By Lestyn
April 5 2004

Not content with appearing on the wing, Dafydd James will head for pastures new to get back to playing in his preferred centre role. After coming back from a shoulder injury that ruled him out for most of last season, James has only really been a shadow of his past form. Despite that, Warriors benefactor Leighton Samuel still offered 41 times capped James a new contract.

Citing his desire to play at centre James turned down what Samuel described as a “lucrative offer”.

"Dafydd James has told us he won't be signing for us," said Samuel. "We offered him a very lucrative contract and I have probably been over-generous in Dafydd's case.

"But he wants to play centre and sees himself as a centre; but Lyn and Allan don't.

"He has won all his caps on the wing for Wales and the Lions, but sees himself as a centre.

"But we have enough depth and real quality in that position, so he is going."

Speculation would suggest James will remain in Wales to try and re-build an international career that is well and truly on the rocks. Both the Dragons and Ospreys look ideal locations for the 29 year old, with both being considerably limited in the outside centre department.

However with a salary rumoured to be in six figures, whether either would willing to splash out on such an injury prone player. With no salary cap, French clubs could be tempted to sign the former British Lion.

Whether ever James does go, as one of the best number thirteen's in Welsh domestic rugby in past seasons, it is vital he gets a solid season of games under his belt.

Hot on the heels of James, four more players have also been released. Promising backs Matthew Nuthall and Shaun James are free to leave, along with experienced utility forward Nick Kelly and development back rower Mark Lewis. Nuthall looked set to go to Gwent last summer, so I would expect him to end up at Rodney Parade, Kelly is also a strong bet to head East, re-joining Cardiff.

Arwel Thomas is hotly tipped to go in the opposite direction, depending on how negotiations go in the next few weeks.

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