While the British and Irish Lions have dominated the rugby headlines, the Welsh regions have returned to pre-season training, quietly going about their business ahead of the new campaign.

A couple of familiar headline grabbers in James Hook and Gavin Henson have returned across the Severn, but with belts being tightened at all four of the professional sides, their PRO12 rivals appear to have stolen a march in terms of recruitment.

Leinster have brought in Wallaby back-rower Scott Fardy as well as exciting Maori speedster James Lowe; Edinburgh have lured former Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean up north from Bath; Glasgow have snapped up Scotland centre Huw Jones as well as a couple of Super Rugby talents in Callum Gibbins (Hurricanes) and Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), while Marty Banks, who kicked the match-winning penalty for the Highlanders against the Lions, is heading to Treviso.

All those could be eclipsed if Leigh Halfpenny decided on a much-anticipated return to Wales , with his time in the south of France at Toulon almost certainly at an end.

But for the moment, here are the comings and goings just a couple of months out from the 2017-18 season.

SCARLETS

Ins: Tom Prydie (Dragons), Rhys Jones (Dragons), Tom Grabham (Ospreys), Morgan Williams (Wales 7s), Paul Asquith (Greater Sydney Rams).

Outs: Liam Williams (Saracens), DTH van der Merwe (Newcastle), Gareth Owen (Leicester Tigers), Morgan Allen (Bedwas), Aled Thomas (Carmarthen Quins), Richard Smith (Neath), Peter Edwards (Merthyr), Rynier Bernardo (released), Matthew Owen (Carmarthen Quins).

The big question for the PRO12 champions is how will they will fill the considerable boots of departing British Lion Liam Williams.

The full-back, a cult hero down west, will be heading off to north London and European kings Saracens when he returns from New Zealand, leaving a significant void in the back three, a situation compounded by the departure of Canadian try poacher DTH van der Merwe to Newcastle.

Tom Prydie has been brought on board from the Dragons along with Rhys Jones for a second stint in Llanelli.

Tom Grabham, who has made the short hop across the Loughor, will also offer options out wide, as will highly-rated Wales 7s speedster Morgan Williams.

Scarlets fans won’t have seen much of Australian sevens player Paul Asquith, who can play at fly-half, centre and full-back and has been brought in as a replacement for Leicester-bound Gareth Owen.

They will hope Wayne Pivac has returned from his break in New Zealand with a signature or two, but it looks like the Kiwi is keeping faith with the pack that defied the critics last season. Second row Tadhg Beirne, arguably Welsh rugby’s signing of 2016-17 has had his contract extended.

OSPREYS

Ins: James Hook (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues).

Outs: Sam Underhill (Bath), Tyler Ardron (Chiefs), Josh Matavesi (Newcastle), Jonathan Spratt (retired), Joe Bearman (Merthyr), Tom Grabham (Scarlets), Dan Suter (released).

The prodigal son has returned to the Liberty and there is plenty of anticipation surrounding James Hook’s homecoming.

Hook has ended his stay in the West Country with Gloucester and although he is now 32, he remains one of the most gifted playmakers of his generation.

It appears likely that Hook will slot into the Ospreys midfield, with Dan Biggar and Sam Davies scrapping it out for the No. 10 jersey and Dan Evans an ever-present in the back three.

Cory Allen enjoyed an international rehabilitation on tour with Wales this summer and will arrive with plenty of confidence, while veteran Springbok prop Brian Mujati has extended his stay after being brought in on a short-term deal for the final few months of 2016-17.

The loss of new England cap Sam Underhill to Bath is a blow, but hardly unexpected, and the Ospreys can console themselves with the sight of Wales international flanker Dan Lydiate a fair way down the comeback trail following his serious knee injury.

Canadian forward Tyler Ardron is on his way to sample life down south with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, while Fijian international Josh Matavesi has taken flight to the north east to join Newcastle Falcons after two years in Swansea.

Elsewhere, the evergreen Joe Bearman has linked up with Principality Premiership champions Merthyr.

CARDIFF BLUES

Ins: Jack Roberts (Leicester Tigers), Franco van der Merwe (Ulster), Damian Welch (Exeter)

Outs: Cory Allen (Ospreys), Jarrad Hoeata (North Harbour), Cam Dolan, Marc Thomas, Pele Cowley (released), James Sheekey (Cardiff), Liam Belcher (Pontypridd).

Cardiff Blues managed to see off plenty of competition from across the Bridge to snap up North Walian centre Jack Roberts from Leicester Tigers.

The 25-year-old will add power and pace to an impressive midfield pool that already includes Ray Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo and Steve Shingler, although Cory Allen has decided to try and reignite his domestic career with the Ospreys.

Once-capped Springbok lock Franco van der Merwe, who spent three seasons with Ulster, will add plenty of experience to the front five, as will Damian Welch, who returns to the Arms Park following a successful five-year stint with Exeter Chiefs.

All Black Jarrad Hoeata has said his farewells and returned to New Zealand to play with provincial side North Harbour, while US Eagles back-rower Cam Dolan, Samoan scrum-half Pele Cowley and former Ospreys prop Marc Thomas are others who have headed through the Arms Park exit door.

DRAGONS

Ins: Gavin Henson (Bristol), Zane Kirchner (Leinster).

Outs: Nick Crosswell (released), Tom Prydie (Scarlets), Geraint Rhys Jones (Scarlets), Darran Harris (released), Craig Mitchell (released).

There’s no doubt about the marquee signing at Rodney Parade.

Gavin Henson, British Lion, double Grand Slam winner and one-time television celebrity is back in Welsh rugby at the age of 35.

It will be Henson’s third regional spell during a colourful career that has taken in stays at the Ospreys, Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff Blues, London Welsh, Bath and latterly Bristol.

The powerful Zane Kirchner, with 31 Springbok caps to his name, is another acquisition with proven Test calibre, while it wouldn’t be a surprise to see newly-installed coach Bernard Jackman bringing in a couple more fresh faces before the season kicks off, with the aid of his new employers the Welsh Rugby Union.

Tom Prydie and Geraint Rhys Jones have headed west down the M4 to Parc y Scarlets, while Kiwi second row Nick Crosswell and international prop Craig Mitchell have been released along with hooker Darran Harris.