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

First topic message reminder :

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

Yep, apparently Tovey is now staying

So who knows what is happening

international197 wrote:The reality is the Welsh regions don't have the money to compete with the big French/English clubs and that's why WQ players are leaving Wales; they are being offered higher salaries by foreign clubs. The WRU don't have the authority to print money out of thin air, and even if they did, they would run the risk of catastrophic hyperinflation, so I can't see the Welsh regions ever competing with the big French/English clubs financially.

The fact of the matter is even the french and english clubs cannot afford to pay the wages that they are. These wages are being financed by their wealthy owners such as mourad boudjellal of Toulon. saracens make multimillion pound losses each year as do Manchester City and Chelsea but their owners don't care because it is just their expensive hobby.

Sports teams make losses because good owners want their teams to succeed and therefore help finance top player salaries.

The welsh regions also have wealthy owners. In fact the personal wealth of the owners of the blues and newport dwarfs that of the toulon owner and most other english and french clubs. The difference is that peter thomas and the rest want the wru to finance their weekend hobby even though he has £200million already in the bank, to finance such a hobby.

Scrumdown wrote:

international197 wrote:The reality is the Welsh regions don't have the money to compete with the big French/English clubs and that's why WQ players are leaving Wales; they are being offered higher salaries by foreign clubs. The WRU don't have the authority to print money out of thin air, and even if they did, they would run the risk of catastrophic hyperinflation, so I can't see the Welsh regions ever competing with the big French/English clubs financially.

The fact of the matter is even the french and english clubs cannot afford to pay the wages that they are. These wages are being financed by their wealthy owners such as mourad boudjellal of Toulon. saracens make multimillion pound losses each year as do Manchester City and Chelsea but their owners don't care because it is just their expensive hobby.

Sports teams make losses because good owners want their teams to succeed and therefore help finance top player salaries.

The welsh regions also have wealthy owners. In fact the personal wealth of the owners of the blues and newport dwarfs that of the toulon owner and most other english and french clubs. The difference is that peter thomas and the rest want the wru to finance their weekend hobby even though he has £200million already in the bank, to finance such a hobby.

RFU and FRU don't take away the train set and break it before their clubs want to play with it though do they?

I think people forget that the regions are not clubs, and sadly not provinces either.  Moneymen can back clubs and throw money at them to make the club into what they want it to be.  Provinces are pretty much mini union branches, and are funded and looked after by the union.  The Regions are a cross between the two, funded by moneymen (assisted by the union) and directed by the union (although the moneymen trying to impose their own style).  And as such we are constantly bickering with each other on what the right way forward is but not really doing anything to change things

Stone Motif wrote:

Scrumdown wrote:

international197 wrote:The reality is the Welsh regions don't have the money to compete with the big French/English clubs and that's why WQ players are leaving Wales; they are being offered higher salaries by foreign clubs. The WRU don't have the authority to print money out of thin air, and even if they did, they would run the risk of catastrophic hyperinflation, so I can't see the Welsh regions ever competing with the big French/English clubs financially.

The fact of the matter is even the french and english clubs cannot afford to pay the wages that they are. These wages are being financed by their wealthy owners such as mourad boudjellal of Toulon.  saracens make multimillion pound losses each year as do Manchester City and Chelsea but their owners don't care because it is just their expensive hobby.

Sports teams make losses because good owners want their teams to succeed and therefore help finance top player salaries.

The welsh regions also have wealthy owners. In fact the personal wealth of the owners of the blues and newport dwarfs that of the toulon owner and most other english and french clubs.  The difference is that peter thomas and the rest want the wru to finance their weekend hobby even though he has £200million already in the bank, to finance such a hobby.

RFU and FRU don't take away the train set and break it before their clubs  want to play with it though do they?

Rfu do and pay less per club/region than the wru do for the same priviledge.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I think people forget that the regions are not clubs, and sadly not provinces either.  Moneymen can back clubs and throw money at them to make the club into what they want it to be.  Provinces are pretty much mini union branches, and are funded and looked after by the union.  The Regions are a cross between the two, funded by moneymen (assisted by the union) and directed by the union (although the moneymen trying to impose their own style).  And as such we are constantly bickering with each other on what the right way forward is but not really doing anything to change things

Regions exist in exactly the same legal form as the previous clubs.  

They are private limited companies controlled by wealthy individuals.   Nothing has changed in that regard.

These wealthy individuals happily signed a 5 year participation agreement with the WRU in exchange for funding of £30million.  In other words, any influence that the WRU has over the regions has been paid for.  It is about time Peter Thomas started paying the Cardiff Blues for the influence that he has over them too.

If Peter Thomas wants to select the Cardiff Blues coach and sign their players then he should pay for this priviledge just as Mourad bedjoullal does at Toulon by pooring millions of his own personal wealth into the club.

Otherwise, ownership of our regions by private owners just doesn't make financial or rugby sense.

Might Jordan Williams break into the Scarlets team next season and play on the wing? Long term I think he would be more comfortable there than at full back.

Hook to the blues. Know that would be very interesting for him and his international career. Would like to see him there, and i'm sure with Peter Thomas there he will pay a few bob for him.
Hope they do bring him back to Wales.
Imagine Gethin, Matthew and Hook signed together in one season. Wow

Can't see Hook going to the Blues as he would end up in the inside centre berth again, or job sharing with Patchell for the ten shirt.  I can not see him setting for either.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Can't see Hook going to the Blues as he would end up in the inside centre berth again, or job sharing with Patchell for the ten shirt.  I can not see him setting for either.

With the very promising French International Camille Lopez, going to Perpignan, maybe Hook will have to share the 10 shirt and or move to 12 at Perpignan?

Tovey is back on parade

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23026927

Griff wrote:Tovey is back on parade

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23026927

very surprised with this move to be truthful.

Be interesting to see where Lyn uses him in the back line. Probably challenging Dan Evans for the fullback role.

I was never a big fan of Tovey when he was with us the first time - some said he was the next off the conveyor belt of great welsh 10s, but I found him to look a bit lethargic, lazy, disinterested at times. Also seemed to lack a bit of pace, so not sure he'd make the best fullback. Not really sure that we needed him, but if Lyn Jones thinks he's good then I'll bow to his superior knowledge!

Seagultaf wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Can't see Hook going to the Blues as he would end up in the inside centre berth again, or job sharing with Patchell for the ten shirt.  I can not see him setting for either.

With the very promising French International Camille Lopez, going to Perpignan, maybe Hook will have to share the 10 shirt and or move to 12 at Perpignan?

Of go to another side that want a starting fly half?

I think Hook would be mad to go to the Blues as 'cover for a number of positions'. He's Perpignan's best player, playing from 10 - surely he could secure the 10 shirt in his own right rather than become a utility back for the Blues???

In my opinion the Dragons need to priorities strengthening other areas of their team first. Probably could have done strengthening the front five and an experienced centre first (although dragons still might strengthen in those positions) See the signing of Tovey as a bit of a luxury, but as Griff says I bow to Lyn's superior knowledge.

Seems like the Dragons are building up a bit of momentum and getting the "feel good factor back". Be good to see RP bouncing again & becoming a fortress (from a welsh perspective not a scarlet one)

Now the Blues have freed up some of their playing budget, it will be interesting to see who they'll bring in.

In my opinion the Dragons need to priorities strengthening other areas of their team first. Probably could have done strengthening the front five and an experienced centre first (although dragons still might strengthen in those positions) See the signing of Tovey as a bit of a luxury, but as Griff says I bow to Lyn's superior knowledge.

Seems like the Dragons are building up a bit of momentum and getting the "feel good factor back". Be good to see RP bouncing again & becoming a fortress (from a welsh perspective not a scarlet one)

Now the Blues have freed up some of their playing budget, it will be interesting to see who they'll bring in.

Dave Parade has never been a fortress from a Scarlets perspective.

Wouldn't want hook, i'd prefer Patchell at 10 and then some experienced back up for him. Then saying that, Hook isn't in the picture for team wales these days so could work out well once they get their hooks firmly in Patchell and take him from us.

Hook would have to take a significant pay cut to come back to regional rugby. Can see him staying out in France, however he has a young family & business interest back here. So there is always a possibility he might return home.

Not overly convinced with PD ability in player recruitment. He signed some very average players during his time at the Scarlets. I know it won't be entirely down to him, and Manning & PT have an influence with recruitment. Think PT also consults Graham Henry about SH players.

Blues now need to recruit a 10, experienced centre and another back rower to replace Paterson.

busy day for the dragons. kingsley jones has now been confirmed as their new assistant coach:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23033667

I think it is fair to say that so far the Dragons signings on and off the field are looking like the best so far (Not knocking the Blues efforts but Geth and Smiler are in Team Wales and getting on).

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I think it is fair to say that so far the Dragons signings on and off the field are looking like the best so far (Not knocking the Blues efforts but Geth and Smiler are in Team Wales and getting on).

There you go Lyn. No pressure like

Stone Motif wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I think it is fair to say that so far the Dragons signings on and off the field are looking like the best so far (Not knocking the Blues efforts but Geth and Smiler are in Team Wales and getting on).

There you go Lyn.  No pressure like

N'ah Lyn always ignore me anyhow.

Really pleased with the Dragons' announcements today. It might not be too everyone's liking (well the odd idiot), but I really liked Lyn and Jason going on about Gwent rugby too. Obviously Kingsley being a local boy may bring a few fans down from the Gwent Valleys too.

Very positive. I don't blame Tovey for leaving us as at the time he was right. Our facilities were a joke. The board seemed to be making minimal improvements and our coaching set up wasn't great. Now our board has taken steps to sort a few of our problems out, things are seeming like they're on the up.

Can see Prydie getting a few more tries for us this season

Feeling postive for the Dragons, watch out Kerrrdiffff ! 

The other thing is if/when Tovey shines then it is a message to the likes of Hughes, Dixon, Amos and Co. that sometimes staying put is better than jumping ship in the hopes of recognition.

Good point

was thinking all this ambition shown by the dragons, will only help when trying to retain the likes of faletau in the future.

So with Kingsley coming in as assistant does that mean Edwards will be backs coach? Surprised he hasn't walked to be truthful. Must be hard on him being demoted from head coach, plus seeing the team being improved & invested in.

From his comments in the past (specifically the interview he gave to Dragged Up) I think it was clear he was a stop gap appointment all along. He's had a ffecyn thankless task the last season while we steadied the ship financially.

The Blues have more signings to come apparently, decent ones too.

yeap it was a bit of a thankless task.

not sure what his role in recruitment is......but under his leadership he did pretty well (more positives than negatives)  prydie, cudd, dan evans, waters, parry etc......the only flop really was tim ryan - guess the jury is still out on nimmo. but that's a pretty high success rate in recruitment considering him was shopping in the bargain basement.

I think next season looks bleak for Kris Burton with Steffan Jones and Jason Tovey competing for the Dragons ten shirt, which I believe is good from a Welsh prospective. I think Tovey didn't always have the rub of the green when he was at the Blues*. I wouldn't be surprised if the Blues re-signed Dai Flanagan, if not James Hook, to replace Jason Tovey as fly-half, Flanagan was top points scorer in the 2013/2014 Principality Premiership*.

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20990965
*http://www.blackandambers.co.uk/News/Article/29467

wales606 wrote:The Blues have more signings to come apparently, decent ones too.

can see 1 or 2 kiwis coming in, probably in the mould/level of paterson (on the fringes on the national team)

only 4 NWQ players at the blues next season at the moment? Bourrust, Copeland, Normandale & Paulo? Guessing Filise will retire, and the Romanian prop Tamba?

wales606 wrote:The Blues have more signings to come apparently, decent ones too.

When though.
You said this over a week ago, I really hope they are good signings because the blues are jut a few good players away from being competitive at a high level next season. At least any news in what position they are in?

Also really got to take my hat off to the dragons they have made some decent singings and have brought in some experienced coaches to bring in some experience into a young team. I hope they have a much better year next season.
Also people are knocking Tovey but let's not forget what he can do when in form. He has had a hard time the last 2 season with injury and being out of favour for Patchell and Halfpenny but lets not forget that he has some good talent and he is still relatively young.
Hope he gets more game time and will be a great addition to the backline, Kingsley work them into shape.
Well done Dragons

It's good to have Tovey back. But, with Jones, Burton, Evans and Prydie he won't be walking back into the team. Anyone know what's happening with guys like Robling and Wardle? BTW, great to have Kingsley on board. It's no world beating coaching team but it is the best the Dragons have had in the a long long time.

According to the weekends rugby paper, the Ospreys are after winger Zac Guilford.

pioden gorllewin wrote:According to the weekends rugby paper, the Ospreys are after winger Zac Guilford.

Where's your "interesting" thread disappeared to?

munkian wrote:Feeling postive for the Dragons, watch out Kerrrdiffff ! 

Indeed and the others too as the fight for 3rd spot will no doubt go down to the wire for a change. Exciting stuff.

Tovey speaks;

"And he is adamant they can end their traditional tag of being the weakest Welsh region.

"This club has got the potential to be the first or second region. We've got to look past being fourth and pushing for third," he said.

"If you're going to set your standards, you've got to set them to be the best region in Wales.

"The way the club's going and the signings they made before I arrive with Kris Burton, [Netani] Talei, [Martin] Muller, Rhys Thomas, Richie Rees - this club has definitely got potential to move forward next season."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23032717

Cardiff Dave wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:According to the weekends rugby paper, the Ospreys are after winger Zac Guilford.

Where's your "interesting" thread disappeared to?

it was pulled by the mods to be on the safe side, which I totally understand. it's on scarletfever site on their general rugby if you want to follow peoples responses etc.

pioden gorllewin wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:According to the weekends rugby paper, the Ospreys are after winger Zac Guilford.

Where's your "interesting" thread disappeared to?

it was pulled by the mods to be on the safe side, which I totally understand. it's on scarletfever site on their general rugby if you want to follow peoples responses etc.

Like the tv program was. Haha. Saying that I do understand as well as to why it was deleted from this forum and there are other more excitable places to visit if someone wants to get involved. Sounded dodgy though didn't it? Don't answer that.

Dave -: are you saying I'm Roger the Dodger?  It sounded pretty iffy to me too, and hope the mainstream press pick it up as news, then it can be unpulled.

If Guilford does join the Ospreys that will add some real fire power to their back division, and I guess with DIrkson looking to be on the medics table for a while longer a winger is really needed at the moment.  Unless of course they decide to put Tibaldi on the wing :eyeroll:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:According to the weekends rugby paper, the Ospreys are after winger Zac Guilford.

Where's your "interesting" thread disappeared to?

It is back up now

https://www.606v2.com/t45712-interesting-read-on-the-wru#2150247

Ospreys would be taking a risk on Guilford considering the baggage that he would come with. although this move wouldn't surprise me especially with hore's contact in nz.

Heard he is a bit of a Phillips, talented but not focused. That said the Ospreys need a winger, and he is a very good winger. It all come down to how well Tandy's man management is, and how much competition for his shirt there is. If Tandy can do his hard nosed nasty steward act, and Ross Jones/Daf Howells etc, can do a job if Guilford is dropped for a game or two, then I think it could pay off.

pioden gorllewin wrote:Ospreys would be taking a risk on Guilford considering the baggage that he would come with. although this move wouldn't surprise me especially with hore's contact in nz.

I thought that, but time away from the limelight might help him out a bit. Would be a hell of a signing and I think thy could afford him cause the player they have signed already are not expensive signings and they don't need to make any other big signings because they already have a strong team in most positions.
But we will se, it might just be another rumour.

Guilford doesn't seem like Hore's type of player. He either tends to like experienced leaders or young unproven players. Guilford doesn't fall in either camp. Plus with previous history Hore must worry that Guilford might end up more in the Evening Post for his activities on Wind St, than on the rugby field.

If a kiwi was joining I would have thought new coach Chris Gibbes would use his connection in Waikato to bring someone over.

I think there is no need for the Ospreys to sign Zac Guilford. I think they are well covered on the wings for the 2013/2014 season with the likes of Richard Fussell, Hanno Dirksen, Tom Grabham, Ben John, Ross Jones, Jeff Hassler, Tom Habberfield, Tom Isaacs, Dafydd Howells and Eli Walker all competing for berths there. I also believe winger Ashley Evans** of Bridgend RFC deserves to be offered a contract by the Ospreys after his performances** in the 2013 JWC, so even more competition on the wings if he signs. I think he works well with Sam Davies, an Osprey fly-half. I think the Ospreys should save some money for when they actually need to sign a winger (if that day will ever come).

*http://www.bridgendravens.co.uk/Teams/Player?PersonId=150809
*http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_u20.php?player=108302&includeref=dynamic
*http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/10492714.Wales_Under_20s_18_South_Africa_Under_20s_17/
*http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-u20-15-23-england-u20-4702083

international197 wrote:I think there is no need for the Ospreys to sign Zac Guilford. I think they are well covered on the wings for the 2013/2014 season with the likes of Richard Fussell, Hanno Dirksen, Tom Grabham, Ben John, Ross Jones, Jeff Hassler, Tom Habberfield, Tom Isaacs, Dafydd Howells and Eli Walker all competing for berths there. I also believe winger Ashley Evans** of Bridgend RFC deserves to be offered a contract by the Ospreys after his performances** in the 2013 JWC, so even more competition on the wings if he signs. I think he works well with Sam Davies, an Osprey fly-half. I think the Ospreys should save some money for when they actually need to sign a winger (if that day will ever come).

*http://www.bridgendravens.co.uk/Teams/Player?PersonId=150809
*http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_u20.php?player=108302&includeref=dynamic
*http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/10492714.Wales_Under_20s_18_South_Africa_Under_20s_17/
*http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-u20-15-23-england-u20-4702083

Do you act this much of a muppet on purpose? Only a fool would believe there is no need or an All Black winger in their team... Once again you've shown your depth of rugby knowledge because a few of the players on your list are scrum halves, and one is an 18 year old novelty choice for the recent Wales tour. Fussell is a poor full back and the Ospreys had an injury crisis in the back 3 all of last season, it makes perfect sense to strengthen that area.
Why the need to pretend to be Welsh and scour the internet for random Welsh rugby players to post on here? I don't believe it has ever fooled anyone.