Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

First topic message reminder :

New year, new thread, new scuttlebutt, rumour and misdirection.

Sam, how are Tigers even in the relegation zone? Way too strong to be there.

Deadline for Anscombe to sign is next week some time. His request for more money was denied, rightly so I reckon. Bath are probably out of the running now so it’s inevitable; Cardiff are also the best side in Wales according to their coach... but at the same time is begging more international players to sign for his team.

Cardiff probably still looking for a lock so they could go for Charteris on a one-year deal and do more shopping next year; or maybe try and entice David Bulbring from Scarlets - he’s South African but welsh qualified, yet too average to be an international.

mikey_dragon wrote:Sam, how are Tigers even in the relegation zone? Way too strong to be there.

That question is worthy of its own thread. Basically years of mismanagement. Too many internal coaching appointments, Cockers being appointed above his level at DOR, bringing back MOC, until three or four years ago the academy was naff and produced to few players, even when the academy did produce players we were only utilising the cream of the crop and then releasing the rest filling the squad with journeymen instead, poor choice in signings with too much spent on the backs and consistent changing of coaching methodology meaning there's no basic system for the players to fall back into.

There's a summer clearout coming. Long overdue.

Our worst fears realised as Byron Hayward is set to join the Wales coaching staff. Some good news however is that Shaun Edwards is also staying.

mikey_dragon wrote:Our worst fears realised as Byron Hayward is set to join the Wales coaching staff. Some good news however is that Shaun Edwards is also staying.

How sustainable is two defence and two attack coaches.

Not sure if there’s two attack coaches. I don’t see the point in Hayward if Edwards is babysitting him.

Not very, is the answer. The whole thing - from picking Pivac over Rennie, to then the half-bummed communication between Warren and Wayne/the changover over people like Shuan's position etc - just feels like it's the worst of both worlds. Poor stuff from the WRU really. Destabilised Scarlets' season and haen't even really prepared the team/set-up that well for post-Gatland either, as it's been a fairly clunky farewell for the Scarlets staff.

Not sure why Shaun Edwards would want to stay, other than the possibility of another Lions tour, and the prospect he's got a job for life. He's surely got clubs and countries lining up to offer him a job - not least in England.

Byron Hayward's a good coach though, don't listen to mikey's rantings. The team has put in some monumental defensive shifts that are Edwards-esque at times over the last few years. Even this season there have been one or two standout performances.

Wales do need a change, and if Pivac gets it 'right', he could be brilliant. Wales do need 'more' to their attacking game than Gatland has allowed for most of his time here, and Neil Jenkins and, in particular, SJ will be perfect at actually doing that at test level. A bit like Townsend with Scotland, but with Pivac there overseeing it all like Cotter did.

But two defensive coaches? Hmmm. Not sure about that. Could work, I genuinely don't know the intricacies of coaches in the modern game, how collaborative they are etc. Could even be a good thing, focusing on specific strengths/areas, rotating periods of pressure etc. But equally, could be messy and inconsistent.

But no worries with Hayward coming in. Another talented player who's got the assets to be a good coach. Wish more of the fairly recently retired players/first real 'pro' generation like Martyn Williams had done the same, but there we go. Peel's going well at Ulster but shows no sign of wanting to come back just yet. But need more Welsh coaches in Wales at the top level, so it's a good thing Pivac's sticking with his men: a sign that he trusts his own management skills to adapt to the circumstances as well. I do think Pivac's best assets are management - player identitification etc. - rather than a grand coaching philosophy, per se, but he should inject a bit more width in the game than Gatland has. As I said, I would have kept him at the Scarlets to make sure Wales had one properly competitive region, and we'll never know how much this season was down to the distraction taking the Wales job caused the coaching staff. But the decision's made and hopefully Mooar can come in and get up to speed with the region, and Pivac and SJ etc. adapt to international rugby, which is a whole different beast.

I imagine Shaun Edwards will do what he did in 2011 when it was announced he's leaving; the decision will change after the RWC and he'll take up a contrat elsewhere. It feels more like a transitional thing for the new coaches, passing on the baton so they get up to speed for the rest of 19/20 season, same with NJ and SJ. But he does seem to have real affection for Wales and Welsh people, and I'd happily see him stay if it can work out.

Horwell retiring from rugby at end of the season.

Pleased to say after much speculation that Gareth Anscombe has signed to play for the Ospreys next season, we only need 4 or 5 experienced NWQ players to be with us now to cover for the Internationals.

wayne wrote:Pleased to say after much speculation that Gareth Anscombe has signed to play for the Ospreys next season, we only need 4 or 5 experienced NWQ players to be with us now to cover for the Internationals.

What does that mean for Sam Davies? Wasn't that long ago he was being tipped to be the next big thing.

He's gone backwards/lost his nerve. Think he needs a strong coach/mentor figure, strikes me as the type, and the Ospreys have been rudderless for years. Rumours of a move to the Dragons. I think England would suit him: at an age where it's sink or swim now. Don't wait too long like Cuthbert, go and prove yourself at a club like Worcester and come back in 2-3 years time all the better for it.

So put your money on him signing for the Dragons...

formerly known as Sam wrote:

wayne wrote:Pleased to say after much speculation that Gareth Anscombe has signed to play for the Ospreys next season, we only need 4 or 5 experienced NWQ players to be with us now to cover for the Internationals.

What does that mean for Sam Davies? Wasn't that long ago he was being tipped to be the next big thing.

If you read the WOL or you're friends with Ospreys supporters then yeah, he was the next Dan Carter. I was surprised he got a pro contract, he was an average player in a very good U20s team. He should probably go to a team in England as none of the welsh team can afford a passenger, certainly not Dragons.

Surprised that Anscombe did join the Ospreys as they're a sinking ship. Is he showing off? Hopefully it's a sign of things to come. A couple more additions and a new coaching set-up they'll be good. A tall order as you would need a figure like Gatland to come in and sort them out.

Jarrod Evans probably as good if not better than Anscombe already, but he's a young guy so will need to share the fly-half role. If he continues the way he has been then I expect more Wales caps will come in 2020.

Perfect time for Williams to head back to Wales and take up the Cardiff 10 shirt. To complete the roundabout Davies to Glaws as Cips understudy.

Would be a good club for him. He's seen as a running 10, but his best asset is his tactical kicking in play, so would make a decent foil to Cipriani. Maybe a bit too similar though - both a bit flakey.

Not sure Owen Williams will come back to Wales. Can't see him ever threatening the 10 shirt, and he's not a very good 12, even if it looks like there's a weakness there in Wales at the moment. With the money he's earning in England it would be a strange move to make at this stage unless his heart's set on competing for a call-up.

Owen Williams left Tigers for more money and seems to have gone backward. He wouldn't get 350K in Wales (that what he's currently on right), but he would be a handy addition to Scarlets or Blues. Possibly Dragons but they would need to strengthen elsewhere first.

Can't see Owen Williams getting his rumoured salary anywhere else. Glaws overpaid and are apparently keen to get him out the budget. If he wants an international career he needs to head back to Wales. Options in England are small with Falcons or Wuss about the only ones or its France.

I wouldn't fancy him at Falcons although depending on Davies salary, he could be useful addition and have time to grow in the Championship. He plays 10 and 15 from what I recall?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Can't see Owen Williams getting his rumoured salary anywhere else. Glaws overpaid and are apparently keen to get him out the budget. If he wants an international career he needs to head back to Wales. Options in England are small with Falcons or Wuss about the only ones or its France.

Glaws even offered to fund some of his salary if someone had taken him for this season. Whether this would have allowed them to keep Billy Burns I am not sure, but they must be regretting the amount they signed him on.

Hhaha, jeez, that bad? And yet there will still be some in Wales who want him back because it's a case of the grass being greener when you don't see him play every week.

Average player in every sense. Not international quality - don't see the point in him coming back. Would be a nightmare for Pivac as WOL etc. have already made him a 'CAP HIM NOW' player. They're going to hammer Pivac from the off, particularly with the way this season has gone, and the last thing you need is a debate about Hadleigh Parkes' age/nationality, and why Owen Williams is the playmaker Wales need at 12...

Owen Williams played well at 10 for Tigers. He's found himself at a club that don't suit his style of play with a coach that prefers attacking mavericks at 10. He would have actually suited Garland's style of rugby as he's built like a flanker, whips flat passes across the backline has a cannon of a boot (likes a crossfield kick). As a replacement for Anscombe he'd be fairly like for like. Not sure about him as a 12.

He seems a bit more like-for-like with Biggar though? Except Williams is less skillful. He would be a good third or fourth choice I imagine, and even that would require injuries to some of Biggar, Anscombe, Patchell, Evans, Jones... Fly-half is starting to look like a position of strength for the first time in a while, we still don't know who the best one is (probably Biggar), and Williams coming back could increase that strength. I would prefer Owen Williams, and even Priestland to return to a Welsh team rather than someone take on passenger Davies.

On the playmaker at 12... Parkes is off the pace and probably won't be around after the world cup, but his fellow kiwi Willis Halaholo will step in. On the form McNicholl has displayed since moving here he will get capped too, and I've never been happier for us to poach players .

Happy for one of the bottom prem teams to take Sam Davies though. It can be any of them. Wuss, Newcastle, London Irish, and probably Yorkshire too strong to be in a second division.

Unlikely to be Carnegie taking on any new players. Word is they may go semi pro next season, assuming they can find the cash to fulfill their salary obligations for this season.

Bath continue to pillage London Irish's academy, this time taking Phil Cokanasiga.

Sad state of affair for Leeds. Think every/most neutrals would rather see them competing for the top tier again, rather than Ealing.

Agree...Leeds is such a catchment area for rugby. Id rather they were involved in the top flight than Ealing.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Agree...Leeds is such a catchment area for rugby. Id rather they were involved in the top flight than Ealing.

More of a League catchment area though?

Todd Blackadder off to Japan.
A bit disappointed... thought he’d make the difference..... wonder if Matsen will team up
with him out there... they work better as a pair....

Can’t see Hooper and Hatley setting the heather alight to be honest....

They need a nasty barsteward.... maybe a role for Shaun Edwards? About the only club he hasn’t been linked with...

Could combine with being Wales second defence coach without moving house

SirBurger wrote:Bath continue to pillage London Irish's academy, this time taking Phil Cokanasiga.

Shame it's not them looking at relegation ...

RiscaGame wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Agree...Leeds is such a catchment area for rugby. Id rather they were involved in the top flight than Ealing.

More of a League catchment area though?

Well that could be a good point, but there seems to be a lot of players from that area in many Prem and Championshp teams.

RiscaGame wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Agree...Leeds is such a catchment area for rugby. Id rather they were involved in the top flight than Ealing.

More of a League catchment area though?

Yorkshire are consistently strong performers at county level. Yorkshire has pretty much the same population as Scotland after all.

Rhinos are a big side in League but Union has a strong uptake throughout the county. When well funded the Carnegie academy used to fire out a production line of talent.

Fair play, more a question than anything. Cheers.

Dollar Bill wrote:Todd Blackadder off to Japan.
A bit disappointed... thought he’d make the difference..... wonder if Matsen will team up
with him out there... they work better as a pair....

Can’t see Hooper and Hatley setting the heather alight to be honest....

They need a nasty barsteward.... maybe a role for Shaun Edwards? About the only club he hasn’t been linked with...

Could combine with being Wales second defence coach without moving house

I thought that was the plan? Blackadder to ease Hooper in as his successor. Didn't Bath release a statement about this some time back?

Rees-Zammit is either another one to slip through the academy nets, or just happened to be in the right place at the right time like Moriarty.

Part of Scarlets' reason for letting Boyde go was the emergence of Dan Davis, the academy prospect who stepped up during their injury crisis. He's been rewarded with a pro contract and was probably cheap. Boyde is rumoured to be joining Cardiff. Daft move as they need that money spent elsewhere, and already have 3 very good open-sides.

mikey_dragon wrote:Rees-Zammit is either another one to slip through the academy nets, or just happened to be in the right place at the right time like Moriarty.

Us he the lad that left Cardiff to take up a place at Hartbury College and ended up in the Glaws academy as a result?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Rees-Zammit is either another one to slip through the academy nets, or just happened to be in the right place at the right time like Moriarty.

Us he the lad that left Cardiff to take up a place at Hartbury College and ended up in the Glaws academy as a result?

Yes the U18 winger that has since featured for Gloucester, wasn't it against Tigers?

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Rees-Zammit is either another one to slip through the academy nets, or just happened to be in the right place at the right time like Moriarty.

Us he the lad that left Cardiff to take up a place at Hartbury College and ended up in the Glaws academy as a result?

Yes the U18 winger that has since featured for Gloucester, wasn't it against Tigers?

We've not played Glaws recently. Just googled it and he played against Bath at the weekend as Glaws have lots of injuries in the back three. The 80 yard solo try Vs Bristol in the Prem cup was pretty good as well.

You'd assume that he's pretty good if he stepped up and played premiership rugby at 18 years old though.

mikey_dragon wrote:You'd assume that he's pretty good if he stepped up and played premiership rugby at 18 years old though.

He was playing today in the Wales U18 team that comfortably beat Scotland at Worcester. Premier Sports have been televising the competition. I have to say he did look very good, even if he did spill one over the line. Big, fast and powerful and a very good step. Looks like a pro player in the making all day long.

Will he play for England or Wales though, once you are in an English Academy, they have first dibs at you for the U20s. Scotland have lost a few recently who have played U18s but are based in England to the England U20s and you can't blame them for that. It does not stop them choosing to come back and play for another country further down the line.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Dollar Bill wrote:Todd Blackadder off to Japan.
A bit disappointed... thought he’d make the difference..... wonder if Matsen will team up
with him out there... they work better as a pair....

Can’t see Hooper and Hatley setting the heather alight to be honest....

They need a nasty barsteward.... maybe a role for Shaun Edwards? About the only club he hasn’t been linked with...

Could combine with being Wales second defence coach without moving house

I thought that was the plan? Blackadder to ease Hooper in as his successor. Didn't Bath release a statement about this some time back?

It's earlier than expected, though. I hope Hooper doesn't fall into the Martin Johnson trap. It remains frustrating that Johnson is lost to English rugby, largely as a result of being given the job too early, because he was regarded as the embodiment of rugby values.

There's a horrible history of that, isn't there. What did Brian Ashton do after he left? Andy Robinson went to Scotland, had mixed success but never really moved with the times. The Lancaster, Farrell, Rowntree etc. all move away to reignite their careers, with Ireland, Leinster, and Lions success coming to them all respectively.

If there is one clear, obvious, glaring weakness in NH rugby it's the coaching, and translating playing ability/experience in to a coaching career. Partly because it's very stressful, rugby's not like football - loads of rugby players could walk in to a well paying corporate job after they retire so don't need to stay around the game, which doesn't pay that well outside the very top jobs. I just think there's an issue of pathways - a few too many courses and qualifications than should be necessary. Those aren't bad things, and are great at topping up experience - but there should be a basic level of understanding of the actual game, and how to actually run a team, that (to me) always felt and still feels a bit absent. There isn't the confidence to allow players to express themselves on the field, so you don't get enough moving on to the world of coaching, either.

Of the current 6Ns players, I'm trying to think of people I think would make good coaches. Farrell and Sexton would be good from 'standards' pov but I think they'd suffer the Roy Keane thing, not accepting players who fell in any way short of their expectations. I think Rory Best probably would. John Barclay possibly, but maybe a bit too laid back. Laidlaw as an assistant, seems level headed/good reader of the game. It's hard to tell with backs coaches: Townsend has done well translating his style of play on to the field in terms of creativity. But it's no guarantee. Would Russell make a good coach? Hard to say. There's not many really coming to mind. BOD probably would have. Makes sense POC and ROG are doing well, think he would have been the same - has gravitas, good understanding, and actually did have that creative leadership as a player.

In Wales, I'm slightly surprised Peel's made the leap, but doing well. Less surprised about Stephen Jones, excellent reading of the game as a player. Other than than, AWJ might be decent but don't think his heart's in it whatsoever. I can see Tipuric being a great 'thinking' coach actually - not much of a talker, which might be an issue. Powelly? Ermm...But no, it genuinely seems to be players who the right amount of drive, aggression, intelligence, persistence, and teamwork who make it, with lots of hookers seemingly doing well for themselves. Cockerill. Gatland. Eddie Jones. Props, too. Dai Young. Ken Owens has something to him - not sure though, tends to lead by example and that doesn't necessarily mean great coach.

I wonder if the demands of the top level of the pro game hinders a players' chances of becoming a coach? Too intense, too demanding, too draining, too tough to either spend time preparing for a coaching role, as well as maybe alienating plaeyrs from staying in the game. I can see coaches from lower down the pecking order coming from rugby - solid clubmen etc. - but then they lack that top end experience.

Tricky one. Johnson clearly had the nous and drive to succeed - felt he was appointed for all the wrong reasons, and then given a horrible support structure than almost guaranteed failure. Whoever England go for next - and I can't see Baxter taking it now, in all honesty, unless he wins the European Cup, it feels like too much of a white whale for him and Exeter - they have to support them properly, like Ireland and Wales have done with their current coaches. Let them manifest a vision fully.

Best coaches are not usually the best players. Probably more likely to be the mid level guys who have to have relied on their brains and reading of the game to hit the top level.

Kellaway and Tuitavake to leave Saints this summer, neither has looked like cementing a place in the matchday 23 so I can see why they want to go. Saints have plenty of cover in the centres especially with Proctor arriving next year. Pity Burrell is going back to league, he was a good signing who when fit made a great foil for anyone else. Choosing from Francis, Hutchinson, Dingwall, Symonds (when fit) and Proctor is not going to be easy. Plus of course Prince Harry will be back next year.

I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he? Never really kicked on though.

propdavid_london wrote:I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he?  Never really kicked on though.

Met Neil Back at a corporate event not long back. He said he stopped coaching because it was going to take him away from where his family were settled and he wanted to spend more time at home instead of living with long commutes. He works in advertising now and does some public speaking.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he?  Never really kicked on though.

Met Neil Back at a corporate event not long back. He said he stopped coaching because it was going to take him away from where his family were settled and he wanted to spend more time at home instead of living with long commutes. He works in advertising now and does some public speaking.

He was forwards coach at Edinburgh as well, but never really got them going, certainly not in the way that Cockers has.

As has already been said, being a good player does not necessarily make you a good coach, very different skill sets.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he?  Never really kicked on though.

Met Neil Back at a corporate event not long back. He said he stopped coaching because it was going to take him away from where his family were settled and he wanted to spend more time at home instead of living with long commutes. He works in advertising now and does some public speaking.

Backs issue was he could coach but wasnt a squad builder or interested in the finances, fine if he had a hands on DoR to worry about all that but not good for smaller clubs who cant afford to pay for the two roles. Before going to Leeds he and Andy Key had been widely tipped to take over at Tigers, had they who knows how differently thingss would have panned out for all.

Neither did much after being done over by Leeds (and payed up in court, and Andy Key gettimng incducted into the premiership hall of fame just before his sacking!). Back was at Edinburgh for a bit as a forwards coach? Andy Key was at Cambridge University for a bit and I think ended up at Leicester Lions and running a pub. Given he was a hall of famer thats quite a drop.

Martin Johnson was/is a very odd charachter. I think the biggest issue for him ( aside from taking the hospital pass of leading England with zero experience) was that hes intenslely private, yet expected to be the public face of team led by a Captain who if its possible had even less charaisma and interest in public speaking. After that expereince, and especially the way the press tore at the squad during and after the world cup, and the way he'd had people sniping for him from within the RFU from day one ( even Lancaster joined in the build up to the tournament and played up the blame game on the past as much as he could to cement his caretaker role to a permanenet contract) its no wonder he hasnt wanted to go near management or coaching again. Even his media appearances have been very limited. Comnpared to how much some of his team mates cashed in on the world cup hes done very title, but thats a measure of who he is and what drove him...it wasnt a desire to be in the public arena.

BigGee wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he?  Never really kicked on though.

Met Neil Back at a corporate event not long back. He said he stopped coaching because it was going to take him away from where his family were settled and he wanted to spend more time at home instead of living with long commutes. He works in advertising now and does some public speaking.

He was forwards coach at Edinburgh as well, but never really got them going, certainly not in the way that Cockers has.

As has already been said, being a good player does not necessarily make you a good coach, very different skill sets.

Cockers has moved his family up there and committed long term to them living in Edinburgh. From what Back was saying the family stayed home and he was living part time in Edinburgh or Leeds when coaching there and then coming home when he could as he didn't want to uproot the family. Might have played a part in the relative successes. Well that and Cockers is a much better coach.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

BigGee wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he?  Never really kicked on though.

Met Neil Back at a corporate event not long back. He said he stopped coaching because it was going to take him away from where his family were settled and he wanted to spend more time at home instead of living with long commutes. He works in advertising now and does some public speaking.

He was forwards coach at Edinburgh as well, but never really got them going, certainly not in the way that Cockers has.

As has already been said, being a good player does not necessarily make you a good coach, very different skill sets.

Cockers has moved his family up there and committed long term to them living in Edinburgh. From what Back was saying the family stayed home and he was living part time in Edinburgh or Leeds when coaching there and then coming home when he could as he didn't want to uproot the family. Might have played a part in the relative successes. Well that and Cockers is a much better coach.

People often forget to consider how desirable areas are for families when debating potential moves. Edinburgh is a lovely place to live, the club have helped get Cockers kids into very good schools and he seems pretty settled.

I hope his success there continues. One consistent thing with Cockers the coach is that he seems well considered by the players that he coaches.

king_carlos wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

BigGee wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:I always thought Greenwood would have made a great coach - but he went the way of the pundit instead.
N.Back was a Leeds coach for a while wasn't he?  Never really kicked on though.

Met Neil Back at a corporate event not long back. He said he stopped coaching because it was going to take him away from where his family were settled and he wanted to spend more time at home instead of living with long commutes. He works in advertising now and does some public speaking.

He was forwards coach at Edinburgh as well, but never really got them going, certainly not in the way that Cockers has.

As has already been said, being a good player does not necessarily make you a good coach, very different skill sets.

Cockers has moved his family up there and committed long term to them living in Edinburgh. From what Back was saying the family stayed home and he was living part time in Edinburgh or Leeds when coaching there and then coming home when he could as he didn't want to uproot the family. Might have played a part in the relative successes. Well that and Cockers is a much better coach.

People often forget to consider how desirable areas are for families when debating potential moves. Edinburgh is a lovely place to live, the club have helped get Cockers kids into very good schools and he seems pretty settled.

I hope his success there continues. One consistent thing with Cockers the coach is that he seems well considered by the players that he coaches.

Doesn't matter how nice somewhere is if the person moving there has no intention of settling into the area. Hard to create a culture in a work place if you are waiting for the working day to finish in order to leave and head home.

Cockers decided to move his family up there and make that commitment. I agree with you that living in Edinburgh is hardly a bind and that the club have helped him and his family settle. Could be interesting if his son breaks through (fullback I think Cockers remarked in an interview) in a few years time. By then he'd be qualified for France, England and Scotland. Wonder where his loyalties would be.

BigGee wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:You'd assume that he's pretty good if he stepped up and played premiership rugby at 18 years old though.

He was playing today in the Wales U18 team that comfortably beat Scotland at Worcester. Premier Sports have been televising the competition. I have to say he did look very good, even if he did spill one over the line. Big, fast and powerful and a very good step. Looks like a pro player in the making all day long.

Will he play for England or Wales though, once you are in an English Academy, they have first dibs at you for the U20s. Scotland have lost a few recently who have played U18s but are based in England to the England U20s and you can't blame them for that. It does not stop them choosing to come back and play for another country further down the line.

Yeah he’s one of the future, hopefully we don’t rush him in as he will probably be spending a lot of time on the medic table. It is tempting to bring him on in, given how some of the big names in our back 3 can underperform. Luckily we have Josh Adams and Liam Williams firing.

I read an article and he’s 100% committed to Wales, even featuring for the U18s like you mentioned. I wasn’t aware that there was such a ruling in place in England, but it could explain Moriarty. Ross was also born up north which may have helped his case. A few welsh teams will be keeping him an eye on him, probably not his home region (Cardiff) though as they have a few good, young wingers.