New faces, rumours and targets... how strong will regions be for next season?
CARDIFF RFC once announced the signings of four Wales internationals on the same day, leading one writer to style them as the Manchester United of Welsh rugby.
Lucrative contracts were clasped around the wrists of Leigh Davies, Rob Howley, Justin Thomas and Dai Young.
It was a spectacular statement of intent by the Arms Park club, increasing the number of internationals on their books to 20. They still finished only fourth in the following season’s Welsh Premier Division, mind, 21 points behind winners Pontypridd.
But on paper their squad looked something else.
There hasn’t been anything to rival such activity in Welsh rugby this virusaffected and cash-strapped summer.
But some of the squads still look to be of significant strength if their rumoured targets and expected acquisitions are pushed over the line.
We look at the strongest sides the four regions might be able to field...
SCARLETS
The west Walians have been the strongest rugby region for a number of years and it’s hard to see much changing on that front in the coming season.
Hadleigh Parkes’ departure and the exit of Kieran Fonotia will pose challenges in midfield, with Parkes, in particular, an outstanding servant of the Llanelli-based region.
But the Scarlets are bringing in talented pair Tyler Morgan and Johnny Williams to top up an existing pool of centres that includes Steff Hughes and Jonathan Davies.
The addition of defence scatterer Sione Kalamafoni at No.8 will ensure the team are well covered in that area throughout the season, with Uzair Cassiem and Blade Thomson also on hand.
Cassiem has been excellent so far this term so it will be up to the other two to match his levels if they want regular rugby. Kalamafoni, if he rediscovers his form of two seasons ago, is capable of getting there.
The Scarlets have also pulled in Sam Costelow, presumably with an eye to the future.
He played so well at times during the U20 Six Nations there was talk of him being propelled into Wales’ senior squad.
But that’s Welsh rugby for you. At 19, the teenager is still in development mode.
It isn’t out of the question that he could hurry along. More likely is that he uses his first season at the Scarlets to get up to speed in the senior game, with Rhys Patchell, Dan Jones and Angus O’Brien also in the mix. Scarlets’ strongest XV could be... Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Sione Kalamafoni.
DRAGONS
The Dragons could be the most interesting Welsh region of all to follow in 2020-21, if all their expected signings and rumoured targets come off.
Jonah Holmes should prove a major plus in the back three, with the Wales international possessing pace, strength and ambition. He hasn’t rocked up in east Wales for the benefit of his health. He wants to boost his chances of international rugby and help the Dragons reach the next level under Dean Ryan.
Nick Tompkins and Joe Tomane? Neither of the pair has been confirmed as a new signing at the time of writing, but both are excellent players. The mood music suggests Tompkins will figure on a loan arrangement from Saracens. Some doubt the value of such a package, so it will be intriguing to see how the Dragons make it work, with Tompkins likely to be away for much of the time with Wales.
But there is no doubt he is a top player.
The departures of Cory Hill and Tyler Morgan are significant, while during the depths of winter, the probability is more than a few out east will reflect on what a fit Nic Cudd brought to the table when fully fit. Make no mistake: at his best the fearless Cudd was a wonderful player for the Dragons.
Expect Taine Basham to prosper this term, with Ollie Griffiths to provide competition.
Just maybe, Rio Dyer will prove the player he has shown glimpses of consistently becoming.
Will Rowlands? There are rumours he could be on his way to Rodney Parade. If that happens, it will be a major plus, for he is a hard worker who could fire up the Dragons’ pack. Dragons’ strongest XV could be... Jordan Williams; Ashton Hewitt, Nick Tompkins, Joe Tomane, Jonah Holmes; Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams; Brok Harris, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Will Rowlands, Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty.
CARDIFF BLUES
The Blues appear to have been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis amid reports that they could face revenue reductions of between £4m and £6m, with their Arms Park home playing a supporting role to the Dragon’s Heart field hospital at the Principality Stadium next door.
But the acquisition of Cory Hill and Rhys Carre should beef up their pack.
Hill is a leader who always turns up and he will galvanise the Blues in the front five.
Carre may not be the finished article, but he is developing all the time and if the Cardiff team can realise his potential they could have some player on their hands.
The return from long-term injury of Ellis Jenkins, last seen on a rugby pitch in November 2018, should also help lift John Mulvihill’s side, while it will be fascinating to see how Sam Moore goes.
Not for nothing did the 6ft 6in son of Steve Moore have a big reputation while at Sale.
But both he and Jenkins have been missing from front-line rugby for some time: they could both need time to work up the gears. Cardiff Blues’ strongest XV could be... Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-lo, Willis Halaholo, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Ellis Jenkins, Sam Moore.
OSPREYS
The 2019-20 season will go down as the most challenging season in the Ospreys’ history, with the squad not proving anywhere near strong enough to deal with the tide of injuries that washed over them and the unavailability for long periods of their Wales players.
A historic budgetary squeeze caught up with the Liberty Stadium region and some of the setbacks they suffered were embarrassing, no more so than the 44-0 hiding they took off the Scarlets over Christmas.
Even Dan Evans, Mr Durable for so much of his time at the region, found himself off limits for long stretches.
All concerned at the region will want to look forward instead of back.
They will hope Gareth Anscombe returns early in the campaign from the knee injury he suffered last August, otherwise youngsters Luke Price and Cai Evans will be manning the front line at fly-half. Could Mat Protheroe do a job there at some point?
Protheroe has gas and class and could prove a significant asset, wherever he plays.
He has been brought in as a back three man and will offer a challenge at full-back or wing.
When the Ospreys are at fullstrength, mind, he will need to go some to either relieve Dan Evans of the No. 15 shirt or take a wing berth off Keelan Giles.
New coach Toby Booth will be desperate for Rhys Webb to turn back the clock to the kind of form he showed in 2014-15, the best season of his career. Webb scored 18 tries in that campaign, proving dangerous every time he took the field.
Does he still have the appetite to stand out at regional level?
He has certainly said the right things since re-signing for the Ospreys.
If he clicks, it will be huge for the Ospreys.
Keep an eye, too, on young lock Rhys Davies, who arrives from Bath with plenty of admirers, while Nicky Thomas will have a point to prove as he looks to kick-start his career.
Oh, and Morgan Morris: he had a strong first season with the Ospreys and can be expected to kick on in the new campaign. Potentially, he could go a long way.
The Ospreys’ strongest XV could be... Dan Evans; George North, Owen Watkin, Scott Williams, Keelan Giles; Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Scott Otten, Ma’afu Fia, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric. Olly Cracknell.