Ospreys look to continue success

Osprey’s winger Shane Williams is determined that the club must continue to push forward and pick up trophies.

The 31-year-old Welsh international believes Ospreys have the ability in the team to be a real force and believes they never reached their full potential last year, despite lifting the EDF Energy cup.

“The potential of the squad is amazing and our strength in depth is one of the best you’re going to see in European club rugby.”

“We feel we let ourselves down in the last couple of seasons, especially in the Heineken Cup.”

Bishop pens four year Ospreys deal

Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop has committed his future to the club by signing a new four year deal.

The 23-year-old welsh international becomes the 13th player to sign up for an extended stint with the club this year.

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley is delighted to have secured Bishop’s services adding, “I’m looking forward to seeing Andrew providing real competition for Gavin Henson and Sonny Parker.”

Foster steps in at Ospreys

Ian Foster, the current head coach at Waikato Chiefs has agreed to the unusual proposition of helping out Ospreys coaches in the run-up to the new season.

Foster will spend three weeks at the club, supporting stand-in coaches Jonathan Humphreys and Sean Holley, but is not being considered for the position of head coach.

Ospreys’ head of rugby Andrew Hore commented, “Ian is not in the frame for the Ospreys head coach, he is under contract with the NZRU. We are delighted to be able to invite a coach of Ian’s stature and experience to spend time with us over the next few weeks.”

Jones handed Osprey’s captaincy

Wales captain Ryan Jones has now also been given his club captaincy by Ospreys for the second year in a row.

The 27-year-old back-row is a popular figure at both club and international level with Ospreys, Wales and the British Lions.

Jones says he is delighted to once again receive the armband and feels he is deserving of the honour.

“Personally, I believe that my first year in the role went well, and the EDF Energy Cup win stands out as an obvious highlight.”

“I’m delighted to be invited to continue as Ospreys captain.”

Ospreys hooker to miss season opener

Richard Hibbard has undergone surgery on his right shoulder and will miss the start of the new season.

The 24-year-old Welsh hooker will definitely miss the first game of the campaign against Connacht and could be absent for further matches.

However, Osprey’s team physio Chris Towers is optimistic on his condition commenting, “We’ll assess his situation closely and will be in a better position to predict his return in a couple of weeks.”

He added, “The early signs are excellent and the shoulder is settling well.”

Ospreys ready to swoop for NZ scrum-half

Ospreys have stepped up their preparations for the new season by entering into formal negotiations to bring New Zealand A scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown to the club.

However, if Ospreys are to sign the 27-year-old he would need to be released a year early from his New Zealand Rugby Union contract.

Ospreys elite performance director, Andrew Hore is hopeful a deal can be struck and believes Nutbrown would be an excellent addition to the squad.

He commented, “Jamie is a highly rated scrum-half who has been on the verge of a call up to the All Blacks.”

Henson signs on until 2011

Gavin Henson has signed a new contract with Ospreys that will keep him at the club until 2011.

The Welsh centre is currently out of action with an ankle injury but that hasn’t stopped the club offering him fresh terms after an impressive few years with the club.

He commented, “I wouldn’t want to play rugby anywhere else. I’m an ambitious person and I want to win things and the Ospreys share my ambitions.”

Marshall opts for Montpellier

Justin Marshall has shocked Ospreys supporters by opting to leave the club and sign a one year deal with Montpellier.

The New Zealand man was expected to face fierce competition for a starting role at Ospreys, battling it out with Mike Phillips for the scrum-half position.

However, the 34 year old has decided for a change and has no regrets over the move. “In many ways I will be sorry to leave, however, I believe that the time is right to move on.”

Ospreys hot-seat too hot for many

The job as Ospreys head coach is not an enticing role according to Jonathan Davies, the former Wales captain.

The club have had trouble finding a replacement for Lyn Jones and will head into the new season with assistant coaches Sean Holley and Jonathan Humphreys leading the side.

But Davies believes the set-up at Ospreys makes the job a less than enticing prospect. He commented, “Most coaches would come into a new job and want to be the main man. But at the Ospreys he will be coming in under (Ospreys Elite Performance Director) Andrew Hore, it’s a difficult position to enter into.”

Henson out until September

Gavin Henson is likely to miss the start of the season after Ospreys revealed that the centre is likely to be out of action until the end of September.

The Welsh international underwent surgery on his ankle in April after suffering an injury against Saracens in the Heineken Cup.

Originally, Henson had been optimistic about his chances of making it back in time for the start of the new season, but now looks to have admitted defeat.

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