There are going to be quite a few new faces in Welsh rugby next term, with players arriving at the four regions from far and wide. Supporters will already be familiar with some of them, while others will be more of an unknown quantity. So here’s the lowdown on the recruits that are rocking up in Wales as pre-season gets underway.
CARDIFF
Lopeti Timani
The dual-country international isn’t the first member of his family to head for Wales, with his elder brother Sione having had a spell in the Scarlets second row. Timani made history last year by becoming the first player to represent a second national team since World Rugby changed its eligibility rules.
Having previously won 12 caps for Australia, he switched to the land of his birth Tonga, making his debut for them against England at Twickenham in November. He covers the back five of the scrum, but Cardiff plan to employ the versatile 31-year-old as a lock, having signed him from Toulon. Dai Young feels he will bring “a real physical presence, impressive work-rate, line out prowess and ball-handling ability”
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Taulupe Faletau
One of the most familiar faces in Welsh rugby, with 91 caps to his name, yet it’s six years since he actually played his club rugby here. Now the former Dragons No 8 is returning to the domestic scene, having made the move from Bath. He had his injury issues during his time at The Rec, but when he’s fit there are few classier performers as he once again demonstrated on the tour of South Africa. It’s remarkable to think he is still only 31.
Thomas Young
This will be Young’s second spell at the Arms Park, but not that many people will recall seeing him during his first, as his appearances were pretty limited ahead of his release at the beginning of 2014. Now he returns with a very different profile, as a seasoned and highly respected campaigner, having played close on 150 games for Wasps. The 30-year-old flanker will bring bags of experience and dynamic impact, while he has the opportunity to add to his three Welsh caps as he is once again eligible for Test rugby.
DRAGONS
Sio Tomkinson
An “outstanding Super Rugby player with huge attacking threat and strike power” is how Dean Ryan describes the 26-year-old Kiwi centre who has been recruited from the Highlanders. Born in Dunedin, Tomkinson - who can also cover wing - represented New Zealand at Schools and U20s level, starting his senior career with Otago. Director of Rugby Ryan says he is “very aggressive both sides of the ball” and believes Dragons fans will “be over the moon” when they see him.
Bradley Roberts
It’s been some journey for the 26-year-old hooker. He was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, but held Welsh eligibility through his paternal grandmother, from Ceredigion. So, unable to secure a rugby deal back home, he moved to north Wales as a teenager to play for RGC, with his eligibility having been spotted by Rupert Moon. After taking a break from rugby to go to university back home, he took up an opportunity to play for Rainey Old Boys in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, progressing into the Ulster set-up where his explosive carrying caught the eye of Wayne Pivac. A shock call-up to the Wales squad and a Test debut against the land of his birth followed and now he’s going to be on Rodney parade.
Sean Lonsdale
Like Roberts, the Manchester-born Lonsdale spent time with RGC, having been educated at Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay. He took a starring role in their promotion to the Premiership in 2016, with his potential being noted by Exeter head coach Rob Baxter who took him to Sandy Park. Went on to establish himself as a valuable member of the Chiefs’ squad, making more than 60 appearances and sharing in their trophy triumphs. He brings a hard-hitting edge at both lock and in the back row, has high clear-out numbers and is a good line-out jumper. Still only 25, he is eligible for Wales through his mother and will come with big ambitions, particularly with Wayne Pivac looking at hybrid back-five forwards with an eye on the World Cup.
JJ Hanrahan
It’s pretty rare for Irish players to come to Wales, but if Hanrahan can make anything like the impact Simon Easterby, Tommy Bowe and Tadhg Beirne did then he will prove a very handy recruit. The 29-year-old utility back brings plenty of experience following two spells with Munster, as well as stints at Northampton and, most recently, Clermont Auvergne. Primarily a fly-half over the years, but can also slot in at centre and full-back.
Max Clark
Back in 2017, the Bridgend-born centre turned down an offer to go on Wales’ summer tour of the South Seas. He wanted to keep his options open, having represented England at U16, U18 and U20s levels through having grown up over the bridge, attending Bryanston School in Dorset. But now, five years on, he has opted to commit his future to Welsh rugby, as he joins the Men of Gwent from Bath, where he made some 90 appearances. A strong runner who hits good angles.
George Nott
Like Clark, the 26-year-old Nott represented England at U18s and U20s, but he too is Welsh-born. Entered the world in Bodelwyddan, he was raised in Llandudno and Mold. After attending King’s School, Chester, he linked up with Sale, spending five years with the Premiership club before joining London Irish in 2019, going on to make some 60 appearances in the second row for them ahead of signing for the Dragons. On announcing his departure, London Irish Director of Rugby Declan Kidney described the 6ft 6ins, 18st 8lbs Nott as “a consummate professional and a role model”.
OSPREYS
Jack Walsh
Born in Florida, USA, Walsh grew up in Australia, going on to play for the Manley Marlins and earn international honours at U18s and Sevens level, while also progressing to the Waratahs development set-up. In 2020, he joined Exeter, making eight appearances for them. Now he’s linked up with the Ospreys, whose head coach Toby Booth says: “Jack is a young and exciting prospect. He’s primarily a fly-half but has shown he is a multi-position player. He plays at the line and is not afraid to challenge tough defences.”
SCARLETS
Vaea Fifita
Potentially the most influential signing of the lot. Born and raised in Tonga, he moved to New Zealand on a rugby scholarship, going on to make his name with Wellington and then the Hurricanes, covering both lock and the back row. He made his Test debut for the All Blacks in 2017 and went on to win 11 caps, ahead of moving to Europe to join Wasps, where he proved a big hit. Now he’s in west Wales and is already catching the eye in training, having dyed his hair red!
Commenting on his new recruit, who will primarily be utilised in the second row, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Vaea is a superb athlete, an X-factor player with the all-round skill-set that fits with how we are looking to play. He is the kind of player that gets fans out of their seats.”
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