With Wales' potential new tighthead Henry Thomas set to depart Montpellier at the end of the season the race is on to secure his signature.
The 31-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements by former France wing Philippe Saint-André, who is director of rugby at Montpellier, for choosing to represent Wales.
Under Welsh rugby's controversial 25-cap law, Thomas may well have to sign for a club in Wales if he is to wear the red jersey at the Rugby World Cup, although this may hinge on whether the extended training group counts as an official squad.
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Nevertheless the four Welsh regions will be closely monitoring the situation, although there is no guarantee any could afford him with all four strapped for cash at the moment.
WalesOnline take a close look at what region is most in need of a tighthead.
Cardiff
On paper this would be the perfect fit for Cardiff who desperately need to strengthen at tighthead after losing Wales star Dillon Lewis to Harlequins, while Moldovan strongman Dmitri Arhip is also leaving.
Thomas is a powerful scrummager who has held his own in both the Gallagher Premiership and the Top 14, while he is also a dynamic carrier around the park.
Signing a Welsh-qualified tighthead like Thomas would be perfect for the capital city club but there is one major barrier; money.
The policy of austerity which is hitting Welsh rugby at the moment is likely to be felt more acutely at Cardiff to begin with.
In short Cardiff have a significant number of players who were in the National Squad 38 including Josh Adams and Liam Williams where 80% of their salary came from an additional WRU payment to the club that is no longer available.
Next season they will have to take on the liabilities, meaning there is less money to pay everyone else, while during Covid they added an extra year onto players' contracts.
Also, with director of rugby Dai Young currently suspended, and no guarantee he will resume his position, who is in charge of recruitment next season?
They have been heavily linked with a move for Harlequins' Welsh-qualified tighthead Rhys Litterick who may be more affordable but if they could find the cash Thomas would be a fine addition.
Dragons RFC
Thomas would be a fine acquisition for the Dragons who have struggled in the set-piece this season.
Dai Flanagan's side already have Wales international Leon Brown, who has struggled badly with injury, Chris Coleman and the underrated Lloyd Fairbrother on the books.
But Thomas is a stronger scrummager and could help give them the platform they need to kick on next season.
After failing to retain Ross Moriarty, who has signed for French strugglers Brive, they have some money remaining in their playing budget to spend.
They have already used part of this on signing former Scarlets man Corey Baldwin to strengthen both their back-three and midfield stocks.
With Rob Evans being released Flanagan has said he would like to sign a loosehead, while a second-row may also be on his shopping list.
Still, Thomas would be a fine addition to the ranks at Rodney Parade, but as always it may depend on whether they can fit him into their playing budget, which is going to be tight.
Ospreys
The Ospreys have the strongest pack out of all the Welsh regions, and when it comes to recruitment their needs may be elsewhere.
At tighthead they currently have Wales' first choice number three Tomas Francis, while South African Tom Botha is one of the strongest scrummagers in the United Rugby Championship.
They also have the up and coming Rhys Henry on their books who has impressed whenever he has been called into action.
All things considered the Ospreys are very unlikely to make a move for Thomas given the strength they already have at tighthead, especially given the financial constraints at all four Welsh regions.
Scarlets
The front-five is an area the Scarlets need to strengthen but they are more in need of fresh blood in the back-five of the scrum rather than the front-row.
Dwayne Peel's side are likely to focus on trying to sign a lock and a back-rower rather than a tighthead, especially considering they have lost influential duo Aaron Shingler and Sione Kalamafoni.
If they weren't constrained to a £5.2million budget next season, tighthead could also be an option but they hope to have strong scrummager Samson Lee back fit next season after he made his long-awaited comeback from a serious Achilles injury for Llandovery against Newport last weekend.
They also have up-and-coming duo Sam Wainwright and Harri O'Connor on their books who are both highly rated down west.
In an ideal world they could probably do with strengthening in this area, especially given Lee's injury record, but it is unlikely to be a priority next season.
Gallagher Premiership
Thomas has spent the majority of his career playing in England so, in an ideal world, may favour a return to the Premiership.
His availability would certainly pique the interest of clubs the other side of the Severn Bridge given his set-piece prowess.
Exeter Chiefs are in need of a tighthead following Harry Williams' decision to move to France while Northampton Saints are also in the market.
Gloucester and London Irish could also do with strengthening their front-row stocks, but to play for Wales Thomas may have to join one of the four Welsh regions.
There is also the complication of the English salary cap which is at £5million plus a marquee player, while at this stage most clubs are full ahead of next season.
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