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Raft of Welsh rugby free agents emerge as players search for new clubs
Raft of Welsh rugby free agents emerge as players search for new clubs
While many of Welsh rugby's departures have their next club lined up, some are still searching
Regan Grace runs out for Wales against the Queensland Reds last summer
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
In more serene seasons in Welsh rugby, teams tend to prefer to get their leavers lists out before their final match of the campaign so fans can provide a suitable farewell for those departing.
Unfortunately, these aren't serene times in Welsh rugby and almost all of the lists came after the conclusion of the season. Quite a number of players named on those lists already have clubs lined up for next year, with a host of deals having been announced. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
However, there are still some for whom a move has yet to be announced.
You'd imagine that, behind the scenes, work is currently ongoing to get these players a contract ahead of next season.
But who are the players currently looking for new pastures?
Starting in the capital, hooker Efan Daniel is one of the players released by Cardiff without a new club officially announced - although a move to the Ospreys is expected.
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There's no news on where back-row Gwilym Bradley will end up, while wing Regan Grace - who toured Australia with Wales last summer - could feasibly have his pick of the two codes.
Back in April, the former St Helens wing admitted there was interest from rugby league clubs, but added he still had a desire to "crack" rugby union.
Unsurprisingly, given the rebuild needed after a nightmarish season, there was quite a high turnover of players at the Dragons. Quite a number of them haven't had deals for next season announced, either.
Props Dmitri Arhip and Josh Reynolds have both been released, as has fellow front-row Paula Latu - who had joined on a short-term deal in December.
Second-row Joe Davies, after over a decade at Rodney Parade and 137 appearances for the Men of Gwent, is also on the lookout for a new club, as is back-row George Young.
Fly-half Lloyd Evans is also searching for a new club, having joined from Gloucester last summer.
Lloyd Evans of Dragons RFC kicks for goal
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency )
Centre Harry Wilson is heading back to Australia, while wing Ashton Hewitt and Jordan Williams have also left - with the former having been linked to Worcester.
Former Wales centre Scott Williams, having made a few appearances for the Dragons, wasn't offered a deal by Filo Tiatia - meaning the 34-year-old is available.
The Ospreys' leavers list all have their next move lined up. Adam Beard is heading overseas - with his next club expected to be Montpellier - while Owen Williams will join Nice, Tristan Davies is heading to the Scarlets and Justin Tipuric is hanging up his boots to join the coaching team.
As for the Scarlets, there's a few players still without a deal in place.
Hooker Shaun Evans, lock Morgan Jones and scrum-half Efan Jones have all yet to reveal where they'll be playing next year.
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The Scarlets also announced the departure of Wales wing Steff Evans, who leaves Parc y Scarlets as the joint-highest Welsh try-scorer in the United Rugby Championship.
It's expected that he'll move into Super Rygbi Cymru for next season.
