IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE: WHO IS MOVING ON THIS YEAR?
THE Guinness PRO14 campaign is at a stop because of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s unclear whether it will be completed.
The Covid-19 crisis has also had an effect on the transfer market with clubs unsure over their futures after being put under severe financial pressure because of the loss of income.
Players in Wales have accepted pay cuts while the departures of some when their contracts come to an end has been confirmed.
Here are the 20 players known to be leaving the PRO14.
OSPREYS
Former Wales star James Hook retires at the age of 34 following a 14year professional career that brought Six Nations success and a place in the Lions squad for the 2009 tour of South Africa.
The versatile back has written a number of rugby books for youngsters and worked as a television and radio pundit.
He will be joined through the Liberty Stadium exit door by the socalled ‘Beast from the East’, Moldova tighthead prop Gheorghe Gajion, who is on the move to French club Aurillac.
SCARLETS
Talented youngster Corey Baldwin has bagged a plum move to Gallagher Premiership top dogs Exeter
Chiefs.
The former Wales Under-20 centre or wing, who also qualifies for England, is regarded as a real prospect by the Devon club.
CONNACHT Back-row star Colby Fainga’a has consistently been one of the Irish province’s best players since joining from Super Rugby outfit Melbourne Rebels two years ago.
He has signed a lucrative contract with French Top 14 side Lyon, while Connacht’s New Zealand hooker Tom McCartney, a key member of their PRO12 title-winning team of 2016, is retiring.
EDINBURGH Coach Richard Cockerill, the former England hooker and ex-Leicester Tigers coach, doesn’t do sentiment.
He’s already announced the departure of eight players, who include onetime Scarlets great and former Scotland captain John Barclay.
Another international, Dougie Fife, has also been released, along with ex-New Zealand Under-20 and Blues Super Rugby outside-half Simon Hickey, Jason Baggott, Sam Thomson and Cameron Fenton, while Italy prop Pietro Ceccarelli has signed for former European Cup holders Brive in France.
GLASGOW WARRIORS Former Scotland skipper and lock forward Jonny Gray is joining Baldwin at Exeter Chiefs.
And record try-scorer DTH van der Merwe, the Canada star, who had two seasons with the Scarlets, is also leaving the club.
Australia scrum-half international Nick Friby and Tonga prop Siua Halanukonuka have been released while lock prospect Cameron Henderson is joining Leicester.
LEINSTER
Popular Ireland centre or wing Fergus
McFadden is hanging up his boots at the end of the current season.
He gave everything during a career that brought numerous trophies with multiple European and PRO14 champions Leinster.
CHEETAHS
Hooker and prolific tryscorer Joseph Dweba has pocketed a dream move to European club rugby’s best supported team, French Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Begles.