Ins and outs... all the already sealed, plus a
WE may have a little over two months of the season still to play, but it’s already been a busy time in the transfer market for the 2018-19 season with more comings and goings than Heathrow Airport.
Some high profile moves have already been rubber-stamped with the likes of Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard heading to the Dragons while Wales and Lions star Jamie Roberts will be staying in the Aviva Premiership but with Bath his paymasters next season and not Harlequins. This week we’ve seen the Scarlets recruit Springboks No.8 Uzair Cassiem from the Cheetahs while their former scrum-half Sarel Pretorious is heading back to South Africa, with the Dragons No.9 joining the Southern Kings.
Here is the definitive list of Welsh rugby’s comings and goings so far... plus a few others whose futures look set to dominate the headlines in the coming weeks.
Rhys Webb (Ospreys to Toulon)
THE move that shook Welsh rugby to its core.
Not so much that the Wales and Lions scrum-half wanted a change of scenery in France but before the ink could dry on his Toulon contract came the news Webb will no longer be available for Wales once his heads across the Channel under the new 60-cap WRU selection.
He also didn’t have the chance to say bon voyage to Wales and the Ospreys as this week news broke the 29-year-old has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after knee surgery.
Dan Biggar (Ospreys to Northampton Saints)
BIGGAR announced in September that he was moving to the east Midlands, ending a decade of senior rugby at the Liberty. The length of Biggar’s deal hasn’t been disclosed, but, unlike Webb, his international future is safe having won his 60th cap in the autumn.
Scott Williams (Scarlets to Ospreys)
ONE of the more surprising transfer announcements of the season sees Williams, an integral member of the recent Scarlets’ success story, opting to join arch rivals Ospreys on a three-year deal. Aled Davies (Scarlets to Ospreys) Another crossing the Loughor divide. The Wales scrum-half is hoping to establish himself as first choice at the Liberty after spending recent times in the shadow of Gareth Davies in Llanelli.
John Barclay (Scarlets to Edinburgh)
THE Scotland skipper brings to an end a five-year spell in West Wales when he returns north of the border at the end of the campaign.
Kieron Fonotia (Ospreys to Scarlets)
WITH Scott Williams heading one way, Fonotia heads the other to reunite with his former Crusaders team-mate Johnny McNicholl at Parc y Scarlets.
Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets to Munster)
THE former Leinster forward — regional rugby’s signing of the season for 2016-17 — is returning to Ireland to pursue his international ambitions at Munster. And what a time to be heading back over the Irish Sea with Joe Schmidt’s Test team the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winners.
Richard Hibbard (Gloucester to Dragons)
THE Wales and British and Irish Lions hooker has become the latest high-profile acquisition at Rodney Parade.
The former Osprey, who won the last of his 38 caps in 2015, has signed a three-year deal.
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester to Dragons)
THE capture of the Wales and Lions back-rower is a major coup for the ambitious Dragons regime.
Has signed a two-year deal with the Men of Gwent, ensuring he is not excluded by the WRU’s new selection guidelines.
Rhodri Williams (Bristol to Dragons)
THE former Scarlets scrum-half has played a starring role for Bristol in the English second-tier Championship this season and is heading back to Wales to reignite his international ambitions.
Has been a key figure in Bristol’s charge Aviva Premiership promotion charge this season.