Welsh Rugby Faces Turbulent Summer Amid Budget Cuts
As the Welsh rugby regions brace for another round of budget cuts, the upcoming summer transfer window is set to be a tumultuous one. The salary cap for Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets will further drop from £5.2 million to £4.5 million for the next season, as part of the six-year funding framework agreed with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) last year.
This reduction means the regions will face a flurry of player comings and goings as they scramble to assemble squads capable of improving their standings in the United Rugby Championship (URC). BBC Sport Wales provides a comprehensive round-up of the key news and rumors surrounding the players’ futures.
Cardiff
Welshman Callum Sheedy returns from Bristol to offer relief for Tinus de Beer, while Ireland prop Ed Byrne and former England U20 wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb join the squad. Several players have been re-signed, including Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, and James Botham.
Dragons
Wales flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes moves from Cardiff, while Australian Steve Cummings and center Harry Wilson arrive from Pau and NSW Waratahs, respectively. The futures of British & Irish Lions flanker Dan Lydiate and Wales front-rowers Bradley Roberts and Leon Brown remain uncertain.
Ospreys
Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy joins from Scarlets, along with prop Steff Thomas. Winger Phil Cokanasiga, younger brother of England’s Joe Cokanasiga, also signs from Leicester Tigers.
Scarlets
South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Alec Hepburn join the squad, while several key players, including Wyn Jones, Scott Williams, Jonathan Davies, and Ken Owens, have departed. Negotiations are ongoing with out-of-contract Wales center Johnny Williams and Tonga forward Vaea Fifita.
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