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

My understanding is that the regions can't sign anyone without the WRU's say-so. I doubt the Scarlets would announce a signing if they hadn't run it past the WRU first, so presumably they've approved it.

They must know McGog is going to come in for some criticism to keep referring to him in the article. Big mistake considering him a joint captain option.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:My understanding is that the regions can't sign anyone without the WRU's say-so. I doubt the Scarlets would announce a signing if they hadn't run it past the WRU first, so presumably they've approved it.

They aren't allowed to sell them without WRU approval either are they?

I'm not sure about that. That's not to say I'm 100% sure about them needing WRU permission for every signing.

Interesting I guess, never seen him play or heard of him before people were talking about him on here. Will be interested to see what he offers because some people on here have been impressed and i hope he does do well for us.
The article doesn't really make it clear as of when he will arrive, does it mean during the first month of the Rabo.

nigel short scarlets chairman said there's ways around the nwq limit (said it was too complex to explain) one guess was manu and timani were going to be registered to quins/RFC.

but yeah looks like climo has signed......haven't identified an 8 of yet. guess we will look at the currie cup & ITM and see if anyone impresses and available.

Isn't there a way around the number of NWQ players linked to "project" players. If so Only Berkley, Manu and Timani (I think) have been capped, so; Earl, Snyman, Adrianse and Climo can qualify for Wales on residency grounds. Earls (again I believe) is already qualified.

I also think there may be some European employment rule under which Berkley could be excluded from any NWQ limit.

You can't blame the regional sides for recruiting overseas players who are available all season long rather than Welsh squad players who may only play 12 matches and demand higher salaries. The way around this is simple, the WRU could increase funding by say £1M per season in exchange for reducing NWQ recruitment and keeping players such as North, Roberts and Lydiate in Wales.

Oh I didn't know that, but I doubt we would be able to sign another NWQ player to cover 8. Surly we would have to look for a welsh qualified 8.

Seagultaf wrote:Isn't there a way around the number of NWQ players linked to "project" players. If so Only Berkley, Manu and Timani (I think) have been capped, so; Earl, Snyman, Adrianse and Climo can qualify for Wales on residency grounds. Earls (again I believe) is already qualified.

I also think there may be some European employment rule under which Berkley could be excluded from any NWQ limit.

You can't blame the regional sides for recruiting overseas players who are available all season long rather than Welsh squad players who may only play 12 matches and demand higher salaries. The way around this is simple, the WRU could increase funding by say £1M per season in exchange for reducing NWQ recruitment and keeping players such as North, Roberts and Lydiate in Wales.

George Earle is Welsh Qualified? Are you sure you don't mean Jake Ball?

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/principalitypremiership/27928.php#.UheNQNaPVSQ wrote:Cross Keys have pulled off a coup ahead of the new season by signing former Wales international Morgan Stoddart as backs coach.

Morgan Stoddart has signed for Cross Keys as coach. He is the second Scarlets winger to retire through injury in recent years after Scarlets Mark Jones retired by knee injury* in 2010. Mark Jones is only 33 and Morgan Stoddart is only 28, so I think both of them could have been wing options for the Scarlets for this season if it wasn't for their injuries. Not only have the Scarlets recently lost 2 good wingers (George North and Andy Fenby) to, so called, financially 'parasitic' English clubs, they have also recently lost 2 good wingers to injury.

'Luckily', the Scarlets seem well covered on the wings for the 2013/2014 season; Kyle Evans, Liam Williams, Jordan Williams, Frazier Climo, Gareth Maule, Aaron Warren, Dion Jones, Rob Stevenson, Kristian Phillips, Nick Reynolds, Iolo Evans (?), Chris Knight, Dylan Morgans (?) and others options there.

*http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/wales-winger-mark-jones-forced-2747717

international197 wrote:
Mark Jones is only 33 and Morgan Stoddart is only 28, so I think both of them could have been wing options for the Scarlets for this season if it wasn't for their injuries.

Hahaha.

Good to see the return of the list as well.

Scarlets are really going to struggle. The side isn't poor, it's just very average.

The new kit is horrible as well.

international197 wrote:

Seagultaf wrote:Isn't there a way around the number of NWQ players linked to "project" players. If so Only Berkley, Manu and Timani (I think) have been capped, so; Earl, Snyman, Adrianse and Climo can qualify for Wales on residency grounds. Earls (again I believe) is already qualified.

I also think there may be some European employment rule under which Berkley could be excluded from any NWQ limit.

You can't blame the regional sides for recruiting overseas players who are available all season long rather than Welsh squad players who may only play 12 matches and demand higher salaries. The way around this is simple, the WRU could increase funding by say £1M per season in exchange for reducing NWQ recruitment and keeping players such as North, Roberts and Lydiate in Wales.

George Earle is Welsh Qualified? Are you sure you don't mean Jake Ball?

Absolutely correct, I clearly need to read what I type, Ball is who I meant!

Can anyone cast any light on how the NWQ quota works, because there clearly appears to be some confusion on "project players" and other issues. Can an European citizen be excluded from a job (professional rugby player) because he is not Welsh?

Ian Gough has left the Ospreys.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ian-gough-leaves-ospreys-after-5841985 wrote:Ian Gough leaves Ospreys after contract terminated by mutual consent
The veteran second row has left the Welsh region ahead of the new season after six years at the Liberty Stadium

Didn't see this coming. Luckily, the Ospreys are well covered at second row with the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Jack Jones, James King, Rhodri Hughes, Ryan Jones, Sam Williams, Lloyd Peers and others available to play at lock for them this season.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30579 wrote:Rugby Operations Manager, Andy Lloyd, commented:

“Ian has been a tremendous servant to the region since signing in 2007, on and off the field, never giving anything less than 100 per cent to the Ospreys. Not only as he worn the jersey with pride, he’s given his time to work with the next generation as a coach with the U16s and U18s to help develop some of the young second rows that are now coming through the system.

"Second row is a position where we are fortunate to boast considerable strength in depth, with Ian playing a large part in that thanks to his efforts off the field with the younger players coming through. As such, and in respect of the outstanding service he has given to this region, it makes sense for us to reach an agreement that will allow him to undertake fresh challenges."

“He leaves us with the best wishes of everybody at the Ospreys, with thanks for his services and with good luck for the future.”

Seagul - If they are unable to play for Wales as of this second then they are NWQ, so Earle, Adriaanse, Snyman, Timani, Manu & Climo are all NWQ, however (assume we have exactly the same squad), our NWQs in two years time would be Timani and Manu as the others would be time server.


International - you beat me to that. Its not a major shock that Gough has gone, it will be interesting to see how long it takes before he is involved in the Dragons set up somewhere, either as a player, or youth coach etc.

So there's no news as to what his plans are now? We could do with him over at Rodney Parade after Muller's deal fell through.

Knowing Goughy, he'll be having a few weeks off on the pish. Playing-wise, how long do you think he has left?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seagul - If they are unable to play for Wales as of this second then they are NWQ, so Earle, Adriaanse, Snyman, Timani, Manu & Climo are all NWQ, however (assume we have exactly the same squad), our NWQs in two years time would be Timani and Manu as the others would be time server.


International - you beat me to that.  Its not a major shock that Gough has gone, it will be interesting to see how long it takes before he is involved in the Dragons set up somewhere, either as a player, or youth coach etc.

I assume you are saying that the "project player" option no longer applies, I believe this was the ruse used by Cardiff a few seasons ago when they had 8 non Welsh players. If that is the case then the Scarlets with the 6 NWQ players you name plus Barkley are now over the 6 NWQ limit agreed with the WRU as part of the funding agreement, didn't it also have something about numbers of Welsh qualified players in the match day squad also?

Will this affect their funding?
Are they setting out to challenge the WRU?
Have they negotiated an increase to the NWQ quota?

Seagul - yeah, sorry that was basically me being very long winded in order to say that there is no longer an allowance for time-serving players. (also christ knows how I forgot Barclay). I believe Nigel Short was asked about the whole NWQ limit and he said he could spent forever trying to explain it and we would still end up being confused.

I know there are certain times the WRU will allow dispensation for a region to sign an extra NWQ. The Ospreys managed to get Ricky February to come, even though they had their limit of 8 NWQ already, on the grounds that they were short on reliable scrum halves (Phillips & Nutbrown out injured). So it is not beyond the realms of possiblilty the WRU have allowed us to get Climo on the grounds of the North poop storm between us meaning we are low on realiable wing options and also the fact we have limited reliable kicking options. But in the end ofthe day the WRU need to agree to any signings made by the regions, so it is not like we are trying to sneak him in on the sly. Well unless we have doctored his passport to say he was born in Pontyberam

I don't see how that's fair, SS. A couple of seasons ago we had a load of inuries so we called up players from Premiership clubs within the region (mainly Cross Keys). Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I don't see how that's fair, SS. A couple of seasons ago we had a load of inuries so we called up players from Premiership clubs within the region (mainly Cross Keys). Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

Yeah that is how it should work. Remember the Scarlets HEC tighthead crisis when we were down to only one recognised tighthead, and if he got injured it would have been a 14 man team with uncontested scrums. We just soldiered on as that was how things were meant to work. However, there are ticks and ways around things, and it looks like the current chiefs at PYS are willing to see what they can do to gain the most of these work-arounds, just like most sensible (and devious to hell) business men would.

I do think something should be done amongst the regions to bring in some form of loan system, so that the regions can plug any mid-season injury gaps with decent quality welsh talent. I am not talking about Priestland being injured and then the Scarlets trying to poach Biggar, but more like if Priestland, Shingler and Thomas are injured the Scarlets being able to loan Lewis Robling or Sam Davies (3rd or 4th choices).

I like the sound of that. The young up-and-coming players would rather be playing than sitting on the bench or in the stands.

Mike Poole to Scarlets/Wales Sevens

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/10730922.Ex_Dragons_favourite_Mike_Poole_signs_for_Scarlets_and_Wales_Sevens/

I didn't even know it had been confirmed we'd let him go. It's a shame and I hope he doesn't hold it against the Dragons, but more importantly I hope he stays injury free and the Scarlets / Wales Sevens get the best of him. He's fearless.

The Scarlets haven't even put it up on their site, so I guess he will hardly get any time at all, and it will be more of training with us when the 7s are not being played, a bit like Gomer-Davies, Kingsley's lad and a few other have done in the last few seasons.

played with him for cardiff at age grade, he was a fly half then and about 5 ft 1. Great sidestep on him and agree about the fearless aspect. Just needs to avoid injuries.