There are a few Welsh players who are playing in England and coming to the end of their contract. Nick Tompkins whose situation I assessed in my previous article, heads the list and I had him down to join the Blues. Here are the other players who are coming out of contract across the bridge.
Rhys Webb has had his contract terminated by Toulon and the French club have refused to cancel his registration which stops him from playing for anyone else this season. Webb has agreed to rejoin the Ospreys next season, as he looks at regaining his place in the first XV for Wales.
Sam Moore the giant number 8 who is currently playing for Sale has signed for the Blues, he has represented England at under 20 level, but seems set to be aiming for a Welsh cap like his Father and Uncle Steve and Andy Moore. There are also some players still yet to confirm where they are playing next season.

Owen Williams- Cruelly injured in the warm up against Ireland last week and will now miss the rest of the Six Nations. His bumper contract at Gloucester is up this year and it’s difficult to see him getting a deal at the same level at Kingsholm. With Danny Cipriani playing 10 and Mark Atkinson and Billy Twelvetress being the first choice centres, Williams will want to move on for some guaranteed first team Rugby. If he wants to play for Wales, he will need to come back and join a region. With me predicting Tompkins joining the Blues, I feel that the Dragons could be the ideal destination for Ystradgynlais raised Williams. His ball skills are of a high quality with him coming into his own as a second receiver at 12. A combination of Sam Davies and Owen Williams could be an attractive prospect for Dean Ryan. Williams turns 28 next season and will want to have as good a chance as he can to feature for Wales in the peak of his career.

Matthew Protheroe- Born in Swansea and part of Waunarlwydd RFC before he moved to Hartpury College. Protheroe is currently with the Bristol Bears and is coming to the end of his contract. He plays as a wing or full back, and has featured for the first team this year scoring tries in the Gallagher premiership. But Bristol are welcoming Semi Radrada to Ashton Gate next season and have extended Charles Piataus contract, along with Luke Morahan that is a formidable back three. Protheroe’s game time may be limited with these three ahead of him. So the dual qualified player (he featured for England under 20s) could have some suitors in Wales.
The Blues are well stocked in the back three so that doesn’t seem to be an option for Protheroe. The Scarlets have two British Lions in Halfpenny and Williams and Steff Evans so again, there isn’t room for Protheroe in Llanelli.
Would Protheroe want to head back to Swansea? Well the back three is pretty solid at the liberty with Dan Evans George North and Luke Morgan being the first choice wingers and Keelan Giles aiming to get back to fitness next season after a few years of injury hell.
I think the Dragons would make the most sense for Protheroe, he can push to start at full back and form an exciting back three with Ashton Hewitt and Rio Dyer on the wings. Plus, Protheroe could still live in Bristol if that’s what he wants to do, he could make the short commute and have the best of both worlds if required. This could be an attractive proposition for Protheroe who may want to join Dean Ryan’s revolution in Newport.

The Dragons will also want to keep hold of Cory Hill, who has an offer to return to the Blues on the table. Hill will be set for a good contract and was the first choice partner of Alun Wyn Jones prior to his injury against England in last year’s Six Nations. Hill has captained the Dragons, who have started to turn a corner under Dean Ryan, the big factor will be whether Hill, who is renowned for his unassuming character off the field wants to stay with Dean Ryan or return to right some wrongs at the Blues, whose academy he progressed through. The Dragons could find themselves playing champions cup rugby next year as they can aim to play the Blues in the European champions cup play off game. They also face Bristol in the Challenge Cup quarter final at Ashton Gate in April, which will be a litmus test for how far the team has come. Hill will be tempted to stay if they progress in the challenge cup and push for Champions Cup Rugby. I would like him to stay at Rodney Parade, but the Blues will want to fill a void at Second Row and may be willing to pay a premium for Hill’s services.
Another Dragon who is out of contract at the end of the season is Ross Moriarty. He and Hill are currently appealing their pay banding with the WRU, as they feel they are worth more than the sum they have been valued at so far. Moriarty will be a man in demand, there are rumours that Rob Baxter is interested in securing Moriarty’s signature as he wants to add the former Hartpury College man’s carrying and aggression to the Sandy park outfit.

‘we would love to retain Ross, he’s a top player. He showed it last year and has shown it already in the Six Nations (this year)’

Dragons CEO David Buttress shares his thoughts on Ross Moriarty’s contract situation, when talking to Simon Thomas from Wales Online last week.

Moriarty would also be wanted in Swansea at The Ospreys are also rumoured to be interested in bringing him back to his hometown, they missed out on signing Liam Williams and will be eager to sign some new talent to the belegured region, after this year’s performances and he would slot in at 8 in a back row with Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate.
The big factor for Moriarty will be the ability to play for Wales, which he would lose if he moved to Devon. I’m not here to throw around figures on Moriarty’s wages, but money can not buy international Rugby, which brings its own financial rewards. Exeter will be extremely tempting, but I feel that Moriarty will choose to stay in Wales, if his appeal with the union is successful. His signing for the Ospreys would be a real feather in the cap of the Swansea region. The Dragons also have a plethora of talented back rows at Rodney parade, so it may be more prudent for them to allow the Ospreys to pick up Moriarty.

As the Six Nations runs it’s course I am sure there will be more stories that emerge and rumours will be confirmed. I will try and cover the stories that arise.