EARLIER THIS MONTH, we took a look at the new signings made by clubs in the Top 14 and English Premiership as the 2015/16 season looms into view.
Johnny Sexton is the biggest signing of the summer. Colm O'Neill / INPHO
Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO
With just over two weeks until the pre-season friendlies begin, we turn our attention to the Guinness Pro12 sides and detail their key signings.
Cardiff Blues
Top of the Blues’ recruitment is Samoan international Rey Lee-Lo, who played 12 times during the Hurricanes’ run to the Super Rugby final. The dynamic centre is joined in Cardiff by 10-times capped Wales wing Tom James, who has moved from Exeter.
A pair of USA internationals have been secured in the shape of wing Blaine Scully from Leicester Tigers and back row Cam Dolan from Northampton Saints. Finally, lock James Down has come on board after leaving London Welsh.
Connacht
Pat Lam’s side have made Quinn Roux and John Cooney permanent members of their squad following loan spells from Leinster last season, while lock Ben Marshall has also made the move west.
Api Pewhairangi is expected to play in midfield. Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Ireland rugby league international and ex-Parramatta Eels man Api Pewhairangi is an interesting addition, while openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua has been drafted in from Auckland.
Dragons
The Dragons have added scrum-half experience to their squad with the signing of South African Sarel Pretorius, while former England U20 man Charlie Davies offers more depth in the position after joining from Wasps.
Once-capped Wales international centre Adam Warren has switched from the Scarlets, as powerful prop Shaun Knight joins from Gloucester.
Edinburgh
Alan Solomons’ men can look forward to having a Super Rugby-winning captain in their ranks this season as the superb number eight Nasi Manu joins from the Highlanders.
Advertisement
Nasi Manu leads the Highlanders in song after they won the Super Rugby title. Photosport / Grant Down/INPHO
Photosport / Grant Down/INPHO / Grant Down/INPHO
Irish wing Michael Allen will be one to follow after his move from Ulster, while ex-England U20 scrum-half Nathan Fowles looks to ignite his career at the age of 22. Tongan international wing Will Helu will be one of those competing with Allen for a place in the XV.
Glasgow Warriors
The defending champions have brought in a number of new faces ahead of their quest to compete in Europe, with mammoth Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro the star addition.
There was some doubt over the move, even from the player himself, but it now appears that the Fiji-born giant will honour his contract in Glasgow. Italy back row Simone Favaro is a smart addition from Treviso, while 22-year-old Australian centre Sam Johnson has shown promise.
USA lock Greg Peterson has been secured on a two-year deal, while a trio of Scotland internationals have joined in back row Kieran Low and scrum-halves Mike Blair and Grayson Hart. Exciting Welsh prop Javan Sebastian has signed from the Scarlets.
Leinster
Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton is the best addition made by any side in the league this summer, while the return of Isa Nacewa is exciting for fans of the province who fondly remember the versatile back in his prime.
Nacewa is back. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Mick Kearney returns to his native province from Connacht to bolster the locking ranks as Kane Douglas checks out, while propping duo Ian Hirst and Royce Burke-Flynn have been plucked from Clontarf in the Ulster Bank League.
With Conor Murray away at the World Cup, Anthony Foley has brought Tomás O’Leary home from London Irish to offer experience in the scrum-half position.
The marquee signing is that of New Zealand-capped centre Francis Saili, a hugely dynamic centre from the Blues. Matt D’Arcy joins on a short-term contract from Clontarf, while promising backrow/centre Jordan Coghlan has made the move south from Leinster.
Ospreys
Steve Tandy has largely kept faith with the squad that earned a semi-final spot last season, but his four additions look like clever ones.
New Zealand international scrum-half Brendon Leonard has joined after a frustrating year with Zebre, while number eight Gareth Delve returns to Wales after four seasons in Australia and Japan.
Former Wales back row Delve returns from Japan. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Wing Kristian Phillips moves from the Scarlets and 60-times capped Wales prop Paul James has joined from Bath to lend his depth of international experience.
Scarlets
The brilliant Canada wing DTH van der Merwe is a Scarlets players after signing from Glasgow, although the remainder of the Welsh region’s recruitment is less notable.
Former Wales U20 back row Morgan Allen has signed from the Ospreys, sevens international Aled Thomas has come on board, prop Will Taylor joins after racking up Premiership experience with Wasps, and fullback Tom Williams has been secured on a loan deal from Cardiff.
Treviso
33-year-old New Zealand-capped scrum-half Chris Smylie is the Italian outfit’s Southern Hemisphere signing of choice, making the move from the Hurricanes.
Italy internationals Luke McLean, Robert Barbieri, Alberto de Marchi and Tommasso Iannone will also improve Treviso, while hugely-experienced former England lock Tom Palmer can benefit the off-field culture.
Samoan international Filo Paulo is another good second row addition after signing from Cardiff, while Italy-capped back row Jean-François Montauriol has also joined.
Ulster
Willie Faloon re-joins his native province after three seasons of capturing Connacht fans’ hearts, while the Irish-qualified Peter Browne joins to add more depth to the back row, as well as covering lock.
Faloon won over Connacht's fans. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Ex-Munster man Paul Rowley has mirrored Browne in making the move from London Welsh, while Australian out-half Sam Windsor - also Irish-qualified – has signed from Worcester Warriors, having had a training stint with Leinster last season.
Zebre
The Italian minnows have looked to 34-year-old Mils Muliaina as one of those they hope can lift their fortunes this season, while 37-times capped Wallaby scrum-half Luke Burgess replaces Brendon Leonard.
South African Jean Cook is a strong addition from the Cheetahs and his compatriots Ulrich Beyers and Johan Meyer offer new options in the centre and back row, respectively.
Argentina international hooker Bruno Postiglioni has also joined, with the remainder of Zebre’s new faces coming from the Italian domestic league.
Here's who the Pro12 clubs have signed for the 2015/16 season
EARLIER THIS MONTH, we took a look at the new signings made by clubs in the Top 14 and English Premiership as the 2015/16 season looms into view.
With just over two weeks until the pre-season friendlies begin, we turn our attention to the Guinness Pro12 sides and detail their key signings.
Cardiff Blues
Top of the Blues’ recruitment is Samoan international Rey Lee-Lo, who played 12 times during the Hurricanes’ run to the Super Rugby final. The dynamic centre is joined in Cardiff by 10-times capped Wales wing Tom James, who has moved from Exeter.
A pair of USA internationals have been secured in the shape of wing Blaine Scully from Leicester Tigers and back row Cam Dolan from Northampton Saints. Finally, lock James Down has come on board after leaving London Welsh.
Connacht
Pat Lam’s side have made Quinn Roux and John Cooney permanent members of their squad following loan spells from Leinster last season, while lock Ben Marshall has also made the move west.
Ireland rugby league international and ex-Parramatta Eels man Api Pewhairangi is an interesting addition, while openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua has been drafted in from Auckland.
Dragons
The Dragons have added scrum-half experience to their squad with the signing of South African Sarel Pretorius, while former England U20 man Charlie Davies offers more depth in the position after joining from Wasps.
Once-capped Wales international centre Adam Warren has switched from the Scarlets, as powerful prop Shaun Knight joins from Gloucester.
Edinburgh
Alan Solomons’ men can look forward to having a Super Rugby-winning captain in their ranks this season as the superb number eight Nasi Manu joins from the Highlanders.
Irish wing Michael Allen will be one to follow after his move from Ulster, while ex-England U20 scrum-half Nathan Fowles looks to ignite his career at the age of 22. Tongan international wing Will Helu will be one of those competing with Allen for a place in the XV.
Glasgow Warriors
The defending champions have brought in a number of new faces ahead of their quest to compete in Europe, with mammoth Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro the star addition.
There was some doubt over the move, even from the player himself, but it now appears that the Fiji-born giant will honour his contract in Glasgow. Italy back row Simone Favaro is a smart addition from Treviso, while 22-year-old Australian centre Sam Johnson has shown promise.
USA lock Greg Peterson has been secured on a two-year deal, while a trio of Scotland internationals have joined in back row Kieran Low and scrum-halves Mike Blair and Grayson Hart. Exciting Welsh prop Javan Sebastian has signed from the Scarlets.
Leinster
Ireland out-half Jonathan Sexton is the best addition made by any side in the league this summer, while the return of Isa Nacewa is exciting for fans of the province who fondly remember the versatile back in his prime.
Mick Kearney returns to his native province from Connacht to bolster the locking ranks as Kane Douglas checks out, while propping duo Ian Hirst and Royce Burke-Flynn have been plucked from Clontarf in the Ulster Bank League.
It is expected that Leinster will attempt to recruit another second row after Douglas’ release.
Munster
With Conor Murray away at the World Cup, Anthony Foley has brought Tomás O’Leary home from London Irish to offer experience in the scrum-half position.
The marquee signing is that of New Zealand-capped centre Francis Saili, a hugely dynamic centre from the Blues. Matt D’Arcy joins on a short-term contract from Clontarf, while promising backrow/centre Jordan Coghlan has made the move south from Leinster.
Ospreys
Steve Tandy has largely kept faith with the squad that earned a semi-final spot last season, but his four additions look like clever ones.
New Zealand international scrum-half Brendon Leonard has joined after a frustrating year with Zebre, while number eight Gareth Delve returns to Wales after four seasons in Australia and Japan.
Wing Kristian Phillips moves from the Scarlets and 60-times capped Wales prop Paul James has joined from Bath to lend his depth of international experience.
Scarlets
The brilliant Canada wing DTH van der Merwe is a Scarlets players after signing from Glasgow, although the remainder of the Welsh region’s recruitment is less notable.
Former Wales U20 back row Morgan Allen has signed from the Ospreys, sevens international Aled Thomas has come on board, prop Will Taylor joins after racking up Premiership experience with Wasps, and fullback Tom Williams has been secured on a loan deal from Cardiff.
Treviso
33-year-old New Zealand-capped scrum-half Chris Smylie is the Italian outfit’s Southern Hemisphere signing of choice, making the move from the Hurricanes.
Italy internationals Luke McLean, Robert Barbieri, Alberto de Marchi and Tommasso Iannone will also improve Treviso, while hugely-experienced former England lock Tom Palmer can benefit the off-field culture.
Samoan international Filo Paulo is another good second row addition after signing from Cardiff, while Italy-capped back row Jean-François Montauriol has also joined.
Ulster
Willie Faloon re-joins his native province after three seasons of capturing Connacht fans’ hearts, while the Irish-qualified Peter Browne joins to add more depth to the back row, as well as covering lock.
Ex-Munster man Paul Rowley has mirrored Browne in making the move from London Welsh, while Australian out-half Sam Windsor - also Irish-qualified – has signed from Worcester Warriors, having had a training stint with Leinster last season.
Zebre
The Italian minnows have looked to 34-year-old Mils Muliaina as one of those they hope can lift their fortunes this season, while 37-times capped Wallaby scrum-half Luke Burgess replaces Brendon Leonard.
South African Jean Cook is a strong addition from the Cheetahs and his compatriots Ulrich Beyers and Johan Meyer offer new options in the centre and back row, respectively.
Argentina international hooker Bruno Postiglioni has also joined, with the remainder of Zebre’s new faces coming from the Italian domestic league.
‘He’s tough to please’ – Joe Schmidt’s high standards don’t faze Simon Zebo
Two debutants named in exciting All Blacks team to face South Africa
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Guinness PRO12 Connacht Leinster Munster signings Transfers Ulster