“The man who comes to take care of my piranhas told me that if I left West Ham he would kill my fish.”
So said the footballer Paolo Di Canio during his playing career. For sure, a sportsperson making a call on his or her future can be more than a bit tricky.
Get it right and happiness and achievement can follow. Get it wrong and regret can be the order of the day, and not just for those in a fish tank.
Read more: Adam Jones loves ‘next Wales captain’ who won’t back down from anyone
So how will it be for those big-name Welsh rugby players who are coming out of contract over the next 12 months or so?
No list of all of them is available, but some do become free agents and will need to ponder their next move.
We take a look.
Dan Biggar
He hits 33 in two months’ time and is approaching the final year of his contract with Northampton. His move to England has been an unqualified success, seeing Biggar develop on and off the field. He’s well-thought of in the media, popular with fellow players, appreciated by supporters. He’s also Wales’ captain. Could rugby get any better?
Biggar will have a call to make as the season unfolds, though. He wasn’t ruling anything out or in during a recent interview with WalesOnline, but there were hints of a desire to move abroad at some point, with Japan a potential destination for the 103-cap fly-half who has been playing Test rugby for 14 years.
“It all depends what my situation is with Northampton at the end of the season,” said Biggar. “The way the game is going now you are probably not that valuable to a club side if you are playing international rugby. So there will have to be a decision made on that, depending on what happens with my contract.
“I have always said getting to the 2023 World Cup was a huge aim. I think that’s a really nice target to get to. I will assess things from there and see what the situation is. I’m not getting any younger. I want to experience things as well. I would be really keen in years to come just to experience things. I want to be able to say in 10-15 years time that I’ve lived in different parts of the world, experiencing different cities and different cultures.”
Go east, perhaps? “I will say the World Cup was brilliant in Japan, I really enjoyed it when we were out there. That was a really cool place, so that could be something that would perhaps be an option in years to come, if anybody wanted me over there. It’s a brilliant place.
“But at the moment I am really settled how I am. I am hoping I will be able to pick and choose a little bit, as opposed to being forced into something. The short answer is I’m not really sure what is happening.”
There won’t be a shortage of potential suitors, fair to say.
Dewi Lake
He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Ospreys in March 2021. At the time he said: “It’s lovely to re-sign with my home region. I grew up watching the Ospreys, going to the Liberty to watch the team, so any time I could stay where I always wanted to play was a no-brainer for me.”
Lake is among Welsh rugby’s most exciting young players, with all of his eight caps banked this year. He is well-thought of at the Ospreys and has advanced his game there, with coaches Toby Booth and Duncan Jones aiding his development.
The Ospreys would see him as potentially a key player for them for years to come. It would be a surprise if he played for anyone other than them in season 2023-24.
Ross Moriarty
Reports in the French press in April suggested Stade Francais were so keen to secure Moriarty’s services they were willing to buy him out of the remaining year of his contract with the Dragons.
They were said to have made contact with him about the possibility of adding him to their roster.
None of which had Dragons boss Dean Ryan turning cartwheels in the street. “There’s only one club he’s going to be at next season and that’s definitely us,” he said when asked about the matter the following day. Specifically addressing the question of Stade’s interest, he said: “I am never surprised that people can play fantasy rugby by going who they would like to play for their team.”
What to make of it?
There’s a reasonable chance Moriarty will have secured the six caps he needs to reach 60 for Wales by the time next term dawns, meaning he won’t be captured by the relevant Welsh Rugby Union rule affecting exiled players, stopping them from playing for Wales if they don’t have 60 or more caps.
The big man has always seemed happy at the Dragons, despite their struggles in terms of results.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
But an offer from a leading French club might yet prove interesting for a player who boasts the physicality and hard-edge to compete in any competition.
Alun Wyn Jones
It was reported in January that he’d signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the Ospreys.
His arrangements are set to take him through to the World Cup in France little more than a year from now.
What he does thereafter is up in the air. Like his old mate Dan Biggar, he will want to control his destiny. Like Biggar, he may fancy a move abroad — no-one would begrudge either of them the chance of a big pay day after the service they have given Wales over the years.
Or maybe Jones will call time on his playing days. He’ll be 38 during the World Cup and might well feel enough was enough on the Test front, and perhaps the regional front, too.
He’s said nothing about his plans to date, not being the type to reveal too much about himself or what the future holds for him.
Gareth Anscombe
Will be at the Ospreys for at least one more season after signing a single-year contract in June.
It’s been rumoured he’s pondering a big-money move abroad after the World Cup, with Japan and France the likeliest destinations the fly-half is considering. You can read more about it here.
If he did exit Welsh rugby, he would halt his Test career as he wouldn’t have enough Test appearances to continue under the rule that prevents capped exiled players with fewer than 60 Wales outings from donning the red jersey.
He’ll have much thinking to do then. The awful knee injury he sustained in 2019, which took two years out of his career, underlined the precarious nature of his trade.
Again, whatever his call, a player with the heart of a lion would surely be supported by most.
Aled Davies
The scrum-half left the Ospreys for Saracens in 2020, signing a three-year deal. The decision was a bold one from Davies, effectively putting his Wales hopes on hold because of the 60-cap rule.
But it’s worked out well for him in north London. Once he settled, he hit a rich vein of form, impressing with his rapid service and ability to maintain a high tempo.
In May, Saracens rugby chief Mark McCall said: “Sometimes it takes time in a pivotal position to be the player that we knew he was going to be, but he has been incredible this year.
“His performance level has been outstanding, and we are very lucky to have him. He is everything you need from a scrum-half — his passing and his speed between breakdowns is as good as I’ve seen. He is an incredibly tough competitor, so, defensively, he really adds. It is important you have all the skills at your disposal, and he kicks the ball beautifully as well.”
Call that a significant endorsement. Davies has a startling 80 percent win record with Wales, and will presumably factor into any deliberations over his future whether he feels he can challenge again for his country. Another good season with Saracens would ensure, too, that he’s the one driving the decision on whether to stay or move on.
Justin Tipuric
The master openside signed a three-year contract in 2020 to remain with the Ospreys.
“This is my home region and where it all started for me and I wanted to stay,” he said at the time.
“I watched the club as a supporter and to get the chance to play for them was always a big thing for me.”
Tipuric’s decision to recommit to the Ospreys spoke volumes as the region played out the most challenging season in their history. He had reportedly been the subject of interest from Bristol Bears, who were said to be offering him £500,000 a year. French clubs were also thought willing to pay him a king’s ransom to secure his services.
But not even such largesse could tempt him. Whether the situation will have changed will be interesting to see.
The player his former boss Andrew Millward once called an “iconic” Osprey is still passionate about his home region and completely at ease in their environment.
Let’s see how this one plays out.
Read next:
Today’s rugby news as New Zealand announce decision on Ian Foster’s future overnight and chief defends out-of-window Test
Welsh rugby players speak out anonymously as ‘ridiculous’ situation clouds everything
Tonight’s rugby news as New Zealand boss branded ‘deplorable’ and Welshman named captain of English team
The strange disappearance of Nicky Smith from the Wales set-up and why it’s happened
The state of Wales’ four pro teams heading into the new season as Ospreys best-placed to emerge the strongest
“The man who comes to take care of my piranhas told me that if I left West Ham he would kill my fish.”
So said the footballer Paolo Di Canio during his playing career. For sure, a sportsperson making a call on his or her future can be more than a bit tricky.
Get it right and happiness and achievement can follow. Get it wrong and regret can be the order of the day, and not just for those in a fish tank.
Read more: Adam Jones loves ‘next Wales captain’ who won’t back down from anyone
So how will it be for those big-name Welsh rugby players who are coming out of contract over the next 12 months or so?
No list of all of them is available, but some do become free agents and will need to ponder their next move.
We take a look.
Dan Biggar
He hits 33 in two months’ time and is approaching the final year of his contract with Northampton. His move to England has been an unqualified success, seeing Biggar develop on and off the field. He’s well-thought of in the media, popular with fellow players, appreciated by supporters. He’s also Wales’ captain. Could rugby get any better?
Biggar will have a call to make as the season unfolds, though. He wasn’t ruling anything out or in during a recent interview with WalesOnline, but there were hints of a desire to move abroad at some point, with Japan a potential destination for the 103-cap fly-half who has been playing Test rugby for 14 years.
“It all depends what my situation is with Northampton at the end of the season,” said Biggar. “The way the game is going now you are probably not that valuable to a club side if you are playing international rugby. So there will have to be a decision made on that, depending on what happens with my contract.
“I have always said getting to the 2023 World Cup was a huge aim. I think that’s a really nice target to get to. I will assess things from there and see what the situation is. I’m not getting any younger. I want to experience things as well. I would be really keen in years to come just to experience things. I want to be able to say in 10-15 years time that I’ve lived in different parts of the world, experiencing different cities and different cultures.”
Go east, perhaps? “I will say the World Cup was brilliant in Japan, I really enjoyed it when we were out there. That was a really cool place, so that could be something that would perhaps be an option in years to come, if anybody wanted me over there. It’s a brilliant place.
“But at the moment I am really settled how I am. I am hoping I will be able to pick and choose a little bit, as opposed to being forced into something. The short answer is I’m not really sure what is happening.”
There won’t be a shortage of potential suitors, fair to say.
Dewi Lake
He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Ospreys in March 2021. At the time he said: “It’s lovely to re-sign with my home region. I grew up watching the Ospreys, going to the Liberty to watch the team, so any time I could stay where I always wanted to play was a no-brainer for me.”
Lake is among Welsh rugby’s most exciting young players, with all of his eight caps banked this year. He is well-thought of at the Ospreys and has advanced his game there, with coaches Toby Booth and Duncan Jones aiding his development.
The Ospreys would see him as potentially a key player for them for years to come. It would be a surprise if he played for anyone other than them in season 2023-24.
Ross Moriarty
Reports in the French press in April suggested Stade Francais were so keen to secure Moriarty’s services they were willing to buy him out of the remaining year of his contract with the Dragons.
They were said to have made contact with him about the possibility of adding him to their roster.
None of which had Dragons boss Dean Ryan turning cartwheels in the street. “There’s only one club he’s going to be at next season and that’s definitely us,” he said when asked about the matter the following day. Specifically addressing the question of Stade’s interest, he said: “I am never surprised that people can play fantasy rugby by going who they would like to play for their team.”
What to make of it?
There’s a reasonable chance Moriarty will have secured the six caps he needs to reach 60 for Wales by the time next term dawns, meaning he won’t be captured by the relevant Welsh Rugby Union rule affecting exiled players, stopping them from playing for Wales if they don’t have 60 or more caps.
The big man has always seemed happy at the Dragons, despite their struggles in terms of results.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
But an offer from a leading French club might yet prove interesting for a player who boasts the physicality and hard-edge to compete in any competition.
Alun Wyn Jones
It was reported in January that he’d signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the Ospreys.
His arrangements are set to take him through to the World Cup in France little more than a year from now.
What he does thereafter is up in the air. Like his old mate Dan Biggar, he will want to control his destiny. Like Biggar, he may fancy a move abroad — no-one would begrudge either of them the chance of a big pay day after the service they have given Wales over the years.
Or maybe Jones will call time on his playing days. He’ll be 38 during the World Cup and might well feel enough was enough on the Test front, and perhaps the regional front, too.
He’s said nothing about his plans to date, not being the type to reveal too much about himself or what the future holds for him.
Gareth Anscombe
Will be at the Ospreys for at least one more season after signing a single-year contract in June.
It’s been rumoured he’s pondering a big-money move abroad after the World Cup, with Japan and France the likeliest destinations the fly-half is considering. You can read more about it here.
If he did exit Welsh rugby, he would halt his Test career as he wouldn’t have enough Test appearances to continue under the rule that prevents capped exiled players with fewer than 60 Wales outings from donning the red jersey.
He’ll have much thinking to do then. The awful knee injury he sustained in 2019, which took two years out of his career, underlined the precarious nature of his trade.
Again, whatever his call, a player with the heart of a lion would surely be supported by most.
Aled Davies
The scrum-half left the Ospreys for Saracens in 2020, signing a three-year deal. The decision was a bold one from Davies, effectively putting his Wales hopes on hold because of the 60-cap rule.
But it’s worked out well for him in north London. Once he settled, he hit a rich vein of form, impressing with his rapid service and ability to maintain a high tempo.
In May, Saracens rugby chief Mark McCall said: “Sometimes it takes time in a pivotal position to be the player that we knew he was going to be, but he has been incredible this year.
“His performance level has been outstanding, and we are very lucky to have him. He is everything you need from a scrum-half — his passing and his speed between breakdowns is as good as I’ve seen. He is an incredibly tough competitor, so, defensively, he really adds. It is important you have all the skills at your disposal, and he kicks the ball beautifully as well.”
Call that a significant endorsement. Davies has a startling 80 percent win record with Wales, and will presumably factor into any deliberations over his future whether he feels he can challenge again for his country. Another good season with Saracens would ensure, too, that he’s the one driving the decision on whether to stay or move on.
Justin Tipuric
The master openside signed a three-year contract in 2020 to remain with the Ospreys.
“This is my home region and where it all started for me and I wanted to stay,” he said at the time.
“I watched the club as a supporter and to get the chance to play for them was always a big thing for me.”
Tipuric’s decision to recommit to the Ospreys spoke volumes as the region played out the most challenging season in their history. He had reportedly been the subject of interest from Bristol Bears, who were said to be offering him £500,000 a year. French clubs were also thought willing to pay him a king’s ransom to secure his services.
But not even such largesse could tempt him. Whether the situation will have changed will be interesting to see.
The player his former boss Andrew Millward once called an “iconic” Osprey is still passionate about his home region and completely at ease in their environment.
Let’s see how this one plays out.
Read next:
Today’s rugby news as New Zealand announce decision on Ian Foster’s future overnight and chief defends out-of-window Test
Welsh rugby players speak out anonymously as ‘ridiculous’ situation clouds everything
Tonight’s rugby news as New Zealand boss branded ‘deplorable’ and Welshman named captain of English team
The strange disappearance of Nicky Smith from the Wales set-up and why it’s happened
The state of Wales’ four pro teams heading into the new season as Ospreys best-placed to emerge the strongest
“The man who comes to take care of my piranhas told me that if I left West Ham he would kill my fish.”
So said the footballer Paolo Di Canio during his playing career. For sure, a sportsperson making a call on his or her future can be more than a bit tricky.
Get it right and happiness and achievement can follow. Get it wrong and regret can be the order of the day, and not just for those in a fish tank.
Read more: Adam Jones loves ‘next Wales captain’ who won’t back down from anyone
So how will it be for those big-name Welsh rugby players who are coming out of contract over the next 12 months or so?
No list of all of them is available, but some do become free agents and will need to ponder their next move.
We take a look.
Dan Biggar
He hits 33 in two months’ time and is approaching the final year of his contract with Northampton. His move to England has been an unqualified success, seeing Biggar develop on and off the field. He’s well-thought of in the media, popular with fellow players, appreciated by supporters. He’s also Wales’ captain. Could rugby get any better?
Biggar will have a call to make as the season unfolds, though. He wasn’t ruling anything out or in during a recent interview with WalesOnline, but there were hints of a desire to move abroad at some point, with Japan a potential destination for the 103-cap fly-half who has been playing Test rugby for 14 years.
“It all depends what my situation is with Northampton at the end of the season,” said Biggar. “The way the game is going now you are probably not that valuable to a club side if you are playing international rugby. So there will have to be a decision made on that, depending on what happens with my contract.
“I have always said getting to the 2023 World Cup was a huge aim. I think that’s a really nice target to get to. I will assess things from there and see what the situation is. I’m not getting any younger. I want to experience things as well. I would be really keen in years to come just to experience things. I want to be able to say in 10-15 years time that I’ve lived in different parts of the world, experiencing different cities and different cultures.”
Go east, perhaps? “I will say the World Cup was brilliant in Japan, I really enjoyed it when we were out there. That was a really cool place, so that could be something that would perhaps be an option in years to come, if anybody wanted me over there. It’s a brilliant place.
“But at the moment I am really settled how I am. I am hoping I will be able to pick and choose a little bit, as opposed to being forced into something. The short answer is I’m not really sure what is happening.”
There won’t be a shortage of potential suitors, fair to say.
Dewi Lake
He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Ospreys in March 2021. At the time he said: “It’s lovely to re-sign with my home region. I grew up watching the Ospreys, going to the Liberty to watch the team, so any time I could stay where I always wanted to play was a no-brainer for me.”
Lake is among Welsh rugby’s most exciting young players, with all of his eight caps banked this year. He is well-thought of at the Ospreys and has advanced his game there, with coaches Toby Booth and Duncan Jones aiding his development.
The Ospreys would see him as potentially a key player for them for years to come. It would be a surprise if he played for anyone other than them in season 2023-24.
Ross Moriarty
Reports in the French press in April suggested Stade Francais were so keen to secure Moriarty’s services they were willing to buy him out of the remaining year of his contract with the Dragons.
They were said to have made contact with him about the possibility of adding him to their roster.
None of which had Dragons boss Dean Ryan turning cartwheels in the street. “There’s only one club he’s going to be at next season and that’s definitely us,” he said when asked about the matter the following day. Specifically addressing the question of Stade’s interest, he said: “I am never surprised that people can play fantasy rugby by going who they would like to play for their team.”
What to make of it?
There’s a reasonable chance Moriarty will have secured the six caps he needs to reach 60 for Wales by the time next term dawns, meaning he won’t be captured by the relevant Welsh Rugby Union rule affecting exiled players, stopping them from playing for Wales if they don’t have 60 or more caps.
The big man has always seemed happy at the Dragons, despite their struggles in terms of results.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
But an offer from a leading French club might yet prove interesting for a player who boasts the physicality and hard-edge to compete in any competition.
Alun Wyn Jones
It was reported in January that he’d signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the Ospreys.
His arrangements are set to take him through to the World Cup in France little more than a year from now.
What he does thereafter is up in the air. Like his old mate Dan Biggar, he will want to control his destiny. Like Biggar, he may fancy a move abroad — no-one would begrudge either of them the chance of a big pay day after the service they have given Wales over the years.
Or maybe Jones will call time on his playing days. He’ll be 38 during the World Cup and might well feel enough was enough on the Test front, and perhaps the regional front, too.
He’s said nothing about his plans to date, not being the type to reveal too much about himself or what the future holds for him.
Gareth Anscombe
Will be at the Ospreys for at least one more season after signing a single-year contract in June.
It’s been rumoured he’s pondering a big-money move abroad after the World Cup, with Japan and France the likeliest destinations the fly-half is considering. You can read more about it here.
If he did exit Welsh rugby, he would halt his Test career as he wouldn’t have enough Test appearances to continue under the rule that prevents capped exiled players with fewer than 60 Wales outings from donning the red jersey.
He’ll have much thinking to do then. The awful knee injury he sustained in 2019, which took two years out of his career, underlined the precarious nature of his trade.
Again, whatever his call, a player with the heart of a lion would surely be supported by most.
Aled Davies
The scrum-half left the Ospreys for Saracens in 2020, signing a three-year deal. The decision was a bold one from Davies, effectively putting his Wales hopes on hold because of the 60-cap rule.
But it’s worked out well for him in north London. Once he settled, he hit a rich vein of form, impressing with his rapid service and ability to maintain a high tempo.
In May, Saracens rugby chief Mark McCall said: “Sometimes it takes time in a pivotal position to be the player that we knew he was going to be, but he has been incredible this year.
“His performance level has been outstanding, and we are very lucky to have him. He is everything you need from a scrum-half — his passing and his speed between breakdowns is as good as I’ve seen. He is an incredibly tough competitor, so, defensively, he really adds. It is important you have all the skills at your disposal, and he kicks the ball beautifully as well.”
Call that a significant endorsement. Davies has a startling 80 percent win record with Wales, and will presumably factor into any deliberations over his future whether he feels he can challenge again for his country. Another good season with Saracens would ensure, too, that he’s the one driving the decision on whether to stay or move on.
Justin Tipuric
The master openside signed a three-year contract in 2020 to remain with the Ospreys.
“This is my home region and where it all started for me and I wanted to stay,” he said at the time.
“I watched the club as a supporter and to get the chance to play for them was always a big thing for me.”
Tipuric’s decision to recommit to the Ospreys spoke volumes as the region played out the most challenging season in their history. He had reportedly been the subject of interest from Bristol Bears, who were said to be offering him £500,000 a year. French clubs were also thought willing to pay him a king’s ransom to secure his services.
But not even such largesse could tempt him. Whether the situation will have changed will be interesting to see.
The player his former boss Andrew Millward once called an “iconic” Osprey is still passionate about his home region and completely at ease in their environment.
Let’s see how this one plays out.
Read next:
Today’s rugby news as New Zealand announce decision on Ian Foster’s future overnight and chief defends out-of-window Test
Welsh rugby players speak out anonymously as ‘ridiculous’ situation clouds everything
Tonight’s rugby news as New Zealand boss branded ‘deplorable’ and Welshman named captain of English team
The strange disappearance of Nicky Smith from the Wales set-up and why it’s happened
The state of Wales’ four pro teams heading into the new season as Ospreys best-placed to emerge the strongest
“The man who comes to take care of my piranhas told me that if I left West Ham he would kill my fish.”
So said the footballer Paolo Di Canio during his playing career. For sure, a sportsperson making a call on his or her future can be more than a bit tricky.
Get it right and happiness and achievement can follow. Get it wrong and regret can be the order of the day, and not just for those in a fish tank.
Read more: Adam Jones loves ‘next Wales captain’ who won’t back down from anyone
So how will it be for those big-name Welsh rugby players who are coming out of contract over the next 12 months or so?
No list of all of them is available, but some do become free agents and will need to ponder their next move.
We take a look.
Dan Biggar
He hits 33 in two months’ time and is approaching the final year of his contract with Northampton. His move to England has been an unqualified success, seeing Biggar develop on and off the field. He’s well-thought of in the media, popular with fellow players, appreciated by supporters. He’s also Wales’ captain. Could rugby get any better?
Biggar will have a call to make as the season unfolds, though. He wasn’t ruling anything out or in during a recent interview with WalesOnline, but there were hints of a desire to move abroad at some point, with Japan a potential destination for the 103-cap fly-half who has been playing Test rugby for 14 years.
“It all depends what my situation is with Northampton at the end of the season,” said Biggar. “The way the game is going now you are probably not that valuable to a club side if you are playing international rugby. So there will have to be a decision made on that, depending on what happens with my contract.
“I have always said getting to the 2023 World Cup was a huge aim. I think that’s a really nice target to get to. I will assess things from there and see what the situation is. I’m not getting any younger. I want to experience things as well. I would be really keen in years to come just to experience things. I want to be able to say in 10-15 years time that I’ve lived in different parts of the world, experiencing different cities and different cultures.”
Go east, perhaps? “I will say the World Cup was brilliant in Japan, I really enjoyed it when we were out there. That was a really cool place, so that could be something that would perhaps be an option in years to come, if anybody wanted me over there. It’s a brilliant place.
“But at the moment I am really settled how I am. I am hoping I will be able to pick and choose a little bit, as opposed to being forced into something. The short answer is I’m not really sure what is happening.”
There won’t be a shortage of potential suitors, fair to say.
Dewi Lake
He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Ospreys in March 2021. At the time he said: “It’s lovely to re-sign with my home region. I grew up watching the Ospreys, going to the Liberty to watch the team, so any time I could stay where I always wanted to play was a no-brainer for me.”
Lake is among Welsh rugby’s most exciting young players, with all of his eight caps banked this year. He is well-thought of at the Ospreys and has advanced his game there, with coaches Toby Booth and Duncan Jones aiding his development.
The Ospreys would see him as potentially a key player for them for years to come. It would be a surprise if he played for anyone other than them in season 2023-24.
Ross Moriarty
Reports in the French press in April suggested Stade Francais were so keen to secure Moriarty’s services they were willing to buy him out of the remaining year of his contract with the Dragons.
They were said to have made contact with him about the possibility of adding him to their roster.
None of which had Dragons boss Dean Ryan turning cartwheels in the street. “There’s only one club he’s going to be at next season and that’s definitely us,” he said when asked about the matter the following day. Specifically addressing the question of Stade’s interest, he said: “I am never surprised that people can play fantasy rugby by going who they would like to play for their team.”
What to make of it?
There’s a reasonable chance Moriarty will have secured the six caps he needs to reach 60 for Wales by the time next term dawns, meaning he won’t be captured by the relevant Welsh Rugby Union rule affecting exiled players, stopping them from playing for Wales if they don’t have 60 or more caps.
The big man has always seemed happy at the Dragons, despite their struggles in terms of results.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
But an offer from a leading French club might yet prove interesting for a player who boasts the physicality and hard-edge to compete in any competition.
Alun Wyn Jones
It was reported in January that he’d signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the Ospreys.
His arrangements are set to take him through to the World Cup in France little more than a year from now.
What he does thereafter is up in the air. Like his old mate Dan Biggar, he will want to control his destiny. Like Biggar, he may fancy a move abroad — no-one would begrudge either of them the chance of a big pay day after the service they have given Wales over the years.
Or maybe Jones will call time on his playing days. He’ll be 38 during the World Cup and might well feel enough was enough on the Test front, and perhaps the regional front, too.
He’s said nothing about his plans to date, not being the type to reveal too much about himself or what the future holds for him.
Gareth Anscombe
Will be at the Ospreys for at least one more season after signing a single-year contract in June.
It’s been rumoured he’s pondering a big-money move abroad after the World Cup, with Japan and France the likeliest destinations the fly-half is considering. You can read more about it here.
If he did exit Welsh rugby, he would halt his Test career as he wouldn’t have enough Test appearances to continue under the rule that prevents capped exiled players with fewer than 60 Wales outings from donning the red jersey.
He’ll have much thinking to do then. The awful knee injury he sustained in 2019, which took two years out of his career, underlined the precarious nature of his trade.
Again, whatever his call, a player with the heart of a lion would surely be supported by most.
Aled Davies
The scrum-half left the Ospreys for Saracens in 2020, signing a three-year deal. The decision was a bold one from Davies, effectively putting his Wales hopes on hold because of the 60-cap rule.
But it’s worked out well for him in north London. Once he settled, he hit a rich vein of form, impressing with his rapid service and ability to maintain a high tempo.
In May, Saracens rugby chief Mark McCall said: “Sometimes it takes time in a pivotal position to be the player that we knew he was going to be, but he has been incredible this year.
“His performance level has been outstanding, and we are very lucky to have him. He is everything you need from a scrum-half — his passing and his speed between breakdowns is as good as I’ve seen. He is an incredibly tough competitor, so, defensively, he really adds. It is important you have all the skills at your disposal, and he kicks the ball beautifully as well.”
Call that a significant endorsement. Davies has a startling 80 percent win record with Wales, and will presumably factor into any deliberations over his future whether he feels he can challenge again for his country. Another good season with Saracens would ensure, too, that he’s the one driving the decision on whether to stay or move on.
Justin Tipuric
The master openside signed a three-year contract in 2020 to remain with the Ospreys.
“This is my home region and where it all started for me and I wanted to stay,” he said at the time.
“I watched the club as a supporter and to get the chance to play for them was always a big thing for me.”
Tipuric’s decision to recommit to the Ospreys spoke volumes as the region played out the most challenging season in their history. He had reportedly been the subject of interest from Bristol Bears, who were said to be offering him £500,000 a year. French clubs were also thought willing to pay him a king’s ransom to secure his services.
But not even such largesse could tempt him. Whether the situation will have changed will be interesting to see.
The player his former boss Andrew Millward once called an “iconic” Osprey is still passionate about his home region and completely at ease in their environment.
Let’s see how this one plays out.
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