Welsh rugby's ins, outs and re-signings for 2026-27

More turmoil in Welsh rugby has impacted the squad-shaping at Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets ahead of 2026-27.

This season has been played amid uncertainty due to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) aiming to cut one of the four professional clubs.

The WRU still wants to press on with their proposal but the quartet will remain as they are until at least 2028.

That small amount of clarity has helped coaches retain talent and bring players in, although star names Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake and Aaron Wainwright are heading for new challenges.

BBC Sport Wales rounds up the moves that have been confirmed so far.

In: Cardiff have bolstered their midfield with Namibia centre Le Roux Malan from Sharks and replaced Scarlets-bound loose-head prop Corey Domachowski with former Australia international Scott Sio, who has spent four years with Exeter.

Wales fly-half Jarrod Evans is expected to return to the Arms Park after leaving Harlequins.

Re-signed: An important bit of contract business was ensuring some clarity by agreeing a deal with head coach Corniel van Zyl, who stepped up after the loss of Matt Sherratt to Wales on the eve of the 2025-26 season.

He will be in charge of a raft of Wales internationals who have extended their Arms Park stays, including captain Liam Belcher and lock Josh McNally.

Josh Adams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Mason Grady, Keiron Assiratti, Danny Southworth, Callum Sheedy, Jacob Beetham and Evan Lloyd have signed new contracts along with Aled Davies, Dan Thomas and Rhys Barratt, who will hunt a first cap this summer.

South African scrum-half Johan Mulder has committed to a third season in the Welsh capital, while Wales Under-20s talents Steff Emanuel and Tom Bowen have both signed new contracts.

Leigh Halfpenny tops the leavers list after announcing his retirement but the list does not currently include Wales legendary number eight Taulupe Faletau.

Out: Halfpenny (retired), Corey Domachowski (Scarlets), Ben Donnell (Ulster), Ed Byrne (Leinster), Will Davies-King, Rory Jennings, Mackenzie Martin.

In: After a busy 2025 recruitment drive, Dragons are looking to build on a promising campaign with a handful of signings.

Filo Tiatia has so far brought in Tonga wing Anzelo Tuitavuki from Colomiers and Caio Parry will have a chance to impress on a dual contract with Pontypool after standing out in Super Rygbi Cymru with RGC.

New Zealander Terrell Peita, who made his Super Rugby debut with Blues in May, arrives to bolster a back row that will be hit hard by the loss of talisman Aaron Wainwright to Leicester.

Samoa scrum-half Ere Enari arrives from Super Rugby Pacific (SRP) table-toppers Hurricanes.

Re-signed: Rejuvenated wing Rio Dyer signed fresh terms along with Che Hope, who would have been a leading candidate for Wales' summer tour were it not for injury.

Wales back row Shane Lewis-Hughes has also signed a new deal to remain at Rodney Parade. They 28-year-old, who has three Wales caps, joined the club ahead of the 2024-25 season and has so far made 36 appearances, scoring four tries.

Angus O'Brien, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, David Richards, Oli Burrows and Matthew Screech will be back after being key figures in an improved campaign.

Out: Aaron Wainwright (Leicester), James Benjamin, Luke Yendle, Ewan Rosser (Pontypool), Niall Armstrong, George Roberts, Mackenzie Martin (Beziers).

In: Ospreys have bolstered their back three with Wales international Tom Rogers from Scarlets - the 27-year-old scored a hat-trick against New Zealand from wing but could also be an option at full-back given the loss of Jack Walsh.

Another backline addition is Dan John, the Cardiff-born 24-year-old returning to Wales after playing all his senior rugby for Exeter Chiefs.

Re-signed: Ospreys have suffered some high-profile exits but have also done some good business in retention.

Fly-half Dan Edwards was on Leicester's radar but will stay to pull the strings in Swansea.

Morgan Morse, Harri Deaves, Kieran Hardy, Keelan Giles, Sam Parry, Evardi Boshoff, Tom Botha, Garyn Phillips, Lewis Lloyd, Steffan Thomas and Kian Hire will also feature for Mark Jones' side at a revamped St Helen's.

Out: Jac Morgan (Gloucester), Dewi Lake (Gloucester), James Fender (Grenoble), Jack Walsh (Montauban), Phil Cokanasiga (Gloucester), Dan Kasende, Luke Scully, Ryan Conbeer, Tom Florence, Will Greatbanks.

In: Scarlets have bolstered their front row by signing Wales loose-head prop Corey Domachowski from rivals Cardiff.

The arrival of Leinster hooker John McKee and George Roberts from Dragons will help fill the void left by Marnus van der Merwe, who leaves for Munster.

Welsh-qualified lock Harvey Cuckson will arrive from Bath on a permanent deal after impressing during two loan spells in 2025-26.

Twenty-year-old Welsh-qualified full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor - the cousin of Joe Roberts - joins from the Canterbury and Crusaders pathway in New Zealand.

Wales and Scarlets lock Jake Ball has played his last game of professional rugby after announcing he will retire at the end of the season, but the recruitment of the 6ft 9in Alex Groves from DHL Stormers will help plug that gap.

They have not yet confirmed whether Nigel Davies will continue to lead the region having been appointed interim director of rugby midway through the season.

Re-signed: Number eight Fletcher Anderson - arguably the signing of the season - has agreed new terms and Wales flanker Josh Macleod is staying in Llanelli, alongside fellow back rower Dan Davis.

Former Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies, who will be 36 in August, is set for another season of professional rugby after signing a new one-year deal.

Lively full-back Jac Davies steps up to the senior squad from the academy, while Tonga lock Sam Lousi has also committed by signing another deal.

Out: Marnus van der Merwe (Munster), Alec Hepburn (Edinburgh), Tom Rogers (Ospreys), Jake Ball (retired), Max Douglas, Ben Williams, Rhodri Lewis, Dan Gemine.