Welsh regions' overseas recruitment wave draws 20-year comparison from Tom Shanklin

Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin has welcomed the surge of international recruits arriving at Welsh rugby’s four United Rugby Championship regions this summer, arguing the signings echo a more competitive era for the game in Wales from 20 years ago.

The Ospreys have led the way in terms of volume, bringing in Australians Marika Koroibete, Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton and Lalakai Foketi. Cardiff Rugby have added 76-cap Wallaby prop Scott Sio alongside Namibian centre Le Roux Malan and Tongan forward Semisi Paea. The Dragons have recruited Samoan scrum-half Ere Enari, Tongan wing Anzelo Tuitavuki and New Zealand No 8 Terrell Peita, while the Scarlets have signed All Blacks-linked duo Cullen Grace and Isaac Murray-MacGregor plus South African lock Alex Grove.

“I can’t remember a season where there have been as many big-name signings. That’s the positive,” said Shanklin, a double Grand Slam winner with Wales. “We’ve obviously lost Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, but there have been some really good signings. To strengthen the teams, there has to be a foreign influx and we’ve got that.”

Shanklin drew a direct line to a period when overseas players helped raise standards and culture within Welsh clubs. “If you go back 20 years, it used to be a regular thing and the teams were competitive,” he said. “I would be excited as a youngster seeing different nationalities coming over who have played international rugby. It’s a feel-good factor to show that these regions want to compete.”

The former Cardiff back pointed to specific past imports as a template for what the new arrivals could offer beyond their on-field contributions. “If you look at what the likes of Xavier Rush and Nick Williams did, it’s experience and a fair bit of culture as well, in terms of how to hold yourself in training and looking after yourself. Xavier Rush was brilliant, while Paul Tito was one of the better ones — just the bloke he was. He was massive for culture, for values.”

On the current standings among Welsh sides, Shanklin identified Cardiff as the benchmark after they finished sixth in the URC last season and qualified for the Champions Cup. “I think they will probably be the best Welsh team again this year,” he said. “Winning ten out of 11 home games in the league last season is massive for confidence, making the Arms Park a tough place to come. Jarrod Evans coming back gives them real good options at fly-half, and Scott Sio seems to have fitted in really well.”

With Welsh rugby having endured a difficult run of results across the regions in recent seasons, Shanklin acknowledged the signings are not a guaranteed fix but believes the short-term lift in profile and quality is a necessary step.