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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

What's happening with the 53 players who left the Welsh regions this summer as a third remain in limbo

With budgets tightening and squad sizes falling, this summer in Welsh rugby always had the potential to feel like a fire sale, with dozens of players heading for the exit door.

However, the fact that more than half a century of players have left the four professional sides so far is stark. A total of 53 players have left the four regions. Some have their next club sorted, others don't.

Here's what's going on with all of them:

Cardiff (16 departures)

Starting in the Welsh capital, a fair number of players have headed over the Severn Bridge.

Max Llewellyn is heading to Gloucester, Jarrod Evans and Dillon Lewis are on their way to Harlequins and Lloyd Williams and Brad Thyer are off to Ealing Trailfinders. Wales squad member James Ratti has joined the Ospreys.

There have been a few retirements at the Arms Park, too, with Kristian Dacey, Jason Harries and Josh Navidi all hanging up their boots. Rhys Priestland might also have played his last game. The Wales fly-half said earlier in the year he would either finish up completely or find one last deal elsewhere after leaving Cardiff. So far, no such deal has been announced.

Of the others to leave Cardiff this summer, no new destinations have been announced for Dmitri Arhip, Willis Halaholo, Rey Lee-Lo, Harri Millard, Kirby Myhill and Joe Peard.

Dragons (9 departures)

Rodney Parade hasn't endured as drastic a clearout, but a fair few have still left Newport.

Ross Moriarty headed to France before the end of the season to join Brive, with Sam Davies and Will Rowlands following suit to join Grenoble and Racing 92 respectively ahead of next season. Following Davies' departure, it seemed unlikely that JJ Hanrahan would also depart, but the fly-half has opted to return to Ireland with Connacht.

As for the rest of the Dragons' departures, there is no news yet on new clubs. Former Wales prop Rob Evans, full-back Ioan Davies, lock Huw Taylor and back-rows Ben Fry and Lennon Greggains have all left this summer.

Ospreys (12 departures)

Starting with the retirements, Stephen Myler, Dan Evans, Bradley Davies and Elvis Taione have all hung up their boots.

Alun Wyn Jones has called time on his Test career, but there is no indication he is quite done at club level just yet. He is done with the Ospreys, though. Rhys Webb, another who announced his shock Wales retirement in recent weeks, has accepted a deal abroad, with the club rumoured to be Biarritz. Another player set for a move to France is Tomas Francis, with the Wales prop set to join Provence Rugby.

Gareth Anscombe had been linked with moves to France, as well as Japan, but it would appear he is perhaps leaning towards staying in Wales. His new club is yet to be announced, though.

Meanwhile, Joe Hawkins or Ethan Roots have both been confirmed by Exeter Chiefs as new signings. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler is joining Toyota Shokki Shuttles in Japan, while Dan Lydiate has gone back to the Dragons after not being offered a new deal in Swansea.

Scarlets (16 departures)

The Scarlets have seen plenty depart west Wales this summer, with club favourite Aaron Shingler retiring. Alex Jeffries has also hung up his boots.

Corey Baldwin and Dane Blacker have linked up with former Scarlets coach Dai Flanagan at the Dragons, with Rhys Patchell rumoured to be joining them. Nothing has been confirmed on that front, though, while Leigh Halfpenny has also been reported as a possible acquisition for the Gwent side following his Scarlets exit - possibly as a coach.

There are some others with their futures unconfirmed, with Taylor Davies, Dafydd Hughes, WillGriff John, Phil Price, Tom Price and Lewis Rawlins all without a club for the moment.

Javan Sebastian will join Edinburgh, while Sione Kalamafoni will head to Vannes. As for Iestyn Rees and Griff Evans, they are off to Ampthill.

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