Pivac wants to see exiles in Wales, but how close are they to returning?
WAYNE Pivac used his media conference on Wednesday to press home the point that he would like to see exiled Welsh players returning to Wales.
No surprise there.
Any coach would want to have as many players as possible available for every match and training session. But when players are based in England, they are off limits to Pivac during fallow weeks in the Six Nations and also for the out-of-window Test that Wales more often than not play in the autumn.
Pivac says he has spoken to the players about the advantages of being based with a Welsh region, where they would be available for every training session and he could prepare his side better.
“That discussion has been had with each individual player and it’s fair to say there is a number of players looking to come to Wales,” says Pivac. How many?
We assessed the positions of a long list of exiled players that Pivac might like to see operating closer to home...
TAULUPE FALETAU
THE Rugby Paper recently linked the Ospreys to Faletau, but no contact has been made, with the Wales and Lions No.8 under contract to Bath.
That’s not to say the Liberty Stadium region might not be interested in the player when he becomes a free agent. Their new coach Toby Booth worked with Faletau for a number of years at Bath and the assumption is one of Welsh rugby’s leading players would have made an impression on him.
Nothing is likely to happen for a season at least.
But the recent Six Nations provided clear evidence that playing in the Gallagher Premiership works against even a household name like Faletau, with Pivac leaving him out of his starting line-up to face England partly because the Lions star had played for Bath the previous weekend, picked up a knock and been unable to train until 48 hours before the Test.
“That counted against him,” acknowledged Pivac at the time. “It’s just one of the downsides to guys playing outside of Wales, having to play on a Sunday before a Test match.”
DAN BIGGAR
HE is on a salary with big numbers at Northampton and his contract has another year left.
Biggar will be pushing 32 then and it will be intriguing to see whether he decides to return to Wales or stay in English rugby.
That he is well-thought of at Northampton is not in doubt. Coaches and supporters have lauded him and he has been playing some of his best rugby. “When Dan Biggar plays, Northampton play well,” said one close observer of the English scene.
Undoubtedly, Pivac would like to see such an important player back in Wales.
RHYS CARRE
THERE’S been no confirmation of Carre returning home, but Cardiff Blues are keen to see him back and a month ago were said to be close to completing the deal to bring about such a situation.
There was a whisper or two suggesting Carre could be directed to the Dragons.
But there’s been nothing to substantiate such speculation.
Carre looks to be en route to the Blues, for whom he’d be a fine signing, with the young prop looking a big talent.
WILLGRIFF JOHN
THE Wales squad strongman signed a three-year contract with Sale Sharks in 2018.
That means a number of regions will be monitoring him closely as he heads towards free-agent status.
Powerful tight-heads are soughtafter beasts, anyway.
When you throw into the mix a Wales qualification, a player like John becomes a potentially attractive option indeed.
Being based in England probably didn’t help him during the Six Nations, though he did win selection for the final-round game with Scotland, which had to be postponed.
WILL ROWLANDS
HE’S another who signed a contract extension in 2018, though in his case it wasn’t revealed how long his deal with Wasps would last.
But, capped against France this term, the 6ft 8in, 19st 5lb forward is a player with enough potential to interest the Welsh professional sides.
Would his Test chances benefit from a switch to Welsh rugby? Absolutely.
There’s no shortage of competition at lock and being available for all training sessions and matches would help Rowlands’ chances no end.
NICK TOMPKINS
HE is on a long-term contract with Saracens and there’s talk of a loandeal with a Welsh region which would aid Tompkins’s Wales and Lions prospects while relegated Saracens play in the English Championship next season.
But can anyone make the figures add up?
The plot has thickened of late. Reports initially suggested Tompkins had chosen Cardiff Blues as his preferred option, but they wanted him on a more permanent deal rather than a season-long arrangement.
Two weeks ago, after stories linking Hadleigh Parkes to a move to Japan, there was talk of the Scarlets being a possible destination for the talented centre.
And last weekend it was suggested the Dragons had entered the fray.
But it is a tough one. With many internationals pencilled in for next term, it’s hard to imagine Tompkins will play much regional rugby, so how could a region justify bringing him in on loan for a year only.
But Pivac would doubtless want him in this part of the world, whether for a season or beyond.
OWEN WILLIAMS
HE’S said to be on his way to Japan.
The Ospreys and Dragons were interested. Nothing has been confirmed, but there’s usually no smoke without fire and the signs are that Williams will be off limits to Pivac next term, with his Wales career potentially over at the age of 28.
JONAH HOLMES
LEICESTER Tigers have released him from the final year of his contract, with the suggestion being such a move has brought a switch to the Dragons closer.
The 27-year-old would have been ineligible for Wales had he signed a new deal at Welford Road.
So, he’s set to pitch up in regional rugby.
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT
THE free-scoring wing signed a longterm contract with Gloucester in January. As his contract is his first senior deal, he remains eligible for Wales.
On the surface, this is settled for some time, then.
But the probability is Rees-Zammit’s Wales ambitions won’t be helped by playing outside the regional scene. A lack of training time owing to
club commitments counted against him for selection against Italy in the Six Nations.
There is zero doubt about his potential.
But he’s also made life potentially a shade more difficult for himself with Wales.
TOMMY REFFELL
THE 6ft, 15st 6lb openside recently walked off with the Premiership Breakthrough player-of-the-year award in England.
That says a lot for him.
The Ospreys were reportedly interested in the Bridgend-born youngster earlier this year, but, again, it’s not clear that any contact took place. In fact, the word is they never spoke with Reffell.
Wales have so much depth at No. 7 that a player in that position outside the regional scene would need to be playing extraordinarily well to force his way to the front of the national queue.
The abrasive Reffell, good over the ball, tough and fearless in defence, is a talent.
But he faces the same hurdles that confront a player like Rees-Zammit in playing outside Wales.
IOAN LLOYD
HERE’S another likely lad, a fly-half who can play elsewhere in the backline.
He signed a four-year professional contract with Bristol Bears in 2019.
No imminent return likely, then.
CHRIS TSHIUNZA
THE Whitchurch High School product is 6ft 6in and widely tipped for a big future.
He’s on an academy deal with Exeter Chiefs which the lock took up as it fits in with his studies at the local university. Too many people have said encouraging things about young Tshiunza for him not to be worth keeping an eye on.
But he looks to be tied up in England for a few years yet.
NICKY THOMAS
THE tight-head prop another who heading back to the regional scene.
The Ospreys hope they can kickstart his career and help him tap the potential that was evident when he came through as a big-scrummaging youngster.
For him, attitude is key.
CALLUM SHEEDY
HE penned a two-year contract with Bristol Bears in 2019.
Eligible for Wales, England and Ireland, he is highly rated, but there is no obvious sign of the Cardiff-born flyhalf returning from whence he came.
MAT PROTHEROE
FAST, exciting and talented backthree player, he’s heading back from Bristol to the Ospreys.
He’ll be one to watch.
JOHNNY WILLIAMS
THE England U20s centre also qualifies for Wales and has been linked with the Scarlets.
He currently plies his trade for Newcastle Falcons and has a touch of quality about him on the pitch.
With Hadleigh Parkes and Owen Williams potentially leaving Wales, Pivac would probably take the view that having another quality option available would be a major plus.
SAM COSTELOW
HE’S a talent and he’s on his way back to Wales from Leicester.
A bedding-in period is expected at the Scarlets, who also have Rhys Patchell, Dan Jones and Angus O’Brien as potential 10s.
But Costelow looks an exciting prospect. Pivac will be delighted he’s returning home.
LUKE SCULLY
THE fly-half is leaving Worcester Warriors for Cardiff Blues.
If he can command a regular spot at the Arms Park, he could interest Wales, but Jarrod Evans is the man in possession at the region.
That’s quite some challenge for Scully.
RHYS DAVIES
THE 6ft 6in lock is retracing his steps to Wales after a stint with Bath, with the Ospreys luring him back.
He’s seen as a more-than-useful prospect.