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.

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.

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 Rhys Barratt, who will hunt a first cap this summer.

Wales Under-20s talents Steff Emanuel and Tom Bowen also signed new contracts.

Out:Leigh Halfpenny (retired), Corey Domachowski (Scarlets), Ben Donnell (Ulster).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 and Lewis Lloyd 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).

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

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

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.

Lively full-back Jac Davies steps up to the senior squad from the academy.

Out:Marnus van der Merwe (Munster), Alec Hepburn (Edinburgh), Tom Rogers (Ospreys).