Welsh Regions Signings/Departures/Rumours so far ( Barry Davies signs for Jersey RFC)

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Cardiff Blues

In

Jason Tovey (Newport Gwent Dragons)- Confirmed
Lou Reed (Scarlets) -Confirmed
Robin Copeland (Rotherham Titans)- Confirmed
Benoit Bourrust (Perpignan)- Confirmed
Campese Ma'afu (West Habour)-Confirmed
Andy Kyriacou (Ulster) -Confirmed
Phil Davies DOR (Worcester)- Confirmed
Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys) - Rumour
Rob Lewis (London Welsh)-confirmed





Out

Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) -Confirmed
Martyn Williams -Retiring - Confirmed
Rhys Thomas (Wasps)- Confirmed
Dan Parks (Connacht) Confirmed
Casey Laulala (Munster)- Confirmed
Deiniol Jones -Retiring -Confirmed
Paul Tito- Released - confirmed
Manna Molitika -Retiring- Confirmed
Ben Blair (Agen)- Confirmed
John Yapp (Edinburgh) Confirmed
Richie Rees (Edinburgh)-Confirmed
Ryan Tyrell (Melbourne Rebels)-Confirmed
Xavier Rush (Retiring/Defence Coach) - Confirmed


Scarlet's

In


Lewis Rawlins (Cross Keys) - Confirmed
Barry Davies ( Ospreys) - Rumour
Jason Eaton ( Hurricanes)- Rumour
Adam Byrnes ( Melbourne Rebels) -Rumour
Manuel Carizza (Biarittz)- Rumour
Kristian Phillips (Ospreys) - Confirmed
Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont Auvergne)- Rumour
Danny Wilson (Newport Dragons-forwards coach)- Confirmed
Daniel Carpo (RC Timisoara, Romania) - Rumour
Joe Tuineau (Montpellier) -Rumour
Cambell Johnstoe (Biarritz)- Rumour
George Earle ( Cheetahs) - Confirmed
Simon Easterby (New DOR) - Confirmed
Richard Kelly (Ospreys) - Confirmed
Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys) - Rumour
Gavin Henson (Unattached) - Rumour
Tomas Vallejos Cinalli (Harlequins) - Confirmed
Pat ciliers (Lions) - Rumour
Gareth Owen (Ospreys) - Confirmed
Jacobie Adriaanse (Kings) - Confirmed
Johan "Joe" Snyman (Kings) - Confirmed
Jake Ball (Western Force) - Confirmed

Out

Ben Morgan (Gloucester)- Confirmed
Steven Jones (Wasps)-Confirmed
Dominic Day (Bath) Confirmed
Lou Reed (Cardiff Blues) -Confirmed
Dan Evans ( Dragons) - confirmed
Rhys Thomas Retiring- Confirmed
Iestyn Thomas (Retiring/Dragons forwards coach) - Confirmed
Simon Gardiner- (Rotherham Titan) - Confirmed
Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) -Confirmed
Damien Welch (Exeter Chiefs)- Confirmed
Vernon Cooper (Forwards Coach) - Confirmed
Garin Jenkins (scrummaging Coach) - Confirmed
Nigel Davies (Gloucester -DOR) - Confirmed
Andy Fenby (Newcastle) - Rumour (signed new contract)
Matt Gibert - (Mogliano,Italy) - Confirmed
Liam Davies - Released - Confirmed
Mark Jones (Gloucester - Skills Coach)- Rumour
Viliame Iongi (Released/Ospreys) - Rumour
Rupert Moon (RG1404) - Confirmed


Newport Gwent Dragons

In

Dan Evan (Scarlets) -Confirmed
Peter Grant (stormers) - Rumour
Tom Prydie (Ospreys)- Confirmed
Iestyn Thomas (forwards coach/scarlets) - Confirmed
Ian Nimmo (Cornish Pirates) -Confirmed
Tim Ryan (Cavalieri Prato) - Confirmed
Rhys Downes (Pontypridd) - Confirmed
Josh Tyler (UWIC) - Confirmed
Stewart Maguire (Connacht) - Rumour
Hywel Stoddart (Newport RFC) - Confirmed
Owen Williams (Llandovery RFC) - Confirmed
Nic Cudd (Llanelli RFC) - Confirmed

Out

Jason Tovey ( Cardiff Blues)-Confirmed
Aled Brew (Biarritz)- Confirmed
Tom Willis (Retired)- Confirmed
Ben Castle (Retired)- Confirmed
Martyn Thomas (Gloucester) -confirmed
Luke Chateris (Perpignan) -Confirmed
Hugh Gustafson- Released- Not confirmed
Rhys Buckley- Released- Confirmed
Nigel Hall- Retired- Confirmed
Hugo Ellis- Released- Confirmed
James Leadbeater- Released- Confirmed
Mathew Jones (Bristol) -Confirmed
Tom Riley- (Cornish Pirates)- Confirmed
Lloyd Burns- Retired- Confirmed
Danny Wilson (Scarlets) - Confirmed
Gavin Thomas- Retired - Confirmed
Scott Morgan -Released - Confirmed
Trystan Davies (Carmarthen Quins) - Confirmed
Niall Martin (Ulster Academy) - Confirmed


Ospreys

In

Steve Tandy (Bridgend RFC)
Sam Lewis (Swansea RFC)
Sam Davies (Swansea RFC)
Shaun Connor ( Dragons - Ospreys Academy Coach)
Jonathan Spratt ( London Irish) - Confirmed


Out

Tommy Bowe (Ulster)- Confirmed
Sean Holley (Released)
Scott Johnson (SRFU)
James Goode (Newcastle Falcons)-Confirmed
Shane Williams (Mitsubishi Dynoboars )-Confimed
Huw Bennett (Lyon) -Confirmed
Nikki Walker (Worcester Warriors) -Confirmed
Dan Bigger (Racing Metro) -Rumour
Cai Griffiths (London Irish) -Confirmed
Barry Davies released - Confirmed
Chauncey O'Toole- Releases - Confirmed
Sonny Parker- (London Welsh) -Confirmed
Mefin Davies- Retiring- Not Confirmed
Tom Prydie (Dragons)- Confirmed
Will Taylor (Wasps)- Confirmed
Kristian Phillips (Scarlets) -Confirmeed
Rory Pitman (South Wales Scorpions)-Confirmed
Paul James (Bath) - Confirmed
Gareth Owen - Released - Confirmed
Stefan Watermeyer- Released - Confirmed
Craig Cross- Released - Confirmed
Dai Flanagan - Released - Confirmed

gowales wrote:It's a shame it's treated as a joke competition now. In 2007 it got a good crowd in the final at Twickenham from what i remember and also in the semi/quater final at the Millenium.

The Powergen Cup and EDF Cup were real competitions, the Welsh and English feilded proper sides and it was full blooded. But their were always embarassing loses for the English, and always a Welsh team in the final (and usually 2 int he semi) so it was bound to be doungraded as it was not making them look good.

pioden gorllewin wrote:looks like iongi will be leaving the scarlets, announcement end of this week or beginning of next.

It is a shame as he has seemed good in the appearances he has had. That said he is a short, lightweight/pacey winger/centre/fullback. We have some short lightweigth/pacey players for those positions (Lee Williams, Lee Rees, Jordan Williams), and now we have also signed Gareth Owen, who can cover the same shirts as Iongi (plus fly half), and is Welsh.

I think shown he is above Welsh Prem level, but I am not too sure he is up to first choice regional level at any of the reigons. Although he would make good international/bench cover at the Blues, or Ospreys.

Funny you mention ospreys cause thats one of the rumoured destinations for iongi.

I thought Ionghi had signed a 2 year contract or longer with us?

It'll be a shame to get rid of him, and a suprise as he was meant to be signed with a view of developing him and him improving into a very good player - as opposed to a player who can cover the internationals in a variety of positions, that he is now.

(I didn't know he could cover center either, which strengthens the reasons to keep him)

If you think of it Iongi leaving makes perfect sence he is a capped NWQ, so that would free us up to bring in another capped prop or lock (Cilliers may be capped soon), or is that wishful thinking?

Unfortunately I think that's wishful thinking - though sometimes I do allow myself to dream of 2 very good props and a very good lock coming in, including Cilliers, and for us to blow teams away with our backs play and forward power - but I think that's taking it a bit far...

It does seem strange to get rid of Iongi and bring in Phillips...

Yeah def, the only reason could be because Ionghi is NWQ but then we've only got Ionghi, Peter Edwards (who could technically be a project player even though he won't play for Wales or England), Vallejos Cinalli & Timani with Earle as a project player - that's 4 NWQ players and 1 project player, aren't you allowed 8 NWQ players plus x amount project players?

We're looking to sign 2 NWQ players, but even if we sign 3 then we'd still be under the quota.

Preist - the limit is 8 NWQs in total, and only 6 Capped NWQs. Also I think Pete the meat is either qualified, or will be before the end of the season.

I wasn't sure if Peter got discounted as he said he only wants to play for England.
Are you sure it's 8 max? The Blues had at least 9 last season (project players and capped NWQ)
Rush, Tito, Molitika, Blair, Fiilse, Pretorious, Patterson, Parks, LuaLua,

Yeah it is 8, Tito is WQ. There was talk of Gatland looking at him for the RWC (or was it 6Ns instead of Reed). So that would leave Rush, Molitika, Filise, Lualala and Parks as Capped (6) and Pretorious and Patterson (2) as qualifying.

Ahh I see, in that case then we have 3 NWQ players Ionghi, Vallejos Cinalli & Timani with 2 project players Earle & Peter Edwards as a project player

then if we sign two capped NWQ players then we still have space for another 1 more (until Peter pies is WQ)

It still seems silly to get rid of Ionghi though, especially as (I assume) he's far further down the development road than Phillips.

I am starting to get miffed now, London Welsh have managed to sign a Romanian International Tighthead and a Russia International Lock

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19192259

Why the hell can't we complete these signings AGGGGHHHHH

Now that is annoying - they seem to have played at the top level (well Bath ) and exactly the sort of signings we need - don't tell me that LW have more spending power and attractiveness than us!

Well they got Henson and we got Gareth Owen (billed as a possible Henson) so I guess they have more pull than us.

Or maybe we have more deflection power!

The Scarlets also have some very promising front row Welsh youth players so I can see why they might not want to try and encourage NWQ players.

Yes but we need some players to cover when our young Welsh players are away with Wales - we'll be missing North and Liam Williams for most of the season, then Stodds will be still recuperating at the start of the season and could be missing for the 6Ns, we have 8 backs in the Wales U18 development side (Connor Lloyd (Scarlets), Gareth Rees (Scarlets), Jack Maynard (Scarlets), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets), Craig Woodall (Scarlets), Dylan Morgan (Scarlets), Jake Randell (Scarlets), Dion Jones (Scarlets)) and with 3 or 4 players (or more) in the u20s squad, together with the 3 (or 4) centres we'll lose to the senior Wales side, I think we need players like Ionghi, particularly if they look really promising and already have international experience and can play across the backline.

Rupert Moon is leaving/has left too.

No way!? Thats gutting and a suprise as the marketin came on leaps and bounds when moon came in.

From what i have heard today, Iongi had not returned from a holiday in Tonga to pre season training with the scarlets. the club phoned him to see why he had not returned and he told them he did not wish to play for them anymore so his contract has been terminated by mutual consent. if that is in fact true, then good riddance as we only need players that are commited to the region. a decent player but no big loss to the scarlets.

Talking about players not acting the most professionally - rumour has is simon gardiner has left Rotherham after 3 weeks there. Not sure how much truth is in it.

Pioden - I haven't heard that one yet, but to be honest it wouldn't suprise me, I think he will prob end up back at Haverfordwest playing amature the way things are going.

Has it been mentioned Dan thomas penned a 5 year contract? (I know Samson did). I rate these guys quite highly.

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/wales/news/u20/22836.php

morgannwg: both dan thomas and samson lee have signed 5 year contracts, from the recommendation of danny wilson who worked with them at u20's.

spiderman: just heard on grapevine about gardiner,but not sure if it's true. just don't meet many people who have a nice word to say about the fella.

looks like the ospreys are looking to strengthen their back three:

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Ospreys-keeping-eye-open-gem-signings/story-16692223-detail/story.html

looks like scarlets have missed out on euan murry who has signed for agen. we did show interest prior to him moving to the falcons - but nothing this time around. surprised a bit as our current targets seem a bit ambivalent to joining us ( never a great sign!)

http://supporters.wru.co.uk/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=12530

Apparently Rupert Moon has been head hunted by the WRU to become their 'WRU General Manager of the North Wales Development Region'.

I hope whoever takes over from him at the Scarlets continues his good work

Smirnoffpriest wrote:http://supporters.wru.co.uk/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=12530

Apparently Rupert Moon has been head hunted by the WRU to become their 'WRU General Manager of the North Wales Development Region'.

I hope whoever takes over from him at the Scarlets continues his good work

+1 to that.

It’s definitely been a summer of change at the scarlets hey? Unfortunately some of the changes we've had very little control over - hopefully things will settle down in the next month or so.

Yeah hoepfully they'll settle down after we've made two great SA signings!

Not too sure how far down the recruitment process we are. Depending who you speak to they are all saying different things. But the general message thats coming out is "were still in negotiations" with a couple of south africans.

So basically be prepared for there to be no new additions, and then if we do sneak a signing it will be a bonus.

If thats true itll b a hard season and well b midtable with a few hammerings!

a few players wanted to wait to see how the kings and lions decision played out before committing. although the kings now look to be in (if you believe twitter), i think the players will now need to assess their situation,contract etc.....think it's a complex situation. which unfortunately for us (scarlets) is playing a big influence on some of our recruiting.

another name to add to the list of possibilities is 20 yearl old aussie lock jake ball. not played in the super 15 yet but attached to the western force.

also it does look like a player from the eastern kings is coming too.

According to this article the Lions and Kings should find out one way or another who is staying up next week. It's a really clusterf*** and a mad situation to be in this far into their off season.
"Johannesburg - The Golden Lions Rugby Union faces a tough, telling seven days that could well determine the future of the once-proud union in the coming few years, reports SuperSport.com."
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Lions-set-to-hear-S15-fate-20120813

What level do the Eastern Kings play at? Could be good to have another up and coming youngster as a project player, but that could impact on other 'senior' signings as it'll take up a NWQ project player place.

as mentioned earlier...simon thomas the journo has just tweeted:

Word reaches me from Down Under that @scarlets_rugby have recruited a young Aussie lock, Jake Ball. He's 21 and has been with Western Force.

i've heard he signed today and is welsh qualified.

How is he WQ? Welsh grandparent I'm guessing. Or has the residency rule now been changed to five minutes?

Here's what appears to be a highlight reel for anyone who's interested. Looks big for a 20/21 year-old. Very strong and quick to react with ball in hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2NRQWok1g

welsh father i believe.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Scarlets-linked-powerhouse-lock-Jake-Ball/story-16718679-detail/story.html

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/08/16/scarlets-boss-simon-easterby-in-hunt-for-recruits-91466-31632957/

3 names being linked to scarlets jake ball, johan snyman & Jacobie Adriaanse

I'm not that knowledgable on SA rugby but none of these seem to exactly set the house on fire. And could well be poorer than we've already got rathe than better players. Adriaanse is signed to World Artists similar to Cilliers though.

Ball just seems a lump. But seeing as what we seem to be missing is bulk, maybe that is a good thing, also being young could be a worth while signing in the future. Adriaanse looks like a fitter Pete the Meet, so could be a what we need to give us the solid set peice for our backs to play from. I ain't to sure on Snyman though, but I guess having a bit of depth in the second row can't be bad.

Priest - so is snayman http://www.worldartists.co.za/page/clients/Second_row_forward/1195440-Johan-Snyman

Ahh I see, must have missed Snayman.

I suppose at least these players will give us strength in depth, but I'm not sure they'll be better than what we had last season, which will be very disappointing as at least the players last season came through our youth system (in the locks) and were Welsh qualified.

Yeah, but lets give these a try, they are not huge name signings but to be honest neither were Ben Morgan, Regan King or Dai Lyons so fingers crossed

Also just looked at our squad (of the website) for next season, and Iongi is not there, so what ever it was that happened has been dealt with already and there has not been any press release or anything

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/people.php

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Yeah, but lets give these a try, they are not huge name signings but to be honest neither were Ben Morgan, Regan King or Dai Lyons so fingers crossed

Also just looked at our squad (of the website) for next season, and Iongi is not there, so what ever it was that happened has been dealt with already and there has not been any press release or anything

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/people.php

I'm quite shocked at that as they still had players who hadn't played for us for 2-3 seasons still on the squad list around a month ago.

It's a shame to lose him, I suppose they figure that he's taking up a NWQ space and Phillips covers the same positions as him and we have plenty of centres.

It is the lack of a thanks to the region for giving me experience from him, and the lack of a thanks to Villi and best wishes to him in the future froom us, that seems a bit weird. He may have been a bit player last season, but he was one that stood out a bit (bit like Big Joe did a few seasons ago) and to just disappear seems weird, especially with no explaination, well officially.

It was a shame because I felt that with Ionghi being so young and versatile he could have really become a very good player for the region in years to come. And as you said he put his body on the line for the team, gave it his all.

So it seems poor form for the region to just let him go like this UNLESS it's Ionghi whose told the Scarlets that he doesn't want to play for them again, which would be very poor from him.

Just thinking if these signings do come off then we have traded in (not counting people like D Thomas who have had appearances before)

Front Row -: I Thomas, R Thomas, Gardener = R Evans, S Lee, J Adriaanse
Second Row -: D Day, L Reed, D Welch = G Earle, J Galley, R Kelly, T Vallejos-Cinalli, J Ball, J Snyman
Back Row -: B Morgan, M Gilbert = None
Scrum Half -: None = None
Fly Half -: S Jones = None
Backs -: S Lamont, V Iongi, D Evans = K Phillips, G Owen

Definately looks like they have done what they said they would and paid real attention to the front five (well lock in particular). I am actually looking forward to next season now.

I think Manu will def be infront of Lee (which is why I was disappointed I was hoping to sign someone to go infront of Manu, like Cilliers which would allow Manu to cover both sides of the scrum if needed).

Besides Earle we still don't know if any of those locks will be better than Reed/Welch. But It's nice to have depth, though instead we've lost depth at LH and No8.