With the United Rugby Championship season fast approaching, the regions now have their squads well and truly set.
In reality, the transfer business has been completed for a while but, after some pre-season run-outs, we have now had our first glimpse of most of the new faces.
Given the financial implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been no surprise to see more players leave all four regions than come in.
But that just puts more emphasis on ensuring the signings are of sufficient quality. So which signings look the best heading into the new season?
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Now, of course, the Ospreys signing Welsh international Tomas Francis and the Dragons picking up Will Rowlands are both noteworthy.
But they have been left off the list below as they are likely to spend much of their season away with the national squad. We’ve focused on quality signings which are likely to be with their respective teams for much of the season.
Admittedly, some players listed could well come into Wayne Pivac’s thinking but, as things stand, are on the fringes at best.
5. SCOTT WILLIAMS (Scarlets)
When every cylinder is firing, you can't overstate Williams’ qualities.
At 97kg, Williams possesses the power to bang it up the middle but has that subtlety to his game – the offloads, the tactical kicking – which creates a package that is very difficult to defend.
Speaking of which, he is uncompromising without the ball and is vastly experienced with 59 Wales caps to his name. And let’s face it, were it not for injuries, he’d boast far more.
Those injuries remain the only question mark, though. His three years with the Ospreys were completely wrecked by hamstring, back and shoulder problems. All were incredibly frustrating because when Williams took the field, he was often one of the best performers on it.
Had his back not broken down in 2019, he would have been nailed on for Wales’ World Cup squad, which speaks to his continued quality.
If he stays fit, the prospect of him reuniting with Jonathan Davies in that Scarlets midfield is an exciting one. Fingers crossed he gets a good run of games next term.
If anyone in Welsh rugby deserves a bit of luck, it’s him.
4. COREY BALDWIN (Scarlets)
There was a real sense of disappointment when Baldwin’s move from the Scarlets to Exeter was confirmed in early 2020.
“Corey’s one of those guys… as soon as we knew he was on the market, both myself and [head coach] Ali Hepher sat down and said: ‘This guy has something special’,” beamed Exeter boss Rob Baxter at the time.
Even at the age of 21, Baldwin had been a fairly regular fixture in the Scarlets’ side and was viewed as a long-term successor to Jonathan Davies, though he can also be found on the wing.
Opportunities never materialised at Sandy Park and, after one year, Baldwin is back where he started and it’ll be intriguing to see where he fits into Dwayne Peel’s plans.
He is unlikely to get opportunities in the midfield outside of international windows with the aforementioned Davies, Scott Williams, Steff Hughes and Tyler Morgan also vying for those spots.
There is no shortage of competition out wide, either, though. So forcing his way into the side will be the first challenge.
But his talent is undeniable. He was tipped for big things before he left and Wales boss Pivac is a known admirer.
And he’s still only 22 with his best years ahead of him, even if he doesn't have an immediate impact next season. This appears to be good business by the Scarlets.
3. MICHAEL COLLINS (Ospreys)
There was no shortage of disappointment when Collins decided to leave the Scarlets after one season in 2016 to return to New Zealand when the Auckland-based Blues expressed an interest.
Collins is eligible to play for Wales through his grandfather, who is from Llanelli, and the utility back impressed during his stint down west.
He did not look every inch a Test player at that time but the signs suggesting he could cut it at the top level were certainly there.
After spells with the Blues and the Highlanders, the former New Zealand under-20s star is now back in Welsh rugby with the Ospreys.
In his pre-season appearances – and yes, it is only pre-season – Collins appears to have retained the skills and trickery which made him such a hit at Parc y Scarlets five years ago.
We will need to see more before it is possible to start proclaiming that the 28-year-old is an option for Pivac but the Wales boss will certainly be watching with interest.
Regardless, particularly with his versatility, Collins is likely to become a key part of Toby Booth’s plans.
Pick your greatest Wales XV now
2. JAC MORGAN (Ospreys)
The Scarlets’ decision to let Jac Morgan walk out of the door was the most surprising turn of events in this year’s transfer season, and for him to join arch-rivals Ospreys will have stung even more.
Anyone who has worked with Morgan has nothing but good things to say about him.
Former Scarlets forwards coach Ioan Cunningham told WalesOnline earlier this year: “Jac has a great mix. He can really kick on and be a future captain for a team, someone that you can build a team around.
“I also think he’ll kick on to international honours.
“It’s one that the Scarlets have lost out on in my opinion. They could have grown him into a future captain of the side. Unfortunately they’ve lost him to the Ospreys.”
The former Wales under-20s skipper has taken to professional rugby like a duck to water. He snaffled 14 turnovers in a breakthrough 2020/21 season, which put him joint top of that stat in the Guinness PRO14.
Former Scarlets boss Glenn Delaney said they did everything they could to keep Morgan but, evidently, it was not enough.
The Scarlets do not make many missteps as an organisation but letting the openside, who looked nailed on to become the face of the region in the next three or four years, walk out the door is inexplicable.
1. RHYS PRIESTLAND (Cardiff)
Cardiff pulled off what should be deemed the business of the summer by bringing Priestland back to Welsh rugby.
He was a much-loved figure at The Rec and still possesses the talents to do the job at the top level, let there be no fears about that.
Priestland returns to Wales with all the ball-handling and kicking skills which earned him 50 caps for his country between 2011 and 2017. And he now boasts even more experience, having spent six years in the English Premiership with Bath.
At 34, he brings an air of maturity and calmness to the party. In short, he is the complete package.
His battle for the No. 10 jersey at the Arms Park with Jarrod Evans will be fascinating this term. The younger Evans will surely improve as a result of working with Priestland, but will the latter be taking starts from the former?
It could well work out that way. And what about Wales? Now that he is eligible again, if Priestland starts fast this term he will almost certainly emerge as the front-runner to face the All Blacks with Dan Biggar and Callum Sheedy unavailable. Though Gareth Anscombe’s progress will be worth noting.
If Priestland does catch Pivac’s eye, then suddenly Cardiff will be seeing less of him. Clearly, that will impact his value to his new employers but it remains a brilliant signing.
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