Wales' regions may have seen more star names depart but the summer has also seen one of the most active recruitment drives in recent years.

There were notable departures with the loss of Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Aaron Wainwright and Marnus van der Merwe.

And Welsh professional men's rugby continues to be hit by off-field uncertainty with the WRU committed to cutting the number of regions from four to three.

But Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - now all signed up to the new participation agreement and an increase in annual budget - have made significant additions as they seek old heads and overseas talent to help develop young homegrown squads for the 2026-27 season.

BBC Sport Wales looks at which signings could have a big say on whether the season is a success.

Rogers made more than 70 appearances for Scarlets before his move

Only a handful of players have made the short but telling switch between west Wales rivals Scarlets and Ospreys.

Jac Morgan and Gavin Henson began their careers in Llanelli before making a name in Swansea while Lee Byrne was already a Test player when he moved in the same direction.

But Tom Rogers already had a place in history when - as a Scarlet - he became the first Wales player to score three tries against New Zealand last November.

He had number 11 on his back on that occasion but has moved to St Helen's with the aim of pushing for more caps wearing 15.

Rogers, who believes he is a better full-back than wing, could provide Ospreys with a different sort of threat from deep after the departure of Jack Walsh.

Head coach Mark Jones said: "Tom is a bit of a Swiss Army Knife in the fact he is equally adept at full-back and wing, and we have no doubt that he will hit the ground running."

Ospreys also have Lewis Edwards coming through after he impressed with his big boot for Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championship - but 27-year-old Rogers will aim to make the 15 jersey his own in Swansea.

Gareth Anscombe (Scarlets)

Anscombe will represent a third Welsh regions after previous stints at Cardiff and Ospreys

Gareth Anscombe will certainly be an influence off the pitch at Scarlets with the experience of 37 Test caps, two World Cup campaigns and a Grand Slam.

How much the 35-year-old will impact matters on the pitch will likely depend on his ability to remain fit.

Amscombe's career has been beset by injury and arrives at Parc y Scarlets on the back of just five appeances last season for Bayonne.

In fact he has only twice manged double figures a season for a club - Ospreys in 2021-22 and Gloucester in 2024-25 - since rupturing knee ligaments in 2019.

Scarlets have signed him to provide competition for Wales playmaker Sam Costelow and ensure Joe Hawkins remains in his favoured position of inside centre.

Anscombe also arrives to help develop teenager Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, who was thrust into the starting line-up last season due to injuries and unavailability.

"I feel like I've got a nice place to fill in supporting those young guys," he told the Scrum V podcast.

"I would love to see Sam and Carwyn progress and have long careers ahead of them.

"I want to be playing a bit, supporting the group and hopefully passing on some knowledge I've learned over my career."

Sio has won two caps for Samoa after previously playing for Australia

Cardiff have plenty of firepower in the backs but need to provide a platform if they are to make the next step.

The Blue and Blacks qualified for the play-offs last season by finishing sixth but were comprehensively beaten by Stormers in the quarter-finals.

"It is obvious, our set-piece needs to improve," said flanker Dan Thomas in the immediate aftermath of the Cape Town loss.

"The Stormers were dominant and we didn't cope. We knew it was coming and still couldn't stop it."

Loose-head prop Scott Sio, who won 74 caps for Australia, arrives from Exeter charged with helping to drive improvement in that department.

"One of the biggest things Cardiff want to pride themselves on is that set-piece," said the 34-year-old.

"Hopefully I can be a good cog in the wheel there and provide some experience."

Sio made the last of his 86 appearances for Chiefs in June's Prem final at Twickenham and still harbours ambitions of reaching a third World Cup, now with Samoa.

"He is very experienced and wants to look after the boys around him in the changing room, in the gym, on the pitch," said head coach Corniel van Zyl.

Ereatara Enari (Dragons)

Scrum-half Enari played for Samoa at the 2023 World Cup

Dragons had their quietest summer for many years, focusing on retention rather than recruitment.

Filo Tiatia has added just three senior players to his squad - Tonga wing Anzelo Tuitavuki, Samoa scrum-half Ereatara Enari and back-row forward Terrell Peita from New Zealand.

Enari arrives fresh from winning Super Rugby with Hurricanes - he was All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard's deputy but was trusted with regular minutes when making 15 appearances in the successful campaign.

"He's a winner, a tough and competitive nine with a big engine and good in defence. He's also got that X-Factor abut him, and you see that with him scoring tries," said Dragons defence coach Dale MacLeod.

The 29-year-old will battle with Wales hopeful Che Hope, Morgan Lloyd and Wales veteran Rhodri Williams but has also been signed for his leadership.

"He's a quality person who is team first with selections and knows his role working with the younger players in the group. He'll drive them to get better," added MacLeod.

More on this story

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