There will be some new faces and some big names coming in to Welsh rugby next season with all four regions having brought in fresh blood.
So here’s the fill list of signings the pro teams have made, including some nine internationals.
CARDIFF RUGBY
Rhys Priestland (Bath)
Matthew Screech (Dragons)
Not too much recruitment here, with the main focus having been on retaining key men like Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams, Willis Halaholo and Owen Lane.
But there are a couple of significant additions to the squad.
After six seasons in England with Bath, Rhys Priestland is returning to Wales to ply his trade at the Arms Park.
His tactical control and game management will provide an ideal counterpoint to the ball-in-hand brilliance of Jarrod Evans, giving Cardiff two top quality options at fly-half.
Priestland is 34 now but still has much to offer, as he showed with his performances in the Premiership last season, and you wouldn’t entirely rule out the possibility of him adding to his 50 Wales caps as Wayne Pivac is clearly an admirer.
The signing of Matthew Screech from the Dragons always looked a good bit of business, as he has been one of the most consistent performers in the PRO14 in recent years, delivering hard graft week-in, week-out.
It’s looking an even better move now with fellow second row Cory Hill having left for Japan.
So the newly-capped Screech will have a pivotal role to play in the Cardiff pack under Dai Young.
DRAGONS
Will Rowlands (Wasps)
Mesake Doge (Brive)
Aki Seiuli (Glasgow)
Ioan Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
Taylor Davies (Scarlets; season-long loan)
The big one for the Dragons was the signing of 6ft 8ins second row Will Rowlands from Wasps, a deal they had been working on for a long, long time.
He fills a gap left by the departure of Screech and will now be re-united with young Ben Carter, who he started alongside in the boilerhouse for all three of Wales’ summer Tests.
The Gwent region have continued to quietly get things done on the transfer front over the past month or so, reinforcing the squad.
Fijian international Mesake Doge and former Highlander Aki Seiuli bring plentiful propping experience, while mobile hooker Taylor Davies and gifted full-back Ioan Davies are two young Welsh talents to watch out for, as they kick on from their initial loan spells last season.
OSPREYS
Tomas Francis (Exeter)
Jac Morgan (Scarlets)
Alex Cuthbert (Exeter)
Michael Collins (Highlanders)
Elvis Taione (Exeter)
Osian Knott (Scarlets)
Jack Regan (Highlanders)
Ben Warren (Cardiff Rugby)
The team that will now play out of the newly re-branded Swansea.com Stadium look to mean business.
Bringing Tomas Francis on board from Exeter is a real boost for the region and for Welsh rugby, as the 57-cap tighthead will be able to continue playing international rugby.
Alex Cuthbert is once again eligible for the Test arena having joined Francis in switching from Sandy Park and he showed he’s still a potent weapon on the wing with his late season displays, having put his injury issues behind him.
The Welsh-qualified Michael Collins is another who could come into the international mix having come over from New Zealand for a second spell in this country having previously impressed with his back-line versatility for the Scarlets.
And Jac Morgan will surely be knocking at Wayne Pivac’s door before too long if he continues his progress in the back row.
His arrival from the Scarlets is all the more timely given Justin Tipuric will be sidelined until Christmas with the shoulder injury he suffered on Lions duty.
The recruitment of a third player from Exeter – veteran Tongan Elvis Taione – will provide season-long international experience at hooker.
SCARLETS
WillGriff John (Sale)
Scott Williams (Ospreys)
Corey Baldwin (Exeter)
Tomás Lezana (Western Force)
Tom Price (Exeter)
Argentina’s Tomas Lezana is tackled by Wales flanker Justin Tipuric
It’s a case of back to Llanelli for a trio of players.
Scott Williams returns to the region where he made his name after an injury-plagued spell at the Ospreys and he has plenty to offer if he can stay fit.
He’s still only 30 and is a real class act on his day, with 58 Welsh caps to his name.
Fellow centre Corey Baldwin has also returned after a season spent at Exeter, which is where lock Tom Price makes the move from as he embarks on a second spell in west Wales.
As for prop WillGriff John, who has signed from Sale, he will be hoping that being on home soil will help his chances of finally securing that elusive first cap.
Scarlets fans will have to wait a while to see Tomás Lezana in action as he is part of the Argentina squad for the Rugby Championship which goes on until early October.
When he does come on board, his international quality – either on the flank or at No 8 – will be very welcome following the departure of back rowers Jac Morgan, Uzair Cassiem and Ed Kennedy.
With 39 Test caps and more than 50 Super Rugby appearances for the Jaguares and Western Force, Lezana certainly has an impressive pedigree, with a reputation as a dynamic ball carrier and a strong defender.
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