There will be some big announcements over the coming weeks

The Ospreys need to replace Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan ahead of next season(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency)

With the 2025/26 season nearing its end, all four Welsh professional clubs — Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets — are already turning their attention to recruitment ahead of next year.

A number of signings have already been announced, with more expected in the coming weeks, but plenty of work remains if each side is to build a squad capable of competing consistently next season.

From adding depth in key positions to bringing in greater experience and physicality, every region has clear areas that need strengthening this summer.

Here are the positions all four must target before the start of the new campaign.

Cardiff

The front-five is an area Cardiff need to target for recruitment.

Cardiff look like a well-coached team and have punched above their weight in many respects this season with the pack putting in a good shift.

They have the makings of a good pack but it still needs strengthening.

Josh McNally has had a huge impact on this side but at 35 he probably only has one more season left. George Nott and Rory Thornton have also played well this term.

But Cardiff should prioritise signing a tighthead lock for next season, although Teddy Williams will feel like a new signing having missed the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign with a dislocated foot.

They need an enforcer or two to add a greater physical edge to the front five.

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What the Cardiff pack needs more than anything is more ball carriers because they currently do not lack athleticism and have plenty of jackal threats at the breakdown.

Behind the scrum they have been heavily linked with a move for Wales outside-half Jarrod Evans.

The one area where Cardiff have struggled in recent seasons is outside-centre and they have never truly replaced Rey Lee-Lo.

Van Zyl has added Namibian centre Le Roux Malan but they could do with another option.

Confirmed signings: Scott Sio (Exeter Chiefs), Le Roux Malan (Sharks)

Dragons RFC

The Dragons have been very busy in the transfer market with Hurricanes scrum-half Ere Enari the standout signing.

Filo Tiatia has to figure out how to replace Wales star Aaron Wainwright who will join English giants Leicester Tigers next season.

The club has signed backrower Terrell Peita from the Blues but they may need two players to replace Wainwright, given his influence on this Dragons side.

An extra ball carrier in the back-row wouldn’t go amiss.

They are also a bit light at outside-half and could use a new signing to compete with Tinus de Beer for the number 10 shirt.

Jac Lloyd is a talented player with promise and Angus O’Brien can also play outside-half (although he is used primarily as a full-back), but they could use another option in this area.

The Dragons have a stronger backbone to the side but have lacked some creativity behind the scrum.

Aneurin Owen has been outstanding this season while Fine Inisi has added some punch but they could also use a more creative option.

Dragons: Terrell Peita (Auckland Blues), Ere Enari (Hurricanes), Anzelo Tuitavuki (Colomiers), Caio Parry (RGC)

Ospreys

The Ospreys need to do some serious recruitment having lost Wales pair Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan to Gloucester.

Mark Jones’ side has decent options in-house at hooker with Sam Parry, Efan Daniel and Lewis Lloyd, so they could get away with spending their money elsewhere.

An openside flanker is essential even though they do have Wales cap Harri Deaves, and Morgan Morse can also play this position.

The Ospreys are also looking at former Wallabies lock Lachlan Swinton, who can also play in the backrow, from European champions Bordeaux-Begles.

That would be a quality signing if they can pull it off.

Looking at the pack tighthead prop is an area they need to strengthen. With Tom Botha approaching the end of his career they have Ben Warren, Rhys Henry and the promising Kian Hire on their books.

But they could use a new signing in that department.

The loss of Jack Walsh to Montauban is a big blow and the Ospreys are in the market for an outside-half to compete with Dan Edwards for the number 10 shirt.

Jones has already signed Wales star Tom Rogers from the Scarlets and the rumour is the 27-year-old will primarily play full-back next season.

Losing the popular Dan Kasende will disappoint Ospreys fans and given Ryan Conbeer will also be leaving the club they could do with a physical wing.

Confirmed signings: Tom Rogers (Scarlets)

Scarlets

The Scarlets need to significantly strengthen their front five if they are to climb up the URC table next season.

It is a period of transition at Parc y Scarlets with many members of the pack moving on at the end of this campaign.

Loosehead prop Alec Hepburn, Springboks hooker Marnus van der Merwe, Wales international Jake Ball and Australian Max Douglas are all departing at the end of this season.

Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies and head of recruitment James Davies will be working hard behind the scenes to put a pack together.

The Scarlets have already signed Wales loosehead Corey Domachowski from Cardiff and Leinster hooker John McKee, while former England U20s lock Harvey Cuckson has signed a permanent contract from Bath.

These signings are all welcome but the Scarlets could use another strong scrummaging tighthead ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Australian Archer Holz is a powerful scrummager but has spent significant time out injured, while Henry Thomas is approaching the end of his career at 34.

The Scarlets do have Harri O’Connor on their books, while youngsters Gabe Hawley, Jac Pritchard and Yestyn Cook have shown promise.

But this is an area they need to recruit. Second-row is the other position where they are in desperate need of strengthening.

The Scarlets still have the experienced Sam Lousi and they are on the verge of signing Alex Groves from the Stormers but they could still use another tighthead lock.

Missing out on Welsh-qualified Canterbury Crusaders lock Tahlor Cahill was a blow in this regard but they are still in the market.

They are also thought to be close to signing All Blacks backrower Cullen Grace from the Crusaders.

The Scarlets could also use an experienced outside-half to go in between Sam Costelow and the talented Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, while a power wing wouldn’t go amiss either.

Confirmed signings: John McKee (Leinster), George Roberts (Dragons), Harvey Cuckson (Bath), Corey Domachowski (Cardiff)