Fussell becomes latest Osprey to sign new deal

Posted on Mar 25, 2013

The Ospreys have confirmed that Richard Fussell has become the eighth player to commit to the region in recent months.

28-year old Fussell has followed on from Tom Grabham, Tom Isaacs, Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb, Joe Bearman, Lloyd Peers and James King to re-sign for the Ospreys, putting pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at the Liberty Stadium until the end of the 2015/16 season.

“This is great news for the Ospreys”Andy Lloyd, Rugby Operations Manager, said.

“If I’m honest, I believe that Richard is someone who goes under the radar outside of our environment but he is a model of consistency for us and has been outstanding ever since he arrived at the Ospreys.

“This season in particular he’s been sensational, the way he’s coped with being the old head and the only constant in an ever changing, regularly patched up back three. He’s dealt magnificently with having to work with so many different combinations and his attitude in helping through so many youngsters has been admirable. It’s summed up perfectly what he brings to this squad.

“He’s a great professional who makes a huge contribution on and off the field, and has grown year on year. He has a massive impact on our game, he scores tries, and the likes of Eli and Hanno owe him so much for the tries he sets up for them.

“It gives us a real boost knowing that someone like Richard, who is totally committed to the cause, is going to be a part of what we are looking to build here over the next three seasons.”

Fussell signed for the Ospreys in the summer of 2010, arriving at the Liberty Stadium with a reputation as a try-scoring winger having touched down 23 times in 78 appearances for Newport Gwent Dragons. He scored a try on his Ospreys debut, a defeat to Ulster on the opening day of the 2010/11 season and finished the season as the region’s top try scorer with nine.

Since then he has successfully been converted to full back, growing ever more influential in the Ospreys shirt, and made his 77th appearance for the region in Friday night’s PRO12 clash against the Dragons at the Liberty.

Speaking after signing his new three-year deal, Fussell said:

“It’s huge for me, knowing that the Ospreys want to keep me here for the long term. It’s great to know that management see me as part of the future of the region.

“I really enjoy being part of the squad. There’s been a bit of a change for me over the last couple of seasons, I’ve played wing since I was a youngster playing age-grade rugby but moving to the Ospreys and then switching to full back has given me a new lease of life, a new direction. It’s opened my eyes a little bit and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity here.

“The first goal over the three years of the new contract is to keep that jersey. We want to push on as a team over the rest of the season, try and get into the play-offs and retain the PRO12 trophy, while on a personal level I want to keep pushing myself and continue improving.”

GRAND SLAMMERS TARGET JUDGEMENT DAY SUCCESS

Posted on Mar 25, 2013

When Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies and veteran Dragons lock Rob Sidoli clash at the Millennium Stadium next Saturday they will complete a circle of success which has brought FOUR Six Nations Championship titles to Wales in the last nine years.

The pair, who are set to feature in opposition in the opening match of the inaugural Rabo Direct Pro12 double-header at the Millennium Stadium, are at different stages of their rugby careers, but are inextricably linked by a unique piece of silverware.

The first title of the new Millennium, in 2005, saw then Blues second row Sidoli play every minute of the campaign which brought the international holy grail of a Grand Slam to Wales for the first time in 27 years.

Three Slams later, the latter of which gave Davies his first Six Nations winners medal in 2012, and the Scarlets centre is an integral part of the squad which, last weekend, ensured Wales retained their European title in back to back seasons for the first time in 34 yrs.

If it all started with Sidoli and company eight seasons ago, the class of 2013 have more than taken on the mantle and arguably eclipsed the much heralded achievements of Wales’ sides of the 70s.

But both players remain hungry for even more silverware and they agree that success at international level only enhances their Regional ambitions.

Davies is set to make his 100th appearance for the Scarlets at the home of Welsh international rugby this weekend and feels he has unfinished business with the side he supported as a child.

“I’ve grown up supporting the Scarlets and the players there are the ones you train with week in week out, so to get a taste of success with them would be particularly sweet,” said the 36-times capped Whitland product.

“I’ve spoken to the Ospreys players when we’ve been in camp with Wales, they’ve won this league more times than anyone and they say that winning silverware with your Region is pretty special.

“Success with the Scarlets is definitely something that is important for me, we have a great squad and winning with Wales just makes you all the more determined to reproduce that with your Region.

“We are all determined to put that right with a good run at the business end of the season to get us into the those play-offs and that means putting a performance together against the Dragons on Saturday.

“It will be strange to come back to the Millennium Stadium so soon after the incredible highs of winning the Championship here, but this is a special place.

“The atmosphere is always amazing and if the fans are anything like they were for the England game we should all be in for a real treat.”

Sidoli has himself made 96 appearances for the Dragons, he played 42-times for Wales and, after the career highlight in 05 which a 17-year-old Davies watched from the Millennium Stadium stands, last featured at international level in the 62-5 loss to England at Twickenham in 2007.

At 33 he has the edge in experience on the 26-year-old Davies, he knows all about how success at international level can inspire a region and he is looking forward to taking to the Millennium Stadium pitch again for the double-header this weekend.

“The Millennium Stadium is a special place for both the players and the fans and it’s a great concept to have these two derby matches here on the same day, the atmosphere will be amazing,” said Sidoli.

“We’ve seen how well this Welsh side has done and enjoyed watching them.  It lifts everyone mentally to see Wales do well and the players who have returned to train with the Region have really boosted us and I think we have a role to play in energising them as well.

“It can be draining to achieve success like they have done, certainly in 2005 it was the first time anyone had experienced that kind of success for a long time so we were on the ceiling for a good while afterwards.

“This squad has managed to sustain their success now so the next step is to reflect that in the regional game.

“This will be a big weekend for all four sides, just as we have been a bit of a thorn in the side for the Ospreys in recent times the Scarlets have probably been that for us.

“We know we can be a dangerous side but we have been inconsistent.  The challenge for us is to be consistently dangerous and put some performances together to be proud of during the season run in.

“The Millennium Stadium is a great stage to play on and it should inspire some great rugby this weekend, with us all hopefully picking up where the national team has left off.”

Ospreys injuries update

Posted on Mar 21, 2013

With the Ospreys returning to RaboDirect PRO12 action in a Welsh derby against Newport Gwent Dragons at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night, Head Physio Chris Towers has issued the following update on some of the players who are unavailable for selection this weekend:

Ian Gough – Suffered a back spasm in training but is expected to be available for selection next weekend.

Joe Rees – Is being reintegrated back into the group as he continues his rehabilitation following neck surgery. He is building up his scrum work in training and is on course for potential selection in early April.

Ryan Jones – Further investigation has confirmed that a fracture to the shoulder blade is stable and it is just a case of waiting for it to heal. Providing there are no problems, he has a realistic chance of being back playing before the end of the season.

Eli Walker – Is suffering from a back injury picked up while away during the Six Nations period. A decision will be made on the best course of treatment for the problem over the next week or so following consultation with specialists.

Andrew Bishop – Is recovering well following surgery on a disc problem in his back. If he continues with his current rate of progress, the medical team are not ruling out the prospect of him returning before the end of the season.

Tom Smith – Remains sidelined with an ongoing chronic groin issue

Grabham wings in with a two-year deal with Ospreys

Posted on Mar 21, 2013

Ospreys Rugby have confirmed that young winger Tom Grabham has signed a new contract with the region.

21-year old Grabham is a product of the Ospreys’ development pathway, starting off in community rugby playing for local club Tondu before graduating through the system to represent Bridgend District and play age-grade rugby for the region.

He then gained his first senior experience with Bridgend Ravens, helping them win promotion to the Premiership in 2010/11 before featuring regularly for the club last season.

He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal that runs until the summer of 2015, and will continue to combine his fledgling rugby career with his university studies as he completes a BSC in Biochemistry.

“I’m really happy to sign for another two years” said Grabham after the new contract was signed.

“It’s my home region and it’s a good environment to be in as a developing player. This has been my first full season and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve played a few games, I’ve been fortunate enough to get the opportunity to be involved in some big matches and I want push on from here, between now and the end of the season and then next year.

“I’ve settled well into the group and I think I’ve done well when I’ve been given a chance on the wing. It’s been a good season for me so far, I’m really enjoying myself, now it’s important that I keep improving. I’ve got another two years and I want to make the most of it.”

Grabham made his senior regional debut last season in the LV= Cup game away to Exeter Chiefs, finishing the campaign with three substitute appearances to his credit.

This season has seen him feature regularly for the Ospreys, with 10 more appearances to his credit, his first start coming against Glasgow in the PRO12 in September and his Heineken Cup debut away to Treviso two months ago.

He has also gained international experience with Wales, captaining his country on the IRB Sevens World Series.

Rugby Operations Manager at the region, Andy Lloyd, said:

“Tom is an up and coming young player who has already made an impression when given the chance to play for the region on the wing.

“He’s a very intelligent young man who understands his roles and responsibilities and is very diligent in everything he does which will stand him in good stead if he is going to progress and establish himself fully as an Osprey. He works his socks off and ultimately is a very professional rugby player who is developing the right habits on and off the field.

“He’s got great feet, he’s powerful, and he understands what we want from him as a wing. This isn’t just about the here and now, this is good news for the future as we have secured the services of a real prospect from within the region for the next two years.”

This is the latest good news for the Ospreys in terms of players signing new deals with the region, as Grabham becomes the seventh player to commit recently after Tom Isaacs, Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb, Joe Bearman, Lloyd Peers and James King.

Wales will celebrate again on Judgement Day

Posted on Mar 21, 2013

The RBS 6 Nations trophy will return to the scene of its dramatic capture by Wales at the Regional double-header match to be held at the Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday.

Over 30,000 Welsh rugby fans have already bought tickets to the ‘Judgement Day’ fixture, which pits the Dragons against the Scarlets and the Blues against the Ospreys in an East versus West Rabo Direct Pro12 double derby day clash, which will now also become a celebration of the national cause.

Most of the Wales squad which retained the title they took in 2012 with a clean sweep, by recording the nation’s greatest ever victory over England last weekend, will be on display on the pitch in Regional team colours introducing some fascinating head to head clashes.

But the coaching team which played its own integral role in the 30-3 victory over England and the retention of the Championship title in 2013, will also attend as special guests and to see their latest acquisition of silverware paraded in front of the Welsh fans.

The Welsh Rugby Union is hoping to use the event to help fans show the national squad just what their recent successes have meant to them and also allow fans to relive the glorious scenes of Wales’ consummate demolition of England in the capital less than a week ago.

The Judgement Day event in itself represents the first time all four Welsh rugby Regions have come together to play under the same roof and is a chance to celebrate the regional game in Wales and its value to the national game.

“The trophy will be displayed proudly at pitchside and paraded around the ground at both matches,” said a WRU spokesman.

“It’s incredibly difficult to quantify what success on the rugby pitch means for the nation,but the scenes at the Millennium Stadium last weekend go some way to explaining just how passionate we all are about our national sport.

“Judgement Day, a week on Saturday, is a perfect and timely opportunity for us to celebrate again the success of the Wales national squad, to let them know how proud we all are of them and to watch some fascinating clashes as many of them go head to head in their Regional colours.”

Wales flankers Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) and Sam Warburton (Blues) provide the most direct match up of the day, but the likes of Dan Biggar, Adam Jones (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny (Blues),Andrew Coombs, Toby Faletau (Dragons), George North and Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) are also set to return to the Millennium Stadium turf to take on their national team-mates.

Judgement Day – Millennium Stadium, Saturday 30 March
Dragons v Scarlets 2.30pm
Blues v Ospreys 5.15pm
Tickets: Adults £25, U18s £10, Family ticket £50 (two adults, two children)

Isaacs commits to Ospreys for two more years

Posted on Mar 21, 2013

The Ospreys have confirmed that Tom Isaacs has become the latest player to sign a new deal with the region.

26-year old Isaacs has committed to the Ospreys beyond the end of this season, putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract which keeps him at the Liberty Stadium until the summer of 2015.

Isaacs, a Wales age-grade cap and Sevens World Cup winner, joined the Ospreys in the summer 2009, and after injuries hampered his first year with the region he has become an increasingly influential member of the playing squad.

He made his debut for the region against the Dragons at the Liberty Stadium in October 2010, with his first start coming four months later in February 2011 against London Wasps. He made his 50th appearance for the region last month in the PRO12 fixture against Connacht in Galway, and was out of contract at the end of the season.

“I’m delighted to sign up for another two years” said Isaacs.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far. I know that I’ve learnt a lot over the last four years and I feel I’m still learning every day when I come to work at Llandarcy. There’s a great set-up here with some fantastic coaches. I’ve got some great friends here, it’s a place where I’m really happy to be.

“I had a difficult first year due to injuries but I had great support and I was able to put that behind me. Over the last three seasons, and the last 24 months in particular, I’ve been able to play a part in what the team is doing and it keeps getting better for me.

“I’ve had a good run this season, and that’s something I’ve really enjoyed. Like I said, I’m still learning a hell of a lot, from the coaches and my team-mates, but if I keep working hard I can hopefully cement my place in the team over the next two years.”

Andy Lloyd, Rugby Operations Manager at the Ospreys, commented:

“Tom has done really well over the last 18 months, we’ve really seen him develop on and off the field. There’s no getting away from his versatility, but he has been able to establish himself more and more as a 13 with some solid performances.

“He’s capable of producing some really exciting moments, he can beat people and he’s physical, which is a good place to start from. He’s getting better and better, and we see Tom as a big part of our future.

“It’s great news that Tom has committed himself to the Ospreys, becoming the latest player to sign a new contract for next season and beyond. Although the financial climate remains challenging, the steps that we have taken as a business to put us on a more stable, sustainable footing, means that we can look ahead to the future positively, with decisions being made for rugby reasons.”

Isaacs follows on from Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb and Joe Bearman in signing new contracts recently, while young forwards Lloyd Peers and James King did so at the end of December.