The incredible 88 Welsh-qualified players attached to English clubs
LOOK through the team-sheets for any club game in England and it’s a fair bet you’ll come across a few Welsh names.
So, just how many of them are there plying their trade across the border?
Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS has looked at the clubs in the top two flights and has come up with 88 Welsh-qualified players who will be on their books next season.
AMPTHILL
Syd Blackmore: Son of former Wales prop Steve Blackmore. A flanker who played his junior rugby with Llandaff RFC, went on to captain Hartpury College and was on the books of Bath.
Henri Williams: A 24-year-old second row who has been on loan at Paul Turner’s team from the Dragons. He’s the son of former Bridgend and Cardiff favourite Owain Williams.
Gavin Williams: North Walian scrum-half, once on the books of Wasps. His brother Rhys plays rugby league for London Broncos and his sister Sian was Wales’ first professional female rugby player. BATH Taulupe Faletau: The Wales and Lions No 8 was signed from the Dragons in 2016, but his time at The Rec has been hampered by a series of injuries. He’s missed the bulk of this season through two arm breaks.
Jamie Roberts: Has been plying his trade outside of Wales since 2013, with spells at Racing 92 and Harlequins followed by last summer’s move to Bath. The 94-cap centre has been a midfield regular this term.
Rhys Priestland: Back in January, it looked as the 48-cap former Scarlets outside-half would be leaving Bath at the end of the season. But then, in April, he agreed a new two-year deal.
Aled Brew: After a tough two years at the Dragons, the international wing joined Bath on a short-term deal in September 2016 and went on to revive his career in the west country.
Jack Davies: The 23-year-old former Cowbridge Comprehensive pupil was previously with the Cardiff Blues Academy and then Bristol. A back-five forward, he has represented Wales Students, as well as Spain U18s!
Max Clark: Born in Bridgend, but has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U20s levels. The 23-year-old centre signed a new contract with the club in March.
Archie Griffin: Part of the Exiles programme, prop Griffin appeared for Wales U18s last year while representing Marlborough College. He’s moving up to the senior Bath Academy this summer.
Rhys Davies: The 6ft 6ins Swanseaborn second row has appeared for Wales at U18 and U20 level. BEDFORD Huw Worthington: The 24-year-old back rower from farming stock in Montgomeryshire attracted the attentions of a number of clubs with his performances for RGC, but it was Bedford he chose a year or so ago.
Lewis Robling: Made 39 appearances for the Dragons at centre and fly-half. The Newport-born 27-year-old spent three seasons with Jersey and one with Ealing Trailfinders before joining Bedford.
Ed Taylor: The elder brother of the Dragons’ Huw Taylor and, like him, a back-five forward. They qualify for Wales through a grandparent.
Scott Jenkins: Signed for next season from the Scarlets, the 21-yearold prop has represented Wales at U16s, U18s and U20s level. BRISTOL Callum Sheedy: Born and bred in Cardiff, he moved to the west country to attend Millfield School and signed for Bristol in 2014. Has really impressed at fly-half in the Premiership this season.
Ryan Edwards: Only had the one game for the Dragons prior to joining Bristol in 2012. The 28-year-old Newport-born wing has made 82 appearances for them, scoring 25 tries.
Toby Fricker: The winger made a surprise move from Ebbw Vale in March after shining in the Welsh Premiership. The 23-year-old former Southampton University student had been one of the most consistent performers in the semi-pro game after Ebbw Vale spotted him playing for the Welsh Academicals.
Harry Randall: Grew up in the Amman Valley and captained Wales U16s. But was born in Slough and switched allegiance to the land of his birth, playing for England U20s. The 21-year-old scrum-half has made 17 Premiership appearances this season, having joined from Gloucester.
Dan Thomas: The former Wales U20s flanker has been in the west country since leaving the Scarlets in 2014. Made the move from Gloucester in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength at Bristol.
Matt Protheroe: Born in Swansea, the full-back represented England at U18s and U20s level. Another who arrived from Gloucester. Had a year out with knee ligament damage, but made his full Premiership debut in last month’s win over Saracens.
Jack Capon: Part of the Welsh Exiles programme, 21-year-old back rower joined Bristol in 2016. Has been playing BUCS rugby for Exeter University.
Nick English: The tight-head prop from Caldicot has been named in the Wales U20s squad for next month’s World Junior Championship in Argentina.
Ioan Lloyd: Has signed a four-year deal with Bristol. Born and bred in Cardiff, he’s a richly gifted teenage fly-half who starred for Wales in the recent Six Nations U18s festival. CORNISH PIRATES Rhodri Davies: From Crymych in Pembrokeshire, the 27-year-old scrum-half has been signed from the Dragons, having had previous spells with the Scarlets and Rotherham.
Alex Schwarz: Bodelwyddan-born, he played his early rugby at Mold RFC and then linked up with RGC, winning honours for Wales U18s. The 26-yearold scrum-half has also played for Italian side Rugby Colorno, joining the Pirates last year. COVENTRY Gerard Ellis: English-born, but eligible for Wales through his father and was capped at age-grade level. Now 26, the loose-head prop joined from the Dragons in February,
Will Owen: The centre was previously a member of the Dragons academy during which time he also appeared for Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys in the Welsh Premiership. DONCASTER Rory Pitman: Now 29, the Bridgendborn back rower had spells with the Ospreys and the Scarlets, as well as playing for Swansea and his hometown club. Joined Doncaster on a short-term deal last year and has impressed enough to be handed a further contract for next season.
Jack Roberts: His time at Cardiff Blues was plagued by injuries following his arrival from Leicester. The north Walian centre will be hoping for better luck in Yorkshire.
Lloyd Hayes: Hails from Flintshire and played his junior rugby with Mold RFC before catching the eye as a hard-running centre with Chester, earning a move to Rotherham and then switching to the Knights.
Joe Sproston: This north Walian prop spent five years with Paul Turner’s current club Ampthill before moving to Doncaster in 2015. A strong carrier who can pack down either side.
Owen Evans: Son of former Wales prop Ricky Evans, the Cardigan-born loosehead, now 30, has had previous stints with the Scarlets, Dragons and Harlequins. EALING TRAILFINDERS Steve Shingler: Left Cardiff Blues in March to join French Division Two side Stade Montois on a short-team deal and then secured a deal with Ealing for next season. Max Davies: Born on Merseyside and has played for England U18s, U19s and U20s, but this former Newcastle lock is Welsh-qualified. Kieran Murphy: Made 41 appearances in the Scarlets back row before arriving at Ealing via Brive and London Welsh. Born in Aberdeen, but moved to Swansea when he was two. Will Harries: The ex-Dragons winger made his Wales debut against New Zealand in June 2010, winning three
caps. Born in Cardiff, studied at Millfield.
James Cordy-Redden: Has Welsh grandparents and played on the wing for the Welsh Academicals and Welsh Students, as well as Cross Keys. EXETER
Tomas Francis: Qualifies for Wales through his Abercrave-born grandmother and now has 40 caps. Able to stay with Exeter through repeat renewal oprions in his contract. York-born, he had earlier spells with Doncaster and London Scottish.
Alex Cuthbert: Has made 14 appearances for the club, scoring two tries, since arriving from Cardiff Blues last summer. Born in Gloucester, he won 47 caps for Wales, qualifying through his Wrexham-born mother.
Phil Dollman: The Caerphilly-born full-back been a fine servant for Exeter since joining them from the Dragons in 2009, making 231 appearances.
Sean Lonsdale: Went to school in Colwyn Bay and caught the eye at lock for RGC before making the move to Sandy Park in 2016. Figures mainly in the back row for the Chiefs.
Tom Price: Born in Leamington Spa and represented England at U20s, but Welsh qualified and has been with the Scarlets for the past three years. But from next season he will be adding to Exeter’s second row contingent. GLOUCESTER Owen Williams: Faces a lengthy lay-off after picking up a knee injury in March. The former Scarlets fly-half moved to Kingsholm in 2017 after four successful years with Leicester. Last Wales cap was 18 months ago.
Gareth Evans: The 27-year-old back rower was born in Swindon, but has a Welsh father. Has made 84 appearances for the Cherry & Whites since debuting in 2011.
Louis Rees-Zammit: A product of Llandaff RFC, the 18-year-old winger became the youngest Gloucester player to appear in a league match when he faced Bath last month. There are high hopes for him and, happily, he is committed to Wales.
Lewis Ludlow: Qualifies for Wales through his grandfather and trained with the U18s squad, but the Bedfordborn back rower went on to represent England at age group.
Harry Fry: Schooled in Radyr and started out at Pentyrch RFC, but made his debut at prop for England U18s earlier this year having gone down the well-trodden Hartpury/Gloucester Academy path.
Stephen Varney: Born and bred in Pembokeshire, yet has played at scrum-half for Italy U18s, who he qualifies for through his mother. He’s the son of former Neath flanker Adrian Varney.
Alex Morgan: The Cardiff-born winger was in the Wales U20s Six Nations squad this year. Has made one senior appearance for Gloucester.
Lloyd Evans: Born in Gloucester and has played for England at U18s and U20s, but the 23-year-old fly-half’s father is Welsh.
Tommy Mathews: The centre played alongside Rees-Zammit – and against Varney – for Wales U18s in the recent Six Nations festival. HARLEQUINS Scott Baldwin: After the best part of
a decade with the Ospreys and 34 caps for Wales, the 30-year-old Bridgendborn hooker has decided to head for pastures new at The Stoop.
Joe Marchant: Born in Hampshire and won the U20s World Cup with England, but the 22-year-old is thought to have a Welsh family background.
Harry Barlow: A centre who helped England beat Wales in an U19s international in Bridgend last month, but also Welsh-qualified through a grandparent. HARTPURY RFC Jordan Liney: A former Wales U18s hooker who was previously with the Bristol Academy, having studied at Hartpury College JERSEY Tom Williams: The younger brother of international scrum-half Lloyd Williams, winger Tom is heading for island life after spells with the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues.
Luc Jones: The son of ex-Dragons boss Lyn Jones, who he played under at Rodney Parade, this 24-year-old Neath-born scrum-half has also been at Harlequins and Richmond.
Rory Bartle: Withdrew from the U20s squad in March 2015, so as not to tie himself to Wales. The Pontypridd-born back rower was previously skipper at London Scottish. LEICESTER Jonah Holmes: The back three man made his Wales debut last November and was part of the recent Six Nations squad. Qualifies through his grandparents and signed a new Leicester contract just before his first Wales call-up.
Tommy Reffell: Has captained Wales U18s and U20s. The flanker played his junior rugby at Pencoed RFC and was part of the Ospreys U16s set-up. Joined Leicester in 2017.
Sam Costelow: Another product of Pencoed RFC, who his father and grandfather also both played for. The gifted fly-half is part of Wales’ Junior World Championship squad.
Joe Heyes: An intriguing one this. The 20-year-old prop was born in Nottingham and has starred for England U20s. But he’s the son of Swansea-born professional football goalkeeper Darren Heyes and the grandson of former Swansea City goalkeeper, George Heyes.
Greg Bateman: Born in Surrey and represented England at age group, but the front rower is believed to be Welsh qualified through his grandmother. LONDON SCOTTISH Joe Luca Smith: Comfortable at both full back and wing, Smith arrived from Newcastle University on trial and was then signed up. Eligible for Wales through his grandfather NEWCASTLE Gareth Owen: After two years with Leicester, the Bridgend-born centre is heading for pastures new, having signed for relegated Newcastle. Made more than 100 regional appearances in Wales, during spells with the Ospreys and Scarlets.
Johnny Williams: Born in Reading and has represented England at U17s, U18s and U20s. But his father, Gareth, is from North Wales. A stylish centre, he joined the Falcons from London Irish.
Jack Payne: He was born in Darwin, Australia, and now plays his rugby in the north east of England. But he’s Welsh qualified, being brought over from Queensland Reds by the Scarlets as a flanker in 2014. Now packs down at prop. NORTHAMPTON Dan Biggar: The Wales fly-half has made it clear he is really enjoying life in the English Premiership following his move from the Ospreys and he has played a big part in the Saints’ push for the play-offs. NOTTINGHAM Llewellyn Jones: Came up through the ranks at Haverfordwest and made four appearances for the Scarlets, while also packing down at lock for
Carmarthen Quins. Previously with Ealing Trailfindeers.
David Williams: The winger scored two tries in Ebbw Vale’s Premiership final victory over Pontypridd in 2016 before heading for Robin Hood country for his studies. SALE
WillGriff John: On the books of Cardiff Blues for a spell, the tight-head prop from Ferndale spent two seasons with Northlands in New Zealand before joining Doncaster. Moved to Sale in 2017 and has become a regular fixture, making 51 appearances in the past two seasons and earning a new contract through until 2021.
George Nott: Born in Llandudno and educated in Chester, the 23-year-old is primarily a lock who can also cover the flank. Has represented England at U18s and U20s.
Joe Jones: The 23-year-old former Cardiff Blues prop was signed from Perpignan and has been involved with the first team quite a lot this season. He’s from Mold, in north Wales.
Sam Moore: Has represented England, but has been wanted by Wales. Born in Cardiff, the 20-year-old No 8 is the son of former international second row Steve Moore. SARACENS Liam Williams: Became just the 11th Welshman to win the European Cup on the weekend. Made the move from the Scarlets in 2017 and has established himself as one of the most potent attackers in the English Premiership.
Rhys Carre: Hit the headlines when it was revealed he was leaving Cardiff Blues for Saracens and then again when he was named in Wales’ World Cup training squad. The 21-year-old prop is a former Cowbridge Comprehensive pupil.
Dominic Day: Pembrokeshire product Day won three caps for Wales in 2015 when he was a Bath player. Now 33, the former Scarlets lock joined Saracens two years ago.
Tom Griffiths: Played under Mike Rayer at Bedford before joining Saracens. The 23-year-old centre joined London Scottish on loan in January. WASPS Thomas Young: The Aberdare flanker has excelled under his father Dai at Wasps, having arrived via Gloucester after being released by Cardiff Blues. Unlucky to have won just three Wales caps. WORCESTER Ashley Beck: Won seven caps in the centre for Wales between 2012 and 2013. Moved from the Ospreys last summer, but had only made four appearances when a broken leg sustained in October ended his season.
Sam Lewis: The former Ospreys openside flanker moved to the Sixways Stadium in 2015 and has proved a real hit, with his tackling and turnover work. Has made 67 appearances for Worcester, scoring 11 tries.
Luke Scully: A fly-half who has represented Wales U18s. Joined the Warriors Senior Academy last year having come through the Ospreys age group and studied at Neath Port Talbot College. Started well in the A league before injury struck.
Callum Morris: Played at scrum-half for Wales U18s and was previously with the Dragons Academy. Studied at Lymm High School and joined the Warriors Senior Academy last year. YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE Marc Thomas: Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he played 40 games on the loosehead for the Ospreys over four seasons before moving, first to Jersey, and then to Leeds.
George Watkins: Had a brief spell at Cardiff Blues before returning to Bristol where he was a prolific try-scorer on the wing. Another to arrive at Headingley via Jersey.
Trystan Lloyd: From Carmarthen, this back rower spent three years with Llanelli before moving to Leeds to go to university, gaining a chance to continue his rugby career with Yorkshire Carnegie.
Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier: The Cardiffian scrum-half is a former Saracens academy player who had two spells in France, with Le Pays d’Aix and Nevers, as well as a stint at Worcester.