With the exodus continuing, much has been made of why the players are going to France. Salaries, better conditions, more attractive teams/league have all been thrown about, but is it worth it? We can take a look at some of the transfers.
James Hook: Left the Ospreys after being moved to inside centre for Perpignan, who would appease his desire to play standoff. After two seasons, Camille Lopez was signed and Hook was moved to fullback. Since his move, he has been a fairly constant part of the side, reliable off the tee and being named in many top XVs. Would he have moved if he knew he would again be moved away from the halfbacks?
Lee Byrne: Left same time as Hook, Byrne went to perennial Top14/HEC contenders/chokers, and has fit in well in the side. He has been the preferred fullback in HEC matches over much-hyped outside back Jean-Marcellin Buttin. He has recently been linked with a return to Wales, unsurprising considering his expressed desire to return to the national squad.
Mike Phillips: The final member of the defected Ospreys trifecta of 2011, the troubled scrumhalf went to struggling Bayonne. He failed to stand out in an tepid backline and has faced numerous alcohol-related issues off-field. Recently expelled from the team and now will hopefully finish the season with Racing Metro, alongside our next two players...
Dan Lydiate: The 2012 Six Nations Player of the tournament ended that year announcing a move to high-spending Seine club Racing Metro. Lydiate overcame a potentially crippling injury early on in his club career to establish himself as the first choice Welsh blindside and Lions starter. The move to Racing, however, has come at a cost. He has not been first choice, preferring Wenceles Lauret and Bernard le Roux. His lack of gametime has raised question marks over his ability to perform for Wales, where he remains first choice blindside.
Jamie Roberts: Roberts played remarkably little rugby for the Blues over the past few years, that one would be forgiving for thinking he had left sometime after the 2009 Lions tour. It came as no surprise that he eventually left for France, where he admitted years ago he would like to do at some point. Roberts only managed three starts for RM92 before an ankle injury that still keeps him sidelined..
Gavin Henson: Headline-maker Henson joined Toulon after a brief stint with Saracens in early 2011. His debut temporarily silenced critics, setting up a try before scoring one himself. After an incident with clubmates, he was offered a chance to remain in the team at the expense of his international career. He turned down the offer and moved to Cardiff Blues in late 2011 before joining London Welsh in 2012 and finally Bath in 2013.
Gethin Jenkins: The highly acclaimed prop joined Toulon in 2012 alongside English international Andrew Sheridan, but quickly found himself out in the cold. Issues with scrummaging reduced his role to that of a bench prop, which only ended when his contract was prematurely ended, allowing him to return to Cardiff.
Aled Brew: After numerous eye-catching displays with Newport Gwent Dragons and injuries out wide, Aled Brew found himself on a plane to New Zealand for the World Cup. Following this, he announced a move to Biarritz, ending his brief stint with the national team. He has battled with American wing Ngwenya and up-and-coming French flyer Teddy Thomas to start. Despite being the record try scorer for the Dragons, Brew has managed only two tries in two seasons.
Luke Charteris: The 6'9" second row caught the eyes of many during the 2011 World Cup with powerful displays for 4th placed Wales. Earlier dismissed as a new Derwyn Jones, Charteris has excelled in both set pieces and defence, especially off the bench. Due to numerous injuries, however, he has only managed 16 matches for Perpignan.
The future- Ian Evans to Toulon, Jonathan Davies to ASM Clermont Auvergne.
Evans will compete with seasoned veterans such as Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams, as well as French international Jocelino Suta. Davies could play alongside electric Wesley Fofana in midfield, if he can oust stalwart Aurelien Rougerie and All Black Benson Stanley.
James Hook: Left the Ospreys after being moved to inside centre for Perpignan, who would appease his desire to play standoff. After two seasons, Camille Lopez was signed and Hook was moved to fullback. Since his move, he has been a fairly constant part of the side, reliable off the tee and being named in many top XVs. Would he have moved if he knew he would again be moved away from the halfbacks?
Lee Byrne: Left same time as Hook, Byrne went to perennial Top14/HEC contenders/chokers, and has fit in well in the side. He has been the preferred fullback in HEC matches over much-hyped outside back Jean-Marcellin Buttin. He has recently been linked with a return to Wales, unsurprising considering his expressed desire to return to the national squad.
Mike Phillips: The final member of the defected Ospreys trifecta of 2011, the troubled scrumhalf went to struggling Bayonne. He failed to stand out in an tepid backline and has faced numerous alcohol-related issues off-field. Recently expelled from the team and now will hopefully finish the season with Racing Metro, alongside our next two players...
Dan Lydiate: The 2012 Six Nations Player of the tournament ended that year announcing a move to high-spending Seine club Racing Metro. Lydiate overcame a potentially crippling injury early on in his club career to establish himself as the first choice Welsh blindside and Lions starter. The move to Racing, however, has come at a cost. He has not been first choice, preferring Wenceles Lauret and Bernard le Roux. His lack of gametime has raised question marks over his ability to perform for Wales, where he remains first choice blindside.
Jamie Roberts: Roberts played remarkably little rugby for the Blues over the past few years, that one would be forgiving for thinking he had left sometime after the 2009 Lions tour. It came as no surprise that he eventually left for France, where he admitted years ago he would like to do at some point. Roberts only managed three starts for RM92 before an ankle injury that still keeps him sidelined..
Gavin Henson: Headline-maker Henson joined Toulon after a brief stint with Saracens in early 2011. His debut temporarily silenced critics, setting up a try before scoring one himself. After an incident with clubmates, he was offered a chance to remain in the team at the expense of his international career. He turned down the offer and moved to Cardiff Blues in late 2011 before joining London Welsh in 2012 and finally Bath in 2013.
Gethin Jenkins: The highly acclaimed prop joined Toulon in 2012 alongside English international Andrew Sheridan, but quickly found himself out in the cold. Issues with scrummaging reduced his role to that of a bench prop, which only ended when his contract was prematurely ended, allowing him to return to Cardiff.
Aled Brew: After numerous eye-catching displays with Newport Gwent Dragons and injuries out wide, Aled Brew found himself on a plane to New Zealand for the World Cup. Following this, he announced a move to Biarritz, ending his brief stint with the national team. He has battled with American wing Ngwenya and up-and-coming French flyer Teddy Thomas to start. Despite being the record try scorer for the Dragons, Brew has managed only two tries in two seasons.
Luke Charteris: The 6'9" second row caught the eyes of many during the 2011 World Cup with powerful displays for 4th placed Wales. Earlier dismissed as a new Derwyn Jones, Charteris has excelled in both set pieces and defence, especially off the bench. Due to numerous injuries, however, he has only managed 16 matches for Perpignan.
The future- Ian Evans to Toulon, Jonathan Davies to ASM Clermont Auvergne.
Evans will compete with seasoned veterans such as Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams, as well as French international Jocelino Suta. Davies could play alongside electric Wesley Fofana in midfield, if he can oust stalwart Aurelien Rougerie and All Black Benson Stanley.
