Familiar regional faces in
THERE’S a familiar look to the top end of Welsh rugby this coming season with the prospect of both the Guinness PRO12 (PRO13 or PRO14 given the Zebre situation) alongside the Principality Premiership being split into two conferences.
The Premiership is facing some minor tinkering, with the second season split of two eight-club divisions being brought in for the start of the season and going down the geographical route before coming together for play-offs.
For the Welsh regions this will be the first season of being divided into two conferences should the PRO12 chiefs give the green light to the inclusion of former South African Super Rugby franchises, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings for the coming campaign.
That’s not the only similarity between the Premiership and PRO12 game as some influential regional players make the step down to the second tier of Welsh rugby for the coming season to go alongside some former big hitters from the Scarlets, Ospreys, Blues and Dragons already there.
We look at some of the former regional stars coming to a rugby club near you... six appearances for the Liberty Stadium outfit this term, taking his career tally for them up to 101.
He played 77 games for the Dragons after joining the Gwent region from Cornish Pirates in 2005. Having become eligible for Wales on residency, he was in line for a place in Warren Gatland’s squad in 2009 before a groin injury curtailed his season.
The Newquay-born Bearman moved to the Ospreys in 2011 and has been a valuable servant for them at both blindside flanker and No.8. He was handed a one-year extension to the end of last season, but has now moved on to the Ironmen. GAVIN EVANS (NEATH) THE former Cardiff Blues and Scarlets centre has exactly 200 appearances in regional rugby under his belt. He’s also in the possession of a solitary Welsh cap having come off the bench in the 38-20 victory against the Pacific Islanders in Cardiff back in November, 2006. After making 78 appearances for the Scarlets in May 2009, Evans moved up the M4 to the Blues where he would go on to play a further 122 games. In the summer of 2016 he joined Neath PETE EDWARDS (MERTHYR) ‘THE Meat’ was something of a cult figure at the Scarlets in recent seasons.
Born in Shrewsbury, Edwards had spells with Newtown, Llanelli RFC and Llandovery ahead of making his regional debut in 2010.
He spent a year with London Welsh before returning to the Scarlets in 2014 and has gone on to play more than 70 games for the region in all, turning out eight times this season.
Edwards is a familiar figure in the game with his somewhat rotund physique, but he’s also a formidable scrummager and a willing carrier.
He became a popular figure amongst the Scarlets faithful and