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https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport...lified-gallagher-premiership-england-16257798
There been a big focus on English-based Welsh players of late with ten of them having been selected in Wayne Pivac's Six Nations squad and much talk about the regions targeting exiled stars.
We also know the WRU maintain an extensive data base on all the Welsh-qualified players across the bridge, both youngsters and established professionals.
So, just how many of them are there?
Rugby correspondent Simon Thomas keeps a close watch on the English exiles and here's the list of those on the books of clubs in England's top two flights.
AMPTHILL
Jarryd Sage - The former Dragons centre was born in South Africa, but is Welsh-qualified through his father. Following spells with the Golden Lions and Southern Kings, he moved to Wales in 2017 and made 23 appearances for the Men of Gwent before joining Paul Turner's Ampthill last summer.
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. Has been converted to a hooker by Championship new boys Ampthill.
Henri Williams - A 25-year-old second row who was on loan from Paul Turner's former team, the Dragons, last season and signed a permanent deal ahead of this term. He's the son of former Bridgend and Cardiff favourite Owain Williams.
Gavin Williams - North Walian scrum-half, once on the books of Wasps. His brother Rhys plays rugby league for London Broncos and his sister Sian was Wales' first professional female rugby player.
Jac Arthur - Played his junior rugby with Nantyffylon and Ospreys U16s. The 21-year-old back five forward came on board from Cardiff Met last summer.
BATH
Taulupe Faletau - The Wales and Lions No 8 was signed from the Dragons in 2016, but his time at The Rec has been hampered by a series of injuries. He's missed the bulk of last season through two arm breaks and the first half of this term following the collar bone fracture which ruled him out of the World Cup. Back fit again now.
Rhys Priestland - Back at the start of last year, it looked as though the 48-cap former Scarlets outside-half would be leaving Bath at the end of that season. But then, in April, he agreed a new two-year deal and has been on fine form of late.
Max Clark - Born in Bridgend, but has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U20s levels and turned down a Wales tour call-up in the summer of 2017 to keep alive his chances of wearing the red rose at Test level. Signed a new contract at the Rec just under a year ago. Has been sidelined since October due to hamstring surgery.
Aled Brew - After a tough two years at the Dragons, the international wing joined Bath on a short-term deal in September 2016 and went on to revive his career in the west country. Now in the veteran category at 33.
Rhys Davies - The 6ft 6ins Swansea-born second row has appeared for Wales at U18 and U20 level. Signed a long-term Academy contract with Bath ahead of the 2017-18 season. Now 21, he is starting to make his mark at first-team level, showing up well against Harlequins in Europe earlier this month.
Archie Griffin - Part of the Exiles programme, prop Griffin appeared for Wales U18s in 2018 while representing Marlborough College. He moving up to the senior Bath Academy last summer.
Jack Davies - The 24-year-old 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!
BEDFORD
Huw Worthington - The 25-year-old back rower from farming stock in Montgomeryshire attracted the attentions of a number of clubs with his performances for RGC, but it was Bedford he chose a couple of years ago.
Lewis Robling - Made 39 appearances for the Dragons at centre and fly-half. The Newport-born 28-year-old spent three seasons with Jersey and one with Ealing Trailfinders before joining Bedford.
Ed Taylor - The elder brother of the Dragons' Huw Taylor and, like him, a back-five forward. They qualify for Wales through a grandparent.
BRISTOL
Callum Sheedy - Born and bred in Cardiff, he moved to the west country to attend Millfield School and signed for Bristol in 2014. Has really impressed at fly-half in the Premiership over the past couple of seasons. As well as the land of his birth, he is also eligible for Ireland through family and for England on residency. Played for England against the Barbarians last June, but that was a non-cap match, so he is not tied to them and his international options remain open.
Ryan Edwards - Only had the one game for the Dragons prior to joining Bristol in 2012. The 29-year-old Newport-born wing has made 82 appearances for them, scoring 25 tries.
Toby Fricker - Born in England, but has played for Wales Sevens through his father hailing from Builth Wells. Made a surprise move from Ebbw Vale last March and has gone on to be a wing regular for Premiership Bristol this season.
Ioan Lloyd - Born and bred in Cardiff, the former Glantaf pupil played his junior rugby for St Peters RFC, CRICC, Cardiff Schools and the Blues U16s, before moving over the bridge to Clifton College. His huge talent was recognised when Bristol signed him up on a four-year deal at the age of 17. Starred at fly-half for Wales U18s last year and has already made his mark at senior level, with a coupe of try-scoring cameos as a back-three sub for Bristol this season.
Jac Lloyd - The younger brother of Ioan. Another fly-half, another big talent. Part of the Bristol Academy, currently studying at Clifton College.
Harry Randall - Grew up in the Amman Valley and captained Wales U16s, but was born in Slough and switched allegiance to the land of his birth, playing for England U20s. Just turned 22, the livewire scrum-half has made a big impression since joining from Gloucester.
Mat Protheroe - Born in Swansea, he went to study at Hartpury after failing to get into the Ospreys U16s side towards the end of 2013 and was snapped up with Gloucester. Has represented England at U18s and U20s level. Had a year out with knee ligament damage after switching to Bristol in 2017, but has been back firing this season. Having started out as a fly-half, the back three is now his domain.
Dan Thomas - The former Wales U20s flanker has been in the west country since leaving the Scarlets in 2014. Like Protheroe, he moved from Gloucester in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength at Bristol.
Nicky Thomas - Made no fewer than 20 appearances for Wales U20s, playing in the 2013 Junior World Championship final against England. The Swansea-born tight-head prop has has spells with Gloucester, the Ospreys, the Scarlets and the Dragons.
Jack Capon - Part of the Welsh Exiles programme, the young back rower joined Bristol in 2016. Has been playing BUCS rugby for Exeter University.
Nick English - The tight-head prop from Caldicot was part of the Wales U20s squad for last summer's World Junior Championship in Argentina.
CORNISH PIRATES
Rhodri Davies - From Crymych in Pembrokeshire, the 28-year-old scrum-half was signed from the Dragons, having had previous spells with the Scarlets and Rotherham.
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.
Craig Mitchell - Won 15 caps for Wales between 2009 and 2013. Now 33, his career has seen him do propping service for the Ospreys, Exeter, Cardiff Blues and the Dragons.
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 a stint at Worcester.
COVENTRY
Gerard Ellis - English-born, but eligible for Wales through his father and was capped at age-grade level. Now 26, the loose-head prop joined from the Dragons in February of last year, having made 27 appearances from the Men of Gwent.
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.
There been a big focus on English-based Welsh players of late with ten of them having been selected in Wayne Pivac's Six Nations squad and much talk about the regions targeting exiled stars.
We also know the WRU maintain an extensive data base on all the Welsh-qualified players across the bridge, both youngsters and established professionals.
So, just how many of them are there?
Rugby correspondent Simon Thomas keeps a close watch on the English exiles and here's the list of those on the books of clubs in England's top two flights.
AMPTHILL
Jarryd Sage - The former Dragons centre was born in South Africa, but is Welsh-qualified through his father. Following spells with the Golden Lions and Southern Kings, he moved to Wales in 2017 and made 23 appearances for the Men of Gwent before joining Paul Turner's Ampthill last summer.
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. Has been converted to a hooker by Championship new boys Ampthill.
Henri Williams - A 25-year-old second row who was on loan from Paul Turner's former team, the Dragons, last season and signed a permanent deal ahead of this term. He's the son of former Bridgend and Cardiff favourite Owain Williams.
Gavin Williams - North Walian scrum-half, once on the books of Wasps. His brother Rhys plays rugby league for London Broncos and his sister Sian was Wales' first professional female rugby player.
Jac Arthur - Played his junior rugby with Nantyffylon and Ospreys U16s. The 21-year-old back five forward came on board from Cardiff Met last summer.
BATH
Taulupe Faletau - The Wales and Lions No 8 was signed from the Dragons in 2016, but his time at The Rec has been hampered by a series of injuries. He's missed the bulk of last season through two arm breaks and the first half of this term following the collar bone fracture which ruled him out of the World Cup. Back fit again now.
Rhys Priestland - Back at the start of last year, it looked as though the 48-cap former Scarlets outside-half would be leaving Bath at the end of that season. But then, in April, he agreed a new two-year deal and has been on fine form of late.
Max Clark - Born in Bridgend, but has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U20s levels and turned down a Wales tour call-up in the summer of 2017 to keep alive his chances of wearing the red rose at Test level. Signed a new contract at the Rec just under a year ago. Has been sidelined since October due to hamstring surgery.
Aled Brew - After a tough two years at the Dragons, the international wing joined Bath on a short-term deal in September 2016 and went on to revive his career in the west country. Now in the veteran category at 33.
Rhys Davies - The 6ft 6ins Swansea-born second row has appeared for Wales at U18 and U20 level. Signed a long-term Academy contract with Bath ahead of the 2017-18 season. Now 21, he is starting to make his mark at first-team level, showing up well against Harlequins in Europe earlier this month.
Archie Griffin - Part of the Exiles programme, prop Griffin appeared for Wales U18s in 2018 while representing Marlborough College. He moving up to the senior Bath Academy last summer.
Jack Davies - The 24-year-old 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!
BEDFORD
Huw Worthington - The 25-year-old back rower from farming stock in Montgomeryshire attracted the attentions of a number of clubs with his performances for RGC, but it was Bedford he chose a couple of years ago.
Lewis Robling - Made 39 appearances for the Dragons at centre and fly-half. The Newport-born 28-year-old spent three seasons with Jersey and one with Ealing Trailfinders before joining Bedford.
Ed Taylor - The elder brother of the Dragons' Huw Taylor and, like him, a back-five forward. They qualify for Wales through a grandparent.
BRISTOL
Callum Sheedy - Born and bred in Cardiff, he moved to the west country to attend Millfield School and signed for Bristol in 2014. Has really impressed at fly-half in the Premiership over the past couple of seasons. As well as the land of his birth, he is also eligible for Ireland through family and for England on residency. Played for England against the Barbarians last June, but that was a non-cap match, so he is not tied to them and his international options remain open.
Ryan Edwards - Only had the one game for the Dragons prior to joining Bristol in 2012. The 29-year-old Newport-born wing has made 82 appearances for them, scoring 25 tries.
Toby Fricker - Born in England, but has played for Wales Sevens through his father hailing from Builth Wells. Made a surprise move from Ebbw Vale last March and has gone on to be a wing regular for Premiership Bristol this season.
Ioan Lloyd - Born and bred in Cardiff, the former Glantaf pupil played his junior rugby for St Peters RFC, CRICC, Cardiff Schools and the Blues U16s, before moving over the bridge to Clifton College. His huge talent was recognised when Bristol signed him up on a four-year deal at the age of 17. Starred at fly-half for Wales U18s last year and has already made his mark at senior level, with a coupe of try-scoring cameos as a back-three sub for Bristol this season.
Jac Lloyd - The younger brother of Ioan. Another fly-half, another big talent. Part of the Bristol Academy, currently studying at Clifton College.
Harry Randall - Grew up in the Amman Valley and captained Wales U16s, but was born in Slough and switched allegiance to the land of his birth, playing for England U20s. Just turned 22, the livewire scrum-half has made a big impression since joining from Gloucester.
Mat Protheroe - Born in Swansea, he went to study at Hartpury after failing to get into the Ospreys U16s side towards the end of 2013 and was snapped up with Gloucester. Has represented England at U18s and U20s level. Had a year out with knee ligament damage after switching to Bristol in 2017, but has been back firing this season. Having started out as a fly-half, the back three is now his domain.
Dan Thomas - The former Wales U20s flanker has been in the west country since leaving the Scarlets in 2014. Like Protheroe, he moved from Gloucester in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength at Bristol.
Nicky Thomas - Made no fewer than 20 appearances for Wales U20s, playing in the 2013 Junior World Championship final against England. The Swansea-born tight-head prop has has spells with Gloucester, the Ospreys, the Scarlets and the Dragons.
Jack Capon - Part of the Welsh Exiles programme, the young back rower joined Bristol in 2016. Has been playing BUCS rugby for Exeter University.
Nick English - The tight-head prop from Caldicot was part of the Wales U20s squad for last summer's World Junior Championship in Argentina.
CORNISH PIRATES
Rhodri Davies - From Crymych in Pembrokeshire, the 28-year-old scrum-half was signed from the Dragons, having had previous spells with the Scarlets and Rotherham.
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.
Craig Mitchell - Won 15 caps for Wales between 2009 and 2013. Now 33, his career has seen him do propping service for the Ospreys, Exeter, Cardiff Blues and the Dragons.
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 a stint at Worcester.
COVENTRY
Gerard Ellis - English-born, but eligible for Wales through his father and was capped at age-grade level. Now 26, the loose-head prop joined from the Dragons in February of last year, having made 27 appearances from the Men of Gwent.
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.
