Raft of new faces arrive in Welsh rugby as X-Factor All Black makes immediate impression

There are going to be quite a few new faces in Welsh rugby next term, with players arriving at the four regions from far and wide. Supporters will already be familiar with some of them, while others will be more of an unknown quantity. So here’s the lowdown on the recruits that are rocking up in Wales as pre-season gets underway.

The dual-country international isn’t the first member of his family to head for Wales, with his elder brother Sione having had a spell in the Scarlets second row. Timani made history last year by becoming the first player to represent a second national team since World Rugby changed its eligibility rules.

Having previously won 12 caps for Australia, he switched to the land of his birth Tonga, making his debut for them against England at Twickenham in November. He covers the back five of the scrum, but Cardiff plan to employ the versatile 31-year-old as a lock, having signed him from Toulon. Dai Young feels he will bring “a real physical presence, impressive work-rate, line out prowess and ball-handling ability”

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One of the most familiar faces in Welsh rugby, with 91 caps to his name, yet it’s six years since he actually played his club rugby here. Now the former Dragons No 8 is returning to the domestic scene, having made the move from Bath. He had his injury issues during his time at The Rec, but when he’s fit there are few classier performers as he once again demonstrated on the tour of South Africa. It’s remarkable to think he is still only 31.

This will be Young’s second spell at the Arms Park, but not that many people will recall seeing him during his first, as his appearances were pretty limited