The movement of Welsh players back and fore over the bridge is not a new phenomenon, but now there’s a fresh twist to the tale. We have seen a number of the Gallagher Premiership’s Welsh-qualified contingent signing up for the regions for next season, with the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Sean Lonsdale, Thomas Young and Max Clark coming on board.
But with the regions trimming down their squads for financial reasons and releasing a raft of players, we are now seeing Welshmen like Jonah Holmes, Garyn Smith and Will Talbot-Davies heading for the English Championship. They will join a swathe of players from Wales plying their trade in that second-tier league. So here, then, is the comprehensive list of the 80-plus Wales-qualified pros who will be playing in England’s top two flights next season:
AMPTHILL
Ben Cambriani
The son of ex-Wales rugby league international wing Adrian Cambriani, outside centre Ben, 22, made the move from the Ospreys last year. He was named in the English Championship team of the season last month.
Morgan Strong
The Bridgend-born former Wales U20s No 8 is making the move from the Ospreys set-up, having started his rugby journey with Tondu RFC. His father Nathan was a fans’ favourite at Bridgend and Pontypridd.
Cai Devine
Raised in Singapore by Welsh parents, he went on to study at Llandovery College and then Durham University. A back row forward, he has represented Wales in both Sevens and touch rugby.
Gavin Williams
A scrum-half from Wrexham who was once on the books of Wasps. His brother Rhys has played rugby league for London Broncos and Salford, while his sister Sian was Wales’ first professional female rugby player.
Llewellyn Jones
Came up through the ranks at Haverfordwest and made four appearances for the Scarlets, while also packing down at lock for Carmarthen Quins. Previous spells in England with Ealing Trailfinders and Nottingham.
BATH
Tom Cowan
Born in Wrexham while his father was stationed near there with the army. Brought up in Chippenham, Wiltshire, he was invited to the England U20s camp but turned down the opportunity in order to play for Wales U20s, making a big impression with his carrying and tackling in this year’s junior Six Nations.
Tom Prydie
Always remembered as the youngest player ever to be capped by Wales, making his Test debut aged 18 years and 25 days against Italy in March 2010. Has lined up for the Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets, joining Bath last December.
Archie Griffin
Part of the Exiles programme, prop Griffin appeared for Wales U18s in 2018 while representing Marlborough College, then moved up to the Bath Academy.
Louie Hennessey
After a couple of years with the Cardiff Academy, the 18-year-old centre has signed a contract at The Rec to go alongside his studies at Bath University.
BEDFORD
Jac Arthur
Played his junior rugby with Nantyffylon and Ospreys U16s. After excelling for Cardiff Met, he joined Ampthill and was a stand-out performer for Paul Turner’s team this season featuring in every match. The 24-year-old back row will now be playing under another Welshman in Mike Rayer, having signed for Bedford.
Pat Tapley
The club’s longest serving current player, winger Tapley, who has a Welsh father, has been at Goldington Road since 2013. Had a spell in Sydney, Australia with Warringah Rats.
Robin Williams
This 23-year-old second row came on board from Colwyn Bay-based RGC 1404 last summer and has extended his contract. Made 80 appearances for the north Walian Premiership club after making his debut at just 17, winning the 2017 WRU Cup.
Charles Rylands
After three years at Cardiff Met, the 21-year-old openside flanker is heading back to Bedfordshire where he was born and raised. Played his mini and junior rugby at Olney RFC before spending time in the Northampton Academy. Welsh-qualified though a grandparent.
BRISTOL
Callum Sheedy
Cardiff-born and raised, he has been with Bristol since 2014, having moved to the west country to attend Millfield School. With 16 caps to his name, the 26-year-old fly-half will have a big decision to make when his current contract expires.
Dan Thomas
The Carmarthen-born back rower has been a consistent performer since joining Bristol from west country rivals Gloucester in 2017, having previously been with the Scarlets. Now 28, he made 17 appearances for Wales U20s as a youngster.
Ioan Lloyd
Born and bred in Cardiff, he moved over the bridge to Clifton College, going on to sign a four-year deal with Bristol aged just 17. This ultra versatile back made his Wales debut in the autumn of 2020. Now looks to be focusing on the centre, having also figured at full-back, fly-half and wing.
Jac Lloyd
The younger brother of Welsh international and club colleague Ioan, fly-half Jac also studied at Clifton College. Featured at fly-half for Wales U20s during this year’s Six Nations tournament.
Toby Fricker
Born in Clapham, but has played for Wales Sevens through his father hailing from Builth Wells, while also representing the Welsh Academicals. The 26-year-old winger made the move from Ebbw Vale in 2019.
Oscar Lennon
A 22-year-old scrum-half who is eligible for Wales, England and the USA! Studied and played at Hartpury and has worked for the WRU as a community coach.
Jack Capon
Part of the Welsh Exiles programme, the young back rower joined Bristol in 2016. Has played BUCS rugby for Exeter University.
Nick English
The tight-head prop from Caldicot was part of the Wales U20s squad for the 2019 World Junior Championship in Argentina.
Pete Carter
A young scrum-half whose father hails from Radyr in Cardiff. Has signed up straight from Clifton College.
CORNISH PIRATES
Garyn Smith
After some eight seasons and 111 appearances with Cardiff Rugby, centre Smith was released by the Arms Park outfit last month. The strong-running 26-year-old will now be plying his trade down in Penzance next season.
Carwyn Penny
Born in Newport, this utility back represented Wales at U18s and U20s level, making two appearances for the Dragons after a spell with the Gloucester Academy, while also figuring in the Premiership with Ebbw Vale, Bargoed and Cross Keys. Joined the Pirates last year.
Arwel Robson
The 25-year-old former Dragons and Wales U20s outside-half signed a new contract last month. Born in Caerphilly, he played 24 games for the Men of Gwent over four seasons.
Ed Scragg
Born in Frome, Somerset, but had two seasons playing at lock for Wales U20s and was part of the Dragons Academy before joining the Pirates last year. Has been linked with a move to London Irish.
Syd Blackmore
Son of former Wales prop Steve Blackmore, he played his junior rugby with Llandaff RFC, went on to captain Hartpury College and was on the books of Bath as a flanker, being converted to a hooker at Ampthill.
Morgan Nelson
Born in Ross-on-Wye, the 22-year-old hooker played for Wales U18s and has had time with the Academies of Worcester and Gloucester. Having completed his studies at Cardiff Met, where he was part of the BUCS Super Rugby side, he has signed with the Pirates for next season.
Alex Schwarz
Bodelwyddan-born, he played his early rugby at Mold RFC and then linked up with RGC, winning honours for Wales U18s. A scrum-half, he has also played for Italian side Rugby Colorno, joining the Pirates in 2018.
Olly White
The Bangor-born back row started out with Caernarfon RFC and went on to attend Llandovery College before taking a place at Exeter University where he captained their BUCS side. Has represented Wales at U18s and U19s level. Now 22, he signed for the Pirates last month.
COVENTRY
Will Talbot-Davies
Born in High Wycombe and grew up in Solihull, but qualified for Wales through his father and won honours at U20s and Sevens level. After making 32 appearances for the Dragons over six seasons, the 24-year-old back three man was released earlier this month and is now heading back to the Midlands.
Tom Griffiths
Born in Gloucester, but qualified for Wales through his father, the 26-year-old former Saracens centre joined Coventry on loan from the Dragons last year and has now been released by the Gwent region, having made six appearances for them in all.
Will Owen
The centre was previously a member of the Dragons academy during which time he also appeared for Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys in the Welsh Premiership. Also had a spell at Doncaster.
Dan Babos
Arrived on loan from the Dragons in January and has now been released by the Gwent region, having made 18 appearances for them at scrum-half.
Rob Stevenson
A former Monmouth School pupil who has represented Wales Students, this powerful winger joined from London Scottish.
Rhys Thomas
The Wales U18s and U20s second row made the switch from the Ospreys having also spent time with Aberavon.
Read next: Another released regional player joins England exodus and Wales Sevens are hammered
DONCASTER
Billy McBryde
The son of former Wales hooker and coach Robin McBryde, fly-half Billy was with the Scarlets for a couple of seasons and won international honours at U20s level ahead of spell with RGC, moving to Yorkshire in 2020.
Ben Murphy
Made 19 appearances in the second row for Cardiff Blues, having joined the Academy from Abercynon RFC. Now 26, he signed for the Knights last November.
Connor Edwards
Cwmbran-born, this centre played five matches for the Dragons, while also having game time with Bedwas and Cross Keys.
Jack Davies
The former Cowbridge comprehensive pupil was previously with the Cardiff Blues Academy and then Bristol. A back-five forward, who was born in Swindon, he has represented Wales Students, as well as Spain U18s!
Kyle Evans
Named the Welsh Principality Premiership Player of the Season in 2017/18, the former Llanelli winger signed with the Knights after an impressive three years with Merthyr RFC.
George Roberts
A mobile hooker, he made the switch from RGC 1404 in the summer of 2020, having studied at Bangor University.
EALING TRAILFINDERS
Jonah Holmes
Having failed in his wage appeal to the WRU, the seven-times capped Wales wing turned down his elite 38 contract offer and departed the Dragons for the English Championship, ending his international career. Born in Stockport, he had qualified through his grandparents. Had previous stints in England at Wasps, Rosslyn Park, Henley, Yorkshire Carnegie and Leicester.
Steven Shingler
The two-time Wales tourist left Cardiff Blues in 2019 to briefly join French Division Two side Stade Montois and then secured a deal with Ealing. Had been with London Irish and the Scarlets before his time at the Arms Park. Was famously ruled ineligible for Scotland due to playing for Wales U20s.
Morgan Veness
The 19-year-old hooker, who was born in Devon and attends Brunel University, played in all five games for Wales U20s during this season’s Six Nations. Was part of the Gloucester Academy while at Hartpury College and played for Cardiff Blues U16s as well as the Welsh Exiles.
Dan Hiscocks
A scrum-half who represented Wales at U16s and U19s. From Brecon, he was previously part of the Ospreys age grade pathway. Has had spells on loan at London Welsh and Blackheath.
James Cordy-Redden
Has Welsh grandparents and played on the wing for the Welsh Academicals and Welsh Students, as well as Cross Keys.
EXETER
Christ Tshiunza
First hit the headlines when he signed a four-year Academy deal with Exeter while still a pupil at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff. A product of Rhiwbina RFC, he made his Wales debut against Fiji last November. Injury has ruled him out of contention since then, but he is seen as having a big future as a hybrid back-five forward.
Dafydd Jenkins
The son of former Swansea and Neath back-row forward Hywel Jenkins, he played for Wales U20s in last year’s Six Nations and has gone on to make his mark in Exeter’s second row this season, even though he is still only 19. Very much one to watch for the future.
Iestyn Harris
The 23-year-old hooker signed for the Devon club in April after Cardiff Rugby agreed to release him ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the season. A former Wales U20s international, he was limited to just three appearances for the Arms Park-based region, the last of which was a Champions Cup start against Toulouse in December. He had 14 games for Cardiff RFC.
Ollie Leatherbarrow
A young back row with triple qualification. Born and raised in Macclesfield, he has represented Scotland at U18s and U20s level, but remains eligible for Wales through his mother’s side of the family hailing from Swansea. His elder brother, Teddy, who is at Loughborough University has also played age-grade rugby for Scotland.
Dan John
Signed a three-year deal with Exeter after completing his studies at Millfield School. Primarily a back three player, who has played age-grade rugby for Wales. His father Paul, a highly popular scrum-half for Pontypridd, is now coaching in Hong Kong.
Oliver Burrows
Born in Neath, the 6ft 2ins, 17st 3lbs hooker has Wales U18s honours under his belt. Turned 20 last month.
Iwan Jenkins
A former pupil of Y Pant School, in Talbot Green, the Cardiff-born fly-half turned 18 in March.
GLOUCESTER
Louis Rees-Zammit
Born and raised in Cardiff, he moved to Kingsholm in 2018 after studying at Hartpury College. Has established himself as one of the most exciting players in the game, with his try-scoring exploits on the wing. Has 16 Wales caps under his belt as well as a Lions tour of South Africa. Still only 21.
Lloyd Evans
Born in Gloucester and educated in Cheltenham, he has represented England at U18s and U20s. But this 26-year-old fly-half is Wales-qualified through his father Huw Evans, the former Scarlets chairman who remains on the board at the region.
Alex Morgan
The Cardiff-born winger, who was in the Wales U20s Six Nations squad in 2019, put pen to paper on a new contract with the Cherry and Whites last year.
HARLEQUINS
Bryn Bradley
Having studied at Epsom College, he linked up with the ‘Quins last summer and made his debut at centre for Wales U20s in the Six Nations earlier this year. Started out with Cobham RFC.
HARTPURY
Aled Ward
After playing junior rugby for Llandaff RFC, he went on to captain Wales U18s from the back row and was also capped at U20s, while he skippered Cardiff Met ahead of his move to Gloucestershire.
Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier
The Cardiffian scrum-half is a former Saracens Academy player who had two spells in France, with Le Pays d’Aix and Nevers, as well as stints at Worcester and Cornish Pirates.
Mitch Walsh
A prop from Swansea who was previously with the Ospreys Academy. A Hartpury undergraduate.
JERSEY REDS
Macauley Cook
Made 167 appearances for Cardiff Blues over ten seasons, crossing for 17 tries while packing down at lock or in the back row. The Rhondda product headed for island life in 2020. A real club man and a stalwart servant.
Tim Grey
Born in Malton, north Yorkshire, but his mother’s side of the family is from Llandysul, while his father’s had a farm in Monmouth. A flanker, Grey was part of the Wales U20s squad that won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2016. Made 114 appearances for RGC before joining Jersey in 2020.
Alun Lawrence
During his five years at the Arms Park, the Pontypridd-born No 8 had 23 regional outings. Joined Jersey on loan in January and has now signed a permanent contract.
Tomi Lewis
Has been signed up after being released by the Scarlets at the end of the season. The Brecon-born wing, who has represented Wales at U20s and Sevens, had a previous spell in England, on loan at Ampthill.
Huw Owen
Hailing from Kenfig Hill and starting out with his local club, he went on to make 66 appearances for Pontypridd at loosehead prop and also had spells playing for Byron Bay in Australian and Northern United in New Zealand. Joined the Reds last summer.
Luke Yendle
Having made ten appearances at tighthead prop for the Dragons, he moved on loan to Jersey in the autumn of last year.
LEICESTER
Tommy Reffell
Having played his junior rugby at Pencoed RFC, he joined the Tigers in 2017 and went on to captain Wales U18s and U20s. Now the 23-year-old Bridgend-born openside has received his first call up to the senior squad for the summer tour of South Africa following his consistent excellence at club level.
Olly Cracknell
Born in Leeds, but his grandfather was from Llanelli and that qualification saw him snapped up by RGC ahead of a move to the Ospreys where he spent seven years and made more than 100 appearances. Signed for London Irish last November and will be based at Welford Road next season.
NEWCASTLE
Josh Thomas
From Penllergaer, near Gorseinon, fly-half Thomas, 21, moved on from the Ospreys at the end of the season, having played 17 games for the region, debuting in 2020. Will now take flight with the Falcons.
Iwan Stephens
Born in Leeds and has represented England U20s, but still eligible to play for Wales like his four-cap father Colin before him. This rugby league convert, who plays on the wing, signed a new two-year deal with the Falcons in April.
NORTHAMPTON
Dan Biggar
Joined the Saints from the Ospreys in 2018 and has become a pivotal figure at Franklin’s Gardens, while continuing to add to a tally of caps that is now up to 100. The 32-year-old fly-half retained the Wales captaincy for the tour of South Africa.
NOTTINGHAM
David Williams
The winger scored two tries in Ebbw Vale’s Premiership final victory over Pontypridd in 2016 before heading for Robin Hood country for his studies.
RICHMOND
Mike Perks
A former Radyr Comprehensive pupil, he was involved with the Cardiff Blues pathway as a teenager and captained Wales Students while at Bath University. Spent four years hooking for Blackheath before switching London clubs.
Huw Worthington
The No 8 from farming stock in Powys caught the eye for RGC and was signed up by Bedford in 2018. Now plying his trade in west London.
Luc Jones
The son of ex-Dragons boss Lyn Jones, who he played under at Rodney Parade, this Neath-born scrum-half has also been at Harlequins and Jersey.
Owain James
His parents hail from Penarth and his dad, John, coached him as a junior at London Welsh. The former Harrow School pupil was with Wasps from the age 12. Plays at wing and full-back.
Henri Williams
The son of former Bridgend and Cardiff favourite Owain Williams and the brother of Cardiff lock Teddy. A second row who was previously with Ampthill.
SALE
Joe Jones
From Mold, this 28-year-old tighthead is in his second spell with the Sharks. Has also spent periods propping for Cardiff Blues, Perpignan and Doncaster.
Huw Davies
A teenage back row forward from Bethesda in Gwynedd who attended Kirkham Grammar in Lancashire. Signed a bursary Academy contract with the Sharks in April.
Rouban Birch
Born in Stockport, but his family hail from Swansea. A lock forward who has figured in Welsh age grade teams.
SARACENS
Nick Tompkins
Following his loan spell with the Dragons, the centre returned to Saracens last year and has been in fine form since, both for club and country, taking his tally of Wales caps to 20. Born in Sidcup, he is eligible through a grandmother from Wrexham.
Aled Davies
By moving from the Ospreys to Saracens, the 20-times capped scrum-half made himself ineligible for Wales. Now 29, the former Scarlets No 9 from Carmarthen has established himself as a regular starter for Sarries, earning warm plaudits from coach Mark McCall.
Ethan Lewis
Having joined Saracens on loan from Cardiff Blues last season, the hooker then signed a two-year-deal with the club. Former Wales U20s international Lewis, 28, made 60 appearances for the Blues.
Sam Wainwright
After starting out at Rhyl RFC, he became a regular for RGC in the Premiership and was capped by Wales U20s. The 24-year-old tight-head joined Sarries in 2019.
WASPS
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Having made his Blues debut aged just 17 in April of last year, the talented three-quarter had been hoping to study medicine at Cardiff University and continue his progress at the Arms Park. But he wasn’t offered a place and has ended up enrolling at Aston University in Birmingham and signing a long-term contract with Wasps.
WORCESTER
Owen Williams
The Ystradgynlais product has three caps to his name, but is currently ineligible under the 60-cap rule having moved to Sixways from Japanese club Red Hurricanes last year. Has had previous spells with the Scarlets, Leicester and Gloucester as a 10/12. Now 30.
Ashley Beck
The 32-year-old centre looks likely to see out his career at Sixways having just signed a contract extension. Recently made his 50th appearance for the club he joined from the Ospreys in 2018. Won seven caps for Wales between 2012 and 2013.
Sam Lewis
The former Ospreys openside flanker has been with Worcester since 2015 and has made more than 100 appearances for the club. Now 31, he has proved a real fan favourite, with his tireless work in attack and defence.
Harri Doel
Started out with his hometown club Llandovery and had an extended spell with the Scarlets Academy, representing Wales U20s. Signed for Worcester on loan in 2020 and was handed a permanent deal the following year, catching the eye on the wing.
Marc Thomas
Spent some six years with the Ospreys, making 42 appearances at loosehead prop, prior to spells with Jersey, Yorkshire Carnegie, Doncaster and Harlequins.
