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Who’s coming, who’s going and who’s staying put in Welsh rugby ahead of next season
The end of the season is drawing closer and all four Welsh regions are continuing to build on their plans for the 2026/27 campaign.
Amid all the uncertainty over how many professional clubs there will be in the years to come given the Welsh Rugby Union’s proposals to cut the number of regions to three, it is understandable that player recruitment has been more than a little slow in Wales this season. In fact, just four new permanent arrivals have been confirmed, with all but three of those coming at one region.
At the same time, several major exits have been announced, with some of Welsh rugby’s biggest talents leaving Wales for a new challenge elsewhere.
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However, with retention the primary focus, all four regions have managed to agree new deals with some of their brightest stars, with a total of 26 players committing their future to their respective sides so far.
Here’s a full breakdown of who’s coming, who’s going and who’s staying put ahead of next season.
Cardiff
IN: None
OUT: Ben Donnell (Ulster)
STAYING: Josh Adams, Rhys Barratt, Jacob Beetham, James Botham, Tom Bowen, Steffan Emanuel, Mason Grady, Alex Mann, Callum Sheedy, Evan Lloyd
The focus has been on retention in the Welsh capital, with boss Corniel van Zyl himself signing a long-term contract to become head coach at Cardiff Arms Park earlier this month.
While no new signings have been announced, van Zyl’s side has been boosted by a total of 10 players committing their future to the region. They include youngsters Tom Bowen and Steffan Emanuel, as well as more experienced heads in Josh Adams and Callum Sheedy.
Wales internationals James Botham, Mason Grady, Alex Mann, Evan Lloyd and Jacob Beetham have also put pen to paper on new deals, as has former Wales U20s prop Rhys Barratt.
However, in terms of departures, Cardiff have lost versatile forward Ben Donnell, with the Irish-qualified former England U20s international joining Ulster on a three-year deal from next season.
Dragons
IN: Anzelo Tuitavuki (Colomiers), Terrell Peita (Blues), Caio Parry (RGC)
OUT: Aaron Wainwright (Leicester Tigers)
STAYING: Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Rio Dyer, Che Hope, Angus O’Brien
The busiest Welsh region in terms of new signings, the Dragons have confirmed deals for Tongan wing Anzelo Tuitavuki and New Zealand back row Terrell Peita.
Meanwhile, Jon Callard, coach of Super Rygbi Cymru side RGC, has confirmed that hot prospect wing Caio Parry is signing for the Rodney Parade outfit for next season.
In terms of outgoings, however, Filo Tiatia’s side are losing their best player in the talismanic Aaron Wainwright, with the Wales back rower moving to Leicester Tigers next season for a new challenge in England.
Ospreys
IN: Tom Rogers (Scarlets)
OUT: Jac Morgan (Gloucester), Dewi Lake (Gloucester), James Fender (Grenoble), Jack Walsh (Montauban), Phil Cokanasiga (Gloucester)
STAYING: Harri Deaves, Dan Edwards, Keelan Giles, Kieran Hardy, Lewis Lloyd, Morgan Morse, Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Tom Botha
After the most turbulent season in the region’s history, the Ospreys pulled off a massive coup when they announced the signing of Wales wing Tom Rogers from rivals Scarlets earlier this month.
While the Scarlets tried to keep the 27-year-old at the club, Rogers was keen to pursue a “new challenge” following discussions with Ospreys boss Mark Jones, in what the head coach said was a statement of intent for the region’s future.
The news came after a brutal time for the Ospreys in terms of outgoings, with captain Jac Morgan and vice-captain Dewi Lake both signing for PREM Rugby side Gloucester next season in a huge loss for Welsh rugby.
Wales’ two captains will be joined at Kingsholm by centre Phil Cokanasiga, while uncapped Wales second-row James Fender is also leaving to join Pro D2 club Grenoble.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Fender will be joined in the French second-tier by fly-half Jack Walsh, with the Florida-born talent – who would have qualified for Wales on residency before next year’s Rugby World Cup – giving up the chance of winning Welsh international honours to join Montauban.
Scarlets
IN: None
OUT: Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Marnus van der Merwe (Munster)
STAYING: Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod
It has been a quiet time at Parc y Scarlets, but the region confirmed last week that there will be “a series of rugby recruitment and retention announcements” in the coming weeks.
While there have not been any new incomings ahead of next season, however, the Scarlets have fought off competition from some of European rugby’s biggest clubs to retain the services of number eight Fletcher Anderson.
The New Zealander has been the signing of the season in Welsh rugby, proving himself to be one of the standout back-row forwards in the URC. He signed new terms in Llanelli earlier this month, with captain Josh Macleod also putting pen to paper on a new deal.
However, there have been two big outgoings, with Rogers joining the Ospreys and star hooker Marnus van der Merwe signing for Munster next season.
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