Quota ofWelsh derby matches set to be ‘safe’

THE Welsh regions are now set to retain their full complement of domestic derbies next season despite ambitious plans to overhaul the structure of the Guinness Pro12.

South African teams Cheetahs and Southern Kings, who have been cut loose by Super Rugby, are due to join the league next season, expanding it to 14 teams.

The details of the deal were expected to be finalised last night, with official confirmation coming in the next few days.

A new league is expected to involve two conferences of seven teams: One South African, one Scottish, one Italian, two Welsh and two Irish.

The new structure had sparked fears that fans would see a reduced number of domestic Welsh derbies over the course of a season, with teams in the same conference playing each other home and away, with the two conferences opposing each other on an one-off basis.

However, tournament organisers are believed to have adjusted the list of fixtures to ensure that no derby matches – that draw in bigger crowds and create more of the revenue – are lost.

It is also understood that the addition of two teams will bring added cash – from television companies and the South African Rugby Union – to the league. Cory Allen Not a new face as such, but certainly a player who needed a change of scenery.

Having gone stale with the Cardiff Blues, spending half of last season on the 7s circuit rather than at the Arms Park, a move to the Liberty Stadium offers Allen, 24, a fresh start.

Having impressed for Wales on their summer tour in the unfamiliar position of wing, the centre will be hoping to recapture the form that saw him bag a hat-trick against Uruguay in the 2015 World Cup. James Hook Another one of the so-called Galacticos to return to Wales this summer, Hook, 32, rejoins home region Ospreys after six years in France and England.

Spells with Perpignan and Gloucester have coincided with the mercurial 81-cap fly-half falling out of Warren Gatland’s favour in the Wales setup.

Will offer plenty of cover to internationals Dan Biggar and Sam Davies as he can slot in at fly-half, centre or full-back.

SCARLETS

Paul Asquith A relative unknown signing for the Champions, Asquith, 23, has made just three Super Rugby appearances for the Melbourne Rebels as well spending two years on the 7s circuit with Australia.

Able to line up at centre, wing or fullback, Wayne Pivac will be hoping the versatile Australian can help fill the voids left by the departures of internationals Liam Williams and DTH van der Merwe.

Despite being unproven at this level, Asquith seems to possess the well-rounded skill-set that could see him thrive at Parc y Scarlets.