Pro12: Welsh regions' big moves for the 2016-17 season

Jonathan Davies has a chance to play alongside his younger brother James who also plays for Scarlets

The new Pro12 season kicks off on Friday night when Ospreys host Zebre, and it has been a busy summer of comings and goings for Wales' regions.

The return of Wales centre Jonathan Davies to the Scarlets will boost their hopes of being Wales' top region for a second successive season.

The capture of Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell from Cardiff Blues is a further feather in the cap for Wayne Pivac's side, with Patchell hoping to press his claim for a place in the national set-up, having been assured he will play at 10 for his new region.

The Ospreys also brought home an international with lock Bradley Davies signing from Wasps and, along with other key additions, they will be hoping to contend for a fifth Pro12 title.

The versatile Kieron Fonotia has arrived from Crusaders and he should provide a boost behind a pack that includes Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones, hooker Scott Baldwin and flanker Dan Lydiate.

New Ospreys centre Kieron Fonotia began his career with Tasman

Two players with considerable Pro12 experience have also arrived at the Liberty Stadium from the Scarlets and Dragons, with Wales prop Rhodri Jones and Hugh Gustafson adding power to the squad.

However, Wales prop Aaron Jarvis departed for Clermont despite the switch putting his international future in doubt.

Cardiff Blues have also been busy, adding New Zealander Willis Halaholo and they also have high hopes for Matthew Morgan's return to Wales as he looks to add to his five Wales caps.

The Dragons are hoping a trio of signings from Blues gives them a boost, with Sam Hobbs,Craig Mitchell and Tom Davies all now playing their rugby at Rodney Parade.

Further recruitment has seen the Dragons sign Northampton back Pat Howard, centre Sam Beard swap directions with the departed Jason Tovey and fly-half Nick Macleod adding his experience to the region.

However, much will depend on how the Dragons cope with the Welsh regions' most high-profile departure, with Wales and British and Irish Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau joining Bath.

Taulupe Faletau turned out for Cross Keys and Newport RFC in 2009

Cardiff Blues

In: Rhys Gill (Saracens), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets), George Earle (Scarlets), Nick Williams (Ulster) Steven Shingler (Scarlets), Willis Halaholo (Hurricanes), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Rhun Williams (RGC 1404)

Out: Sam Hobbs (Dragons), Craig Mitchell (Dragons), Joe Jones (Perpignan), Chris Dicomidis (Pontypridd), Miles Normandale (Rotherham), Lou Reed (Sale) Manoa Vosawai (RC Vannes), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Merthyr) Richard Smith (Scarlets), Tom Isaacs (Hong Kong Football Club), Gavin Evans (Neath) Tom Williams (Scarlets), Harry Davies (Bath), Elis Wyn-Benham (Merthyr), Tom Davies (Dragons), Tavis Knoyle (Dragons, in season), Salesi Ma'afu (Gloucester, in season)

Rhys Patchell is an ambassador for the Tafwyl Welsh-language festival

Scarlets

In: Werner Kruger (Bulls), Rynier Bernado (Ospreys), Tadhg Beirne (Leinster), Jonathan Evans (Bath), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Richard Smith (Cardiff Blues), Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), Nicky Thomas (Gloucester, in season)

Out: Ben Leung (Cardiff), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Kirby Myhill (Cardiff Blues), Torin Myhill (Carmarthen Quins), Phil John (Retired), Maselino Paulino (Lyon OU), George Earle (Cardiff Blues), Jack Jones (Llanelli), Jack Payne (Released), Connor Lloyd (Carmarthen Quins), Kieran Hardy (Jersey Reds), Rhodri Williams (Bristol), Josh Lewis (Ebbw Vale), Steven Shingler (Cardiff Blues), Regan King (Jersey Reds), Michael Collins (Otago), Harry Robinson (Retired), Michael Tagicakibau (Benetton Rugby Treviso), Jordan Williams (Bristol)

Nick MacLeod is a former Cardiff Blues player

Newport Gwent Dragons

In: Tom Davies (Cardiff Blues), Sam Hobbs (Cardiff Blues), Darran Harris (Rotherham), Craig Mitchell (Cardiff Blues), Ashley Sweet (Ebbw Vale), Nick MacLeod (Sale), Sam Beard (Edinburgh), Patrick Howard (Northampton), Tavis Knoyle (Blues, in season)

Out: Hugh Gustafson (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Retired), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Jason Tovey (Edinburgh), Matthew Pewtner (Retired), Shaun Knight (Bath, in season), Luc Jones (Harlequins, in season)

Bradley Davies' father, Bleddyn Davies, played for Pontypridd

Ospreys

In: Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Hugh Gustafson (Dragons), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Kieron Fonatia (Crusaders) Rob McCusker (London Irish)

Out: Matthew Dwyer (Merthyr), Marc Thomas (Jersey Reds), Aaron Jarvis (Clermont Auvergne), Jordan Colllier (Neath), Ifereimi Boladau (London Scottish), Rynier Bernado (Scarlets), Rhodri Hughes (Released), Lloyd Evans (Released), Gareth Delve (Released), Aled Jenkins (Released), Kristian Phillips (London Welsh), Richard Fussell (Backs Skills Coach)

Aaron Jarvis has joined Clermont after five seasons with Ospreys