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Wales Online
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Steffan Thomas

The Welsh players whose futures will be decided over the coming weeks and where it would leave their Wales careers

With Welsh rugby's protracted contractual freeze having finally come to an end the four regions are now in a position to offer new deals to players.

Many players such as Joe Hawkins, Will Rowlands, and Ross Moriarty have already decided to leave Wales.

But with Welsh rugby attempting to make itself more financially stable, players' wages are being driven down while the budgets of the four professional sides are also dropping. That makes staying put in Wales less appealing.

READ MORE: Dragons line up move for Welsh scrum-half from rival region

WalesOnline take a look at the players whose futures will be announced in due course.

Jarrod Evans

An announcement on the Cardiff playmaker's future must surely be imminent.

WalesOnline broke the news in March that Evans had decided to leave the Welsh capital to sign for former English champions Harlequins.

Cardiff director of rugby David Young confirmed it last week when he said: "It's well documented Jarrod is on his way to West London (Harlequins)."

Given he only has eight caps this move will make him ineligible for Wales under the 25 cap ruling unless the Professional Rugby Board introduce a regional appearance clause.

Dillon Lewis

Despite links with Harlequins emerging after Evans', Wales tighthead Lewis was confirmed by the Premiership club before his childhood friend.

The 50 cap Wales prop said he was "over the moon" after his move to the Stoop was confirmed.

But unlike Evans, Lewis will remain eligible to represent his country given he has won 50 caps for Wales.

Nicky Smith

The Ospreys loosehead has been tuning other props left, right, and centre in the scrums for the past few seasons.

It's no exaggeration to claim the 29-year-old is one of the form loosehead props in the northern hemisphere with his scrummaging, work over the ball, and explosive ball carrying catching the eye.

This hasn't been enough to persuade the Wales selectors to put him in the squad on a regular basis but his form hasn't gone unnoticed by clubs in England.

Northampton and Exeter Chiefs were interested in his signature but WalesOnline understands Bristol Bears and Saracens are the front runners.

Signing a new contract with the Ospreys appears a long shot, and an announcement on his future won't be too far away.

Dane Blacker

The uncapped Scarlets scrum-half, who was in Wales' autumn squad, is set to join the Dragons.

Blacker is an explosive player who keeps opposition defences honest while his game management has improved no end since joining the Scarlets from Cardiff back in 2019.

He will hope to improve even further under the guidance of Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan.

Teddy Williams

The big second-row, who was a member of Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad, is close to a move to Exeter Chiefs.

But WalesOnline understands a U-turn might about to take place given Williams would become ineligible to represent Wales should he sign a contract with the Chiefs.

It's in the balance but there remains hope he could stay at Cardiff.

Ben Thomas

The Ospreys reportedly had been in talks with talented utility back at a time when Stephen Myler is finishing, and there’s uncertainty over Gareth Anscombe's future.

But Cardiff director of rugby David Young is confident the 24-year-old will commit his future to the Blue & Blacks.

Good news for Cardiff fans given Jarrod Evans is joining Harlequins and Rhys Priestland is set to retire.

Ryan Elias

There was a lot of interest in the Wales hooker from some big French clubs with Racing 92 keen on the 28-year-old.

But it seems likely the Wales hooker will stay in Llanelli which will come as a relief to Scarlets fans given Ken Owens is approaching the end of his career.

Rhys Webb

To cut a long story short the veteran Welsh international wants to stay at the Ospreys but could be a victim of the austerity which has been implemented by the WRU to make the regional game financially sustainable.

Sources close to the player indicate he is unhappy with the contract which has been offered by the Ospreys.

Webb has a few irons in the fire with a number of Japanese clubs keen lure him to the Far East.

He'd still be eligible for Wales.

Leigh Halfpenny

The 34-year-old Wales cap centurion is out of contract and it is unlikely he will be at the Scarlets next season.

He may be in the twilight of his career but he still has plenty to offer with his experience, positional play, and ability under the high ball big plus points.

His undoubted point of difference remains his goal kicking and there are clubs in England who still greatly admire the British & Irish Lions full-back.

He'd still be eligible for Wales, too.

Gareth Anscombe

The 31-year-old playmaker is another Wales star whose contract expires at the end of this current season.

It would come as a shock if the Ospreys weren't keen to retain the services of the experienced Wales star but given the fall in wages set to come into play it will be difficult to do so.

Anscombe won't be short of suitors and has already been linked with clubs in France and Japan.

Another who'd still be eligible for Wales.

Rhys Patchell

The 29-year-old is another whose future is uncertain and isn't expected to be at the Scarlets next season.

There had been whispers the utility back could be on his way back to Cardiff with David Young admitting he was a quality player.

It'll be interesting to see where Patchell goes because a move outside of Wales could bring an end to his Test career.

Sam Davies

The 2013 Junior World Player of the Year has fallen down the Wales pecking order over the past few years and looks set to leave the Dragons at the end of the season.

Davies has turned down opportunities to play overseas in the past so that could be an option this time.

However, with Jarrod Evans and Rhys Priestland leaving Cardiff the capital city club need to strengthen at No.10, and are reportedly interested in Davies.

Ioan Lloyd

Outrageously gifted Bristol Bears utility back Ioan Lloyd is expected to leave the club at the end of the season with the Scarlets the favourites to sign him as exclusively reported by WalesOnline last week.

The 22-year-old has won 2 caps for Wales so a move back over the bridge would do his international chances the world of good.

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