Nathan Thomas returns to Wales after a season under Davies' guidance at Headingley, while James Bater switches from the Ospreys to Stradey Park.

"These are two very important singings for the club and I am delighted to have secured both players," said Davies. "Nathan is one of the most experienced and respected players in Europe and one of only eight Welshmen to have played in a Heineken Cup winning team.

"Having worked with him at Leeds I know all about his qualities and he will bring a hard, competitive edge with him. As for James, he is one of the brightest young back row talents in Wales.

"He has displayed good leadership qualities at his former clubs and surely deserves more than the one Welsh cap he has under his belt to date."

Thomas and Bater will join a pool of back row talent at Stradey Park that already includes Irish international Simon Easterby, Wales No 8 Alix Popham and rejuvenated Welsh openside Gavin Thomas.

Thomas won the last of his nine Welsh caps against South Africa in 1998 and will arrive in west Wales having played 111 English Premiership games for Bath and Leeds Tykes.

He had six seasons at Bath, helping them to win the Heineken Cup in 1998, before spending two seasons at Cardiff Arms Park, where he played 38 Celtic League and Cup matches.

He has eight seasons of Heineken Cup rugby under his belt and has played 42 matches in Europe, including one season in the Challenge Cup with Bath.

Bater has made 60 appearances for Swansea and the Ospreys in the Celtic League and Cup and has played 19 times in the Heineken Cup.