The Ospreys have suffered a dismal campaign this term sitting bottom of the Pro 14 behind serial strugglers Zebre and Dragons and already having been knocked out of the Champions Cup in the group stage. A catalogue of injuries have not helped them as they have only managed 2 victories, both in the league. One of these victories came last weekend, surprisingly against high flying Ulster and the morale in the Ospreys camp has been bolstered by three announcements this week on the future of the region.
It all started on Tuesday when the Swansea based region announced former Bath, London Irish and Harlequins coach Toby Booth as Head Coach for the 2020/21 season. Ospreys have been without a Head Coach since Allen Clarke departed in December. Former Wales boss Mike Ruddock has been involved in the recruitment process for a new coach from his role of Performance Director, whilst Clarkes assistants Matt Sherratt and Carl Hogg have been overseeing the rugby side of things at the region. Ruddock highlighted Booth’s “track record of developing a high-performance rugby plan” as one of the key factors in his appointment to the role. Booth has signed a 3-year deal with the region.
This was followed up on Wednesday when the Ospreys announced the capture of exciting fullback Mat Protheroe from Gallagher Premiership flyers Bristol Bears. The 23-year-old Swansea born speedster has made 33 appearances for Bristol, scoring 11 tries including the clubs 2018 try of the season against Cornish Pirates. He has represented England at u18 and u20 level, but Bristol coach Pat Lam admitted an important factor in his move back to his home city was his ‘aspirations to play international rugby’. Protheroe will face stiff competition with fan favourite Dan Evans for the Ospreys 15 shirt next season but fans will be relishing having the exciting young back adding to an attack that has lacked any sharpness at points this season.
Finally, yesterday the region shared the news that captain and talisman Justin Tipuric had signed a 3-year contract extension at the club. Tipuric who has 73 Wales caps would have been eligible to play for Wales should he have decided to move overseas as he is over the WRU’s 60 cap rule. Tipuric was subject to transfer rumours from Protheroe’s club Bristol Bears and French giants Toulon but the 30-year-old stated, “this is my home region, and this is where I want to stay”. The British and Irish Lion was praised by Ospreys managing director Ander Millward who labelled Tipuric an “Iconic Osprey” before going on to say, “any side in the world would love to have them on their team”.
Tipuric joins fellow Welsh internationals Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and Keelan Giles in committing his future to the Ospreys as well, as props Tom Botha and Rhodri Jones and ex Wales under 20 star Cai Evans. In other Ospreys related news, Rhys Webb, who has been released by Toulon following a dispute around his Wales selection and due to link back up with the region next season has signed a short-term deal at English giants Bath. Webb who seems to be behind Cardiff Blue Tomos Williams and Scarlet Gareth Davies in the pecking order for the Wales number 9 shirt may be available as early as Sunday’s west country derby against Bristol.
Haydn Evans 