HOW THE REGIONS MAY LINE UP NEXT CAMPAIGN
IT’S been something of an annus horribilis for Welsh rugby. The national team has floundered, while the four professional sides have struggled both at home and in Europe. On the continental front, it was another whitewash, while in the United Rugby Championship, all four finished in the bottom half of the table.
Change is needed now more than ever, with issues right at the top of the Welsh game needing addressing urgently. The fact the regions have been in the dark about budgets for next year means that turning the corner will be undeniably harder for them.
Regardless, business is still there to be done and the four sides have made some big changes to their squads. Some 41 players have been released from the respective teams so far, while a number of significant signings have been made.
As is ever the case, how often the four regions see their strongest sides out on the park, with international commitments, is the biggest issue, although there will be no direct clashes between URC and Wales games next season. With that in mind, here’s the strongest teams each region can field next season.
CARDIFF
It’s been a tough season in the capital.
Highlights such as home victories over Leinster and Glasgow and isolation-defying performances against Toulouse and Harlequins were few and far between, with a series of disappointing results the norm. Worse than that was the application at times, with fans regularly questioning the environment.
Personnel changes might go a little way to changing that, but frank discussions are needed. Particularly as the inability to clear the decks completely due to contract extensions being handed out during the pandemic makes changing things tricky.
In all honesty, it’s probably about changing backroom staff as much as it is changing squad members. Many of the coaching ticket that worked under John Mulvihill remain.
In terms of playing options, backrow depth remains the pleasing thing for the Arms Park side. James Botham, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Olly Robinson - providing he stays - don’t fit into this 23, but will all play important roles week to week.
The additions of Liam Williams, Taulupe Faletau and Thomas Young add international quality - but it’s questionable how much they’ll see of the first two. Front-five depth remains another concern, despite the form of Rhys Carre and the
addition of Lopeti Timani, they’re still a little light.
STARTING XV: Liam Williams; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-lo, Willis Halaholo, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Kirby Myhill, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Lopeti Timani, Josh Navidi, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau. Reps: Kristian Dacey, Corey Domachowski, Dmitri Arhip, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Theo Cabango.
DRAGONS
It’s set to be a summer of change for the Dragons. It’s hard to say it’s not needed.
On the back of their worst season ever, the doors at Rodney Parade have effectively come off their hinges with incomings and outgoings. There’s even talk that Dean Ryan could move upstairs to allow for a coaching change.
On paper though, this Dragons side will be stronger than the last. The additions of Max Clark and
Sio Tomkinson add depth to the backline, while the signing of JJ Hanrahan and the emergence of Will Reed provide much-needed competition for Sam Davies at flyhalf.
The former Ospreys man has largely had autonomy of the jersey since joining, but this season his best performances have come after being brought out of the starting XV. Getting away from the need to start him every week can only be a good thing.
In the forwards, the Dragons can field an entire pack of Welsh internationals. The addition of Rob Evans has raised eyebrows given he was part of a Grand Slam-winning side only three years ago. However, his status in the game has fallen since then.
If the Dragons can get a tune out of him, it could be a decent signing.
STARTING XV: Jordan Williams; Ashton Hewitt, Max Clark, Anuerin Owen, Sio Tomkinson, Sam Davies, Gonzalo Bertranou; Rob Evans, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands,
Ben Carter, Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright. Reps: Bradley Roberts, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sean Lonsdale, Ollie Griffiths, Rhodri Williams, Will Reed, Jack Dixon.
OSPREYS
Unlike the other regions, the Ospreys haven’t announced their departures yet, but it’s unlikely to be a lengthy list. It’s largely been about retention, with only Jack Walsh coming in from Exeter Chiefs. Instead, the onus will be on getting the quality they have on the park at the same time.
Long-term injuries to Wales internationals Gareth Anscombe, George North, Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric in recent years have hindered their options at times. Having just three of the four back in recent weeks has seen a marked improvement in the Ospreys’ form.
Having struggled to score tries, they finished with three consecutive four-try bonus points. Building on that attacking platform will be the key heading into next year.
STARTING XV: Michael Collins; Alex Cuthbert, George North,
Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles, Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith,
Dewi Lake, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin
Tipuric, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris. Reps: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas,
Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Stephen Myler, Mat Protheroe.
SCARLETS
It’s been an interesting first year for Dwayne Peel in the job.
There’s been something of a hangover at Parc y Scarlets ever since Wayne Pivac was handed the Wales job. Things have stagnated a little, with senior players moving beyond their peak and progression stalling as a result.
As such, there’s probably a bit of a rebuild on the cards for Peel. Getting the likes of Ryan Conbeer, Tom Rogers and Sam Costelow regular starts has certainly helped, but there’s probably more to be done if Peel is to kickstart a new era in Llanelli.
Vaea Fifita is the only fresh addition to date - with Dragons hooker Taylor Davies extending his stay having been on loan there this year - and he’ll hopefully prove as shrewd a signing as fellow Tongan Sam Lousi.
STARTING XV: Tom Rogers, Johnny McNicholl, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Samson Lee, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Aaron Shingler, Josh Macleod, Sione Kalamafoni. Reps: Ryan Elias, Steffan Thomas, WillGriff John, Morgan Jones, Tomas Lezana, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Patchell, Scott Williams.