I'm not sure if the WRU can fine the Scarlets as such but they can reduce their funding from what I can gather. I just hope they know what their doing, maybe they've found a way around it somehow?