THERE was finally some good news yesterday when Jon Davies bucked the trend and opted to put pen to paper with the Scarlets rather than join the exodus out of Wales.

The player drain has been a big headache since the turn of the year with countless high profile individuals confirming that they will be heading for pastures new.

The notion of competing with France is as nonsensical. It would be like Wigan Athletic getting involved in a bidding war with Manchester City.

But figurehead players like Davies, Adam Jones, Sam Warburton, George North and Toby Faletau must be kept in the country.

However, it’s value for money that the four regions need and it’s the loss of non-Team Wales players that will hit hardest.

Newport Gwent Dragons are loath to lose Luke Charteris yet it’s Aled Brew’s departure that will sting more due to his more frequent availability. The Scarlets are overjoyed that Davies has signed a new deal but the exit of lock Dom Day, who they can call upon throughout the season, will have a big impact.

English clubs get around £150,000 for each of their Elite Performance Squad players. Yet provide too many and it leaves them short come the autumn internationals and Six Nations.

It’s no surprise that many are questioning the policy of recruiting English talent rather than spending their money on seasoned southern hemisphere players that can be the bedrock of their Aviva Premiership campaign.

But if there is one good thing to come from the current Welsh player drain then it is that the four regions are taking a long overdue look at their finances.

There has been an awful lot of wastage over the years and there is plenty of fat that can be trimmed.

Squads have been allowed to balloon with far too many players on the books without ever really being needed for the first team.

If in the middle of the Six Nations – both senior and under-20s – a region can afford to loan out players then I would hazard a guess that they are carrying too many.

To have an individual in their mid to late twenties on the books who is merely an LV= Cup and Premiership player is money down the drain. The top flight of club rugby also needs to step up to the plate on that front – it must feed as well as farm.

But the streamlined squads and solid South Africans, Kiwis and Aussies must be supplemented with those with an x-factor.

It is the presence of Faletau and Dan Lydiate that attracts supporters to Rodney Parade; it is the return of Charteris that has provided a buzz for Saturday’s game against Munster.

“It’s easier to leave than to be left behind,” sang REM’s Michael Stipe. Warren Gatland will be fearing more of his big guns taking that easy option.