It’s that time of year when a number of Welsh rugby players find themselves in a challenging situation.

At the end of each season, the regions reveal their list of released players and we have reached that point again, with more than 30 players departing.

It’s been an even more testing time than usual this year, with Project Reset having held things up in terms of making offers and finalising squads, leaving some players in limbo and facing uncertain futures.

For both youngsters left looking for a club elsewhere and seasoned individuals left contemplating hanging up their boots, it's a time of big decisions.

So what next for the group of players let go by the regions?

Rugby correspondent Simon Thomas has been doing some digging behind the scenes and talking to players involved to find out their plans.

RELEASED PLAYERS

Cardiff Blues

Tom James - Having reached a mutual agreement to leave the Blues a year early, the 12-cap winger wants to keep on playing rugby in Wales, ideally at professional level. He says he's firing on all cylinders again and ready to go.

George Earle - It will be French Division Two rugby for the South African lock next season as he will be playing for Colomiers, a club in suburban Toulouse. Has spent the last seven years in Wales, first with the Scarlets and then Cardiff Blues.

Sion Bennett - A versatile back row forward, currently looking for a club, with various options potentially in the pipeline, both in England and France. Played 18 times for Cardiff Blues after joining from Northampton in early 2017.

Matthew Rees - The former Wales captain has finally hung up his boots after an illustrious playing career which spanned some 20 years. He has been gaining coaching experience in recent years, with Pontypridd RFC and Cardiff Blues youngsters, and has much to offer working with players. The 38-year-old is currently considering various options within rugby.

Wales rugby star Matthew Rees
Former Wales skipper Matthew Rees

Steve Shingler - The two-times Wales tourist will be playing for Ealing Trailfinders next season, having been on a short-team deal with French Division Two side Stade Montois since leaving the Blues. Will cover 10 and 12 for the English Championship club.

Jack Roberts - The north Walian centre had no luck at all at the Arms Park, being plagued by injuries following his arrival from Leicester. He will now be hoping for better luck in Yorkshire, having signed for Doncaster.

Tom Williams - Island life beckons for the younger brother of Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams, with Jersey Rugby his next destination following his departure from the Blues. The back-three man, now 28, has previously seen action with the Scarlets, Carmarthen Quins and Cardiff RFC.

Blaine Scully - The popular USA captain still had a year to run on his Cardiff Blues contract, but both parties mutually agreed to part ways. He has returned to the States and will now focus on the Eagles build-up to the World Cup.

Ben Jones in goal-kicking action

Ben Jones - An accomplished goal-kicker who can cover fly-half and full-back, he is pursuing options in Wales and across the bridge in England having been let go by the Blues. Made six regional appearances and has turned out for both Pontypridd and Merthyr in the Premiership.

Cameron Lewis - The Wattstown RFC product is looking for a club for next season after being released by the Blues. A classy centre, he will be on Wales duty at the London Sevens at Twickenham this weekend.

Dane Blacker - It hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but the Wales U20s international scrum-half will be joining the Scarlets following his exit from the Arms Park.

Corey Howells - Left the Dragons Academy to join Cardiff Blues on a development contract in late 2017, but was limited to just the two outings before being released. Just 20, he has plenty of time on his side.

George Thomas - From Builth Wells farming stock, the 19-year-old winger is set to be playing for Pontypridd next season, while studying at Cardiff University. Released by Cardiff Blues but could come into contention for their A team.

Dragons

Jason Tovey - Having completed his third spell at the Dragons, the 30-year-old fly-half could potentially be a target for Cardiff Blues, with Gareth Anscombe and Steve Shingler both having left the Arms Park.

Jason Tovey pictured in his third spell with the Dragons

Zane Kirchner - He will be 35 next month, so leaving the Men of Gwent after a two-season stay could mark the end of a playing career that brought this versatile back 31 caps for South Africa.

Gavin Henson - Released by the Dragons and has maybe played his last competitive rugby, but still making the headlines, this time by moving into the pub and restaurant business, buying the freehold on the Fox and Hounds in St Brides Major. Can be seen in action one more time in the Paul James testimonial match in July.

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Jarryd Sage - The South African centre is busy looking for a club and hoping to stay in the UK after being let go by the Dragons. He’s the grandson of former Springboks No 8 Doug Hopwood and the brother of Blue Bulls Super Rugby wing Dylan Sage.

Rhodri Davies - It’s Cornish Pirates next for the 27-year-old scrum-half who made just the one start for the Dragons after arriving from Rotherham Titans last summer. From Crymych in Pembrokeshire, he was previously with the Scarlets.

George Gasson - The 22-year-old winger is still aiming to be playing professional rugby next season after being released by the Dragons and would be a decent acquisition. A Wales U20s cap, he will be on international duty again this weekend at the London Sevens.

Ospreys

Tom Habberfield - A fine servant of the Ospreys over some eight years, making 135 appearances at scrum-half and wing. Now released, the 27-year-old could be seen in the Principality Premiership next season.

Prop forward Alex Jeffries is heading for the Scarlets

Alex Jeffries - The 24-year-old tight-head prop is set to join the Scarlets following his departure from the Liberty Stadium. He made his debut for Newport RFC as a 17-year old and was with the Dragons Academy before moving west.

Giorgi Nemsadze - The much-travelled back-five forward, who is now 34, has returned to Georgia to prepare for the World Cup after bidding farewell to the Ospreys.

James Ratti - Has been linked with Cardiff Blues since being released following 13 appearances for the Ospreys. A 6ft 4ins lock who started out with Dunvant RFC and has been capped by Wales U20s.

Second row James Ratti has been linked with Cardiff Blues

 

Joe Thomas - A Grand Slam winner with Wales U20s, the 23-year-old centre has moved to New Zealand after being deemed surplus to requirements by the Ospreys and is playing for the Otorohanga club in King Country.

Scarlets

Will Boyde - There was a lot of disappointment among Scarlets fans when the popular back rower was released, amid concern that he would be lost to Welsh rugby. But he will be staying in the regional game, having signed for Cardiff Blues.

David Bulbring - No definite news yet about the 29-year-old South African lock, who made 79 appearances during his three seasons with the Scarlets. Would certainly do a job for someone.

Tom Price - It’s back to England for the Leamington Spa-born former Leicester lock, who is joining Exeter after making 56 appearances during his three years in west Wales. Ended up on crutches after picking up a hamstring injury while on duty for Llanelli in last weekend’s play-off victory over Pontypool.

Declan Smith is out in New Zealand

Declan Smith - Like Joe Thomas, scrum-half Smith is another U20s Grand Slam winner who is now trying his luck in New Zealand after regional release. Out there on a trial basis at the moment, he made his provincial debut for the Tasman Mako High Performance side against Hawkes Bay Magpies last week.