The movers and shakers set to change the line-ups at our regions
THE probability is that at some point this decade we are going to learn who George North will be playing for next season.
But what of the other moves in Welsh rugby and how they will affect the starting line-ups of the regions next term?
MARK ORDERS has looked at each of the four professional teams and come up with potentially their strongest first XVs for 2018-19...
DRAGONS
BALFOUR Beatty might think twice about taking on the kind of rebuilding programme that is going on at the Dragons.
It is set to be a huge season for Bernard Jackman at the East Wales region, with the Irishman buying himself time by suggesting this campaign was being used to assess his current squad and start pulling in talent for next term.
There could be a number of close calls for him to make if he wants to field his strongest line-up.
Might Hallam Amos be considered a full-back instead of wing, thereby switching with Jordan Williams? Or indeed might Williams look to make a play for the No.10 jersey? If he does, the likelihood is Gavin Henson, Josh Lewis, Angus O’Brien and Arwel Robson would argue the point.
Similarly, Brok Harris and Lloyd Fairbrother are unlikely to accept being deputies in the front row, but the Dragons will hope they can get the best out of Ryan Bevingon and perhaps take him back to the level he played at in his early days at the Ospreys, when Jonathan Humphreys rhapsodised about his potential.
Leon Brown is still learning at tight-head but is a prop for the modern game, one of who acknowledges that his work doesn’t end at the scrum. If the Dragons can develop the 6ft 3in, 19st 11lb youngster fully they will have a serious proposition on their hands.
Nic Cudd, James Benjamin and Aaron Wainwright are also good enough to seriously contest the back-row spots.
Oh, and Richard Hibbard: he isn’t the type to accept being anyone’s deputy. Expect a fierce battle, then, with Elliot Dee for the No. 2 shirt.
Overall, the Dragons maybe could do with still more ballast at the sharp end and behind the scrum. But if they can get Ross Moriarty, Harrison Keddie and Ollie Griffiths onto the field, that would be some back row. Possible first XV: Jordan Williams; Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt; Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Ryan Bevington, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Rynard Landman, Ross Moriarty, Harrison Keddie, Ollie Griffiths.
CARDIFF BLUES
SO far there has been little publicly confirmed recruitment activity at the Blues as far as their playing squad goes.
The word is they are making a serious play for George North and if they can succeed there then of course the big man would slot into the startingline-up.
There is nothing between Tomos Williams and Lloyd Williams at scrum-half, while there is an embarrassment of riches in the back row. Indeed, some Blues supporters would probably start by picking Ellis Jenkins and then find two others to play alongside him.
Olly Robinson is another Arms Park favourite who has been a positive this season.
But Sam Warburton should be available from September and he is world-class. Josh Navidi? He has shown his quality with Wales, even if Blues supporters were already aware of it. Nick Williams? He may be getting on but remains a battering-ram ball carrier and is up there with the best when it comes to turning over opposition ball.
The Blues look in need of a topnotch specialist lock and maybe could benefit from front-row reinforcements, but there is talent in their squad and Matthew Morgan’s ability as a runner is unlikely to be wasted. Possible first XV: Gareth Anscombe; Blaine Scully/George North, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Owen Lane; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Gethin Jenkins, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Nick Williams, Sam Warburton.
OSPREYS
THE Ospreys are undergoing big changes with Ashley Beck, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Kieron Fonotia and Dmitri Arhip all departing. Most of that bunch have been immense for the Liberty Stadium region over the years.
But nothing lasts for ever and a midfield combination of Scott Williams and Owen Watkin is none too shabby, for starters, with James Hook also in the mix.
It is a big opportunity for Aled