Bath’s Andy Williams is moving back to Wales after signing a two-year deal with the Neath-Swansea region, Pontypridd’s Gareth Baber is joining the Gwent Dragons and Newport’s Dale Burn has signed a one-year deal with the Llanelli Scarlets.
Williams, a Wales A representative, is the fourth Welshman to return from exile at the Recreation Ground following the decision of Gareth Cooper, Nathan Thomas and Gavin Thomas to join the regional revolution.
Neath-Swansea director Mike Cuddy said: “We have been trying to finalise the deal for a couple of months, and it is great news for the region that it has finally gone through.
“Andy is a local boy, with a great attitude and a huge natural talent. He still has a lot to prove but he is hungry and prepared to work hard.
“I have no doubt he will be pushing for senior international honours in the not too distant future.”
Williams, 22, has three Wales A caps under his belt from 2001 though has been stuck behind countryman Gareth Cooper and Ross Blake in the pecking order at Bath.
Meanwhile, former Newport and Wales A scrum-half Burn has joined the Scarlets on a one year contract.
Burn, who failed to win a contract with the Gwent Dragons, will be behind Dwayne Peel and Michael Phillips in the squad, but will be a key player while those two are at the World Cup.
”I’m not going down there as No 2 or No 3 but to compete, win my place in the team as No 1 and hopefully put my Wales career back on track after playing for Wales A two years ago,” said Burn.
He joins a growing Gwent contingent at Stradey, with Chris Wyatt, Iestyn Thomas, and Matthew Watkins all furthering their international ambitions since making the same move.
“More than one player has improved after leaving Gwent and I hope I’ll do the same.”
Baber, 30, is expected to sign with the Gwent Dragons this weekend to replace Samoan international Ofisa Tonu’u.
