Ospreys agree St Helen's lease as Bridgend host 2025-26 games
Temporary home
Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley says the decision to move games to Bridgend for one season is because of a change in St Helen's redevelopment plans and a new permanent stand rather than Welsh rugby uncertainty.He stresses fans should be reassured St Helen's remains the region's new permanent home and that they will start the 2026-27 season in Swansea."We have agreed to finalise the lease at St Helen's, which means we can move there in September," said Bradley."We plan to be there for the foreseeable future. Our plan is to still start the redevelopment in September and people will be able to see work is going on."We wouldn't start that work if we weren't confident we were going to be playing there."Bradley outlined why the original plan had altered."We've looked at the [St Helens] redevelopment and plans have changed as we've been doing them, principally around the permanent south stand," said Bradley."When we looked at the timing of how long that would take, it's six to eight months."We had a choice of being in for December with a partly finished ground or leaving it for the beginning of the following season. We have opted to do that second option."You get one chance to make a first impression. Our first impression will now be two stands, a terrace with a roof and permanent south stand with fantastic facilities."Bradley explained why they were relocating home games to Bridgend for the season rather than playing matches in Swansea."We looked at staying at the Swansea.com Stadium but unfortunately about half of our fixtures clash with Swansea City," said Bradley."Even if we had wanted to do that, it would have meant playing half our games there and half somewhere else."We have taken the decision it's better to have certainty of playing them in one place and Bridgend have been fantastically accommodating."
Hoping for backing of Ospreys fans
Bradley hopes Ospreys supporters back the decision for one season in Bridgend with season tickets now available."I hope there won't be a backlash and fans understand what we are trying to do is create a fantastic experience for them when they come to St Helen's," said Bradley."It's going to be two thirds of a season later than we had hoped, but hopefully it will make up for that by being so good when they arrive."Before that, we hope fans get behind us and support us at the Brewery Field."Bridgend have previously hosted individual Ospreys matches rather than a full campaign and facilities will need to be upgraded with more seating and disabled provisions improved."There's a big difference between one-off games and planning to be there for the whole season," said Bradley."We've had conversations with the Bridgend management and what we want to do is leave a legacy. "Rather than just pay rent, we'd like to help improve the facilities for rugby in Bridgend for the foreseeable future."
Swansea support
Plans to redevelop St Helen's were officially approved earlier this month when Swansea council's planning committee voted unanimously in favour.Phase one includes a new 3G pitch, fan zone and stands to accommodate up to 8,000 spectators, while phase two will add a training facility and gym.Bradley says Swansea Council have backed the decision to delay their first game at St Helen's and are aware Welsh rugby's situation, with about £4m needed to redevelop the ground."They have been amazing and their support has made this possible," said Bradley."The council have made it clear we are talking about public money and there are safeguards you have to have in place."We agree and have had those conversations with them but the conversations we have been focusing on is the St Helen's redevelopment and bright future we hope we have got here. "It's an incredible place and every time you come here you can feel the history of the place. We feel humbled to be taking a leading role in the next part."
'Confident of Ospreys future'
Ospreys and Scarlets have both announced ambitious plans at a time when there are major questions over their future existence. Ospreys' proposals for their new ground was followed by Scarlets revealing new investors. The WRU will provide their "optimal solution" in the next week which will be followed by a six-week consultation before a final decision which is expected in October."We will be working with them [WRU] to try and work out what the best way forward for Welsh rugby is," said Bradley."That's the big priority and our priority is what is best for Ospreys."Ospreys and Scarlets could be battling to be the west Wales side in the new order with Bradley remaining upbeat about the future. "We are the most successful region and our investment in St Helen's is a statement of genuine intent," said Bradley."It's one of the things that is always the case, people running clubs always know a little bit more about what is going on."I'm not implying I know what the answer is going to be, but I do feel confident about our future."Having professional rugby continuing in Swansea is our plan."Scarlets fans and local politicians objected to Swansea council passing the St Helen's plans despite the matter being in a different local authority. When asked whether it was a fight for survival between Ospreys and Scarlets, Bradley responded: "We try to control the controllables."My job is to make the Ospreys as good as I can and put us in the best possible position for a long-term future at St Helen's in Swansea."WRU chief executive Abi Tierney suggested if an Ospreys and Scarlets merger could not be agreed, the decision could be put out to tender."There are two key things for us, and we have to bear in mind the eye on the prize is making Welsh rugby better," said Bradley."How you achieve that with a team in the west of Wales, if that's what it ends up being, is slightly secondary to doing what is best for national and club teams."The means by which it happens isn't as important as the end result. As long as it's us, of course!"
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Wales Online
12 minutes ago
- Wales Online
The forgotten Wales and Lions star ready to spark back into life with new challenge
The forgotten Wales and Lions star ready to spark back into life with new challenge The Wales prop will be a key figure for the Dragons this season Wyn Jones (C) is at the Dragons this season (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency) The 2024/25 season was one to forget for the Dragons, but there are credible reasons to believe the Welsh club will be significantly more competitive this time around. There were a significant number of areas in need of fixing but none more important than the front five. Head coach Filo Tiatia and his support staff took great care to identify the right players not only to improve the club's on-field performance but to strengthen the culture. One of these players is former Wales prop Wyn Jones, who will be crucial to the club's chances of competing this season. The former Scarlets star returns to Welsh rugby after a season at English giants Harlequins. Jones will combine playing rugby with working at his farm back home in Llandovery while he and his wife have recently welcomed their first son, Lewis Wyn, into the world. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "As you get older and you know your transition out of the game is getting closer," Jones tells WalesOnline. "For me it was about coming home. Article continues below "We've just had our first baby, so it was nice to be able to live at home and play rugby while having family and home comforts around us. "That was best for me and the family. I help out a lot with my parents and keep an eye on the farm back home. "With the little one being born it's nice to be closer to the family. "When you are younger you never think about life after retirement, but when you cross 30 you think okay I'm probably getting closer to the end. "You have a different outlook once you get over the 30 mark and you have to look at the future as well." Back on Jones' farm in Llandovery his family has around 400 acres of land which comprises 100 cattle. "I'll probably go back to the farm and take that over," Jones tells WalesOnline when asked what he'll do when he eventually retires. "I'll be trying to keep my hand in there while still playing rugby. "Rugby still comes first as it always does but when I was in London it was more difficult to keep my eyes on things and keep my hand in more than it is now. "I literally do anything on the farm. "If I'm tired and need a day off it will be lighter duties if anything at all and some days when I'm tired after training if there's jobs that need doing I'll help out. "It could be anything from cattle work to sheep work to tractor work. There's a range of different things all depending on the time of year really. I think it gives me a good balance. "If you have a bad day in training you can go out and do something on the farm and completely switch off. On days off it helps me switch off from rugby. "That's probably been the key for me having something else to focus on when you've had a good day in rugby or won a grand slam, there's always something that's gone wrong on the farm to bring you back down to earth - or vice versa. "It kind of brings you back down to earth. Rugby will come first whatever happens and that's always been the case or it never would have worked." But as Jones says rugby comes first and he will undoubtedly play a key role for the Dragons this season. The 48-cap Wales international who toured with the British & Irish Lions to South Africa in 2021 will bring a hard edge and scrummaging prowess to the Dragons front-row. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "I'll bring a bit of experience," Jones tells WalesOnline. "They've got a young squad here. "They've brought in the likes of myself, Dillon (Lewis), Thomas Young, Seb (Davies) and Levi (Douglas). "Last season they were winning games at 60 minutes and then it slipped away from them. "It's just adding that little bit of experience and trying to get those games over the line to get more wins under our belt. "A lot of recruitment has been done in the front five and the pack especially." Tiatia's side recorded only two wins last season but they should expect a better return this time around after an aggressive recruitment drive. The likes of Jones, Young and Lewis, among others, will be tasked with improving the competitiveness of the Dragons pack, while they will also complement some of the club's bright young talent in the shape of Jordan Morris, Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Nick Thomas, among others. "A lot of recruitment has been done in the front five and the pack especially," he said. "I've been very impressed with the young boys coming through. "You've got Dylan and Jordan, two young looseheads who have been training really well. I've been really impressed with those two. "They've got plenty of questions to ask which is great and hopefully I can help them along as well. "I've also been impressed with Brodie, the hooker. "There's a lot of good young youngsters here but they need a few years to get some more game time under their belts and some more time in the environment. "It's looking very positive and I truly believe we can be competitive this year." Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Times are tough in Welsh rugby at the moment with the Welsh Rugby Union working behind the scenes to put a new structure in place for the professional game. A reduction of professional clubs is a possibility but Jones insists what goes on in the boardroom will not affect the team's performance this season. "It was refreshing going to England and not having to go to crisis meetings!," joked Jones. "It's above our pay grade. We turn up and do our professional job as best as we can. "We just leave people above us to sort it out. It's probably been going on for too long I'll be honest and it needs to get sorted out sooner rather than later. "It's above my pay grade so I'll just leave them to it. There has been a lot of change at the Dragons this year. "I've been very impressed with the training facilities, the staff and everything around the place having been at the Scarlets for years and knowing where the other regions train. "This is by far the best training facility and everything is here. We can't use that as an excuse. It's very positive here. "I think the coaches are really good and I really think we can take strides forward." Article continues below Jones played a straight bat when asked about the prospect of a Wales recall, but if he can help turn the Dragons pack around a phone call from Steve Tandy is not out of the question.
BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
Huge losses, player exodus and fans' 'optimism drained' - inside Salford's crisis
It is almost six years since Salford Red Devils, under the tutelage of Ian Watson, reached the Super League Grand trip to Old Trafford could have been a fairytale for the ages - but they were beaten by a St Helens side that began to surf the crest of one of the most dominant waves Super League has ever seen, winning four successive side had been written off as relegation candidates going into the 2019 campaign and looked a million miles away from play-off spot his side dared to dream and, having surprised their critics as well as nurturing that season's Man of Steel Jackson Hastings into one of the league's top performers, things looked pretty good for least because 12 months later, during a Covid-interrupted season, the club reached the Challenge Cup final but ultimately lost to Leeds Rhinos at an empty forward to 2024 and having navigated their way through Covid, current boss Paul Rowley guided the club to an impressive fourth-placed finish in Super League and a play-off you knew nothing else about Salford other than these three respective moments over a five-year period, then you would be forgiven for thinking that this was a club on an upward the wheels have well and truly fallen off in what has happened to a club whose history goes back 152 years, and why is their situation so bleak? A season of financial uncertainty and big defeats Just over a month after the end of the 2024 campaign, the true pressures of Salford's financial situation began to club called a meeting of all Super League clubs in November to request an advance payment of money they were set to receive during this season to cover holes in their gaps were caused, the club said, by uncertainty over the ownership of their Salford Community Stadium home, and a few days later they were granted advanced funds. Their plight continued into the new year and overshadowed their preparations for the 2025 season, with the Rugby Football League (RFL) ordering them to sell players shortly before a takeover by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta was agreed on the eve of the campaign got off to the worst possible start as they fielded mostly reserve players in a record-breaking 15-try 82-0 defeat at St Helens, with the RFL later putting their team selection under investigation.A sustainability cap imposed by the RFL at the beginning of the season because of financial uncertainty at the club was lifted but then applied again in March as monetary issues continued to bite despite the takeover going have continued to get worse as senior players have gradually left the club, resulting in a patchwork team filled with loanees suffering a demoralising 80-6 loss to Hull FC on a statement issued late on Monday evening, the Red Devils' owners said the club would not close and that bridge funding would be "available and settled" by the end of August, adding that they remained "fully committed" to supporting the club Sport has contacted Salford Red Devils for comment. Salford's lengthy list of exits Of the 17-man squad that were selected for Salford's Super League play-off defeat by Leigh Leopards at the end of last season, just five half-back Marc Sneyd's move to Warrington Wolves was the first in a lengthy list of departures which began in Brad Singleton was next, joining fellow strugglers Castleford Tigers, while Tim Lafai and Kallum Watkins Bullock left on a loan move to Barrow Raiders, half-back Chris Atkin joined Singleton at Castleford, while Nene Macdonald, who was at the core of Salford's impressive 2024 side, left to take unpaid leave in Stone moved to Warrington on loan shortly after being accused of "downing tools" by Rowley, who said he was unaware of rumours the players would eventually go on exodus continued last week as Chris Hankinson signed for Leeds, Chris Hill joined Bradford Bulls, while Jack Ormondroyd and hometown hero Ryan Brierley left for the end, five debutants turned out for Salford against Hull FC, with squad numbers going up to 63, and some players only meeting their team-mates on the coach journey to the stadium."It's felt like a line in the sand moment," Rowley told BBC Sport shortly before kick-off."Losing Ryan and Jack in particular, they were the last two of the originals so to speak."It's now officially not my team. It's been mental to be honest. I met some players on the bus, that's how it's been." Brierley's loss was a major blow but his decision, he said, was motivated by the worsening situation Salford are in."I never wanted to leave, that wasn't my intention," Brierley told BBC Radio Manchester. "I was pretty adamant I would finish my career there. "I didn't want to be part of the demise. I never wanted to be at fault for it. I know it never would have been that way, but my gut instinct made me think that Salford would be the beneficiary of me going to Oldham."I've not felt like it's been the Salford I fell in love with. It's been ripped out in one way or another with the team and morale."Brierley said the tipping point for him was their 74-12 defeat by Hull KR in July."I just feel so sorry for the people still there - and Paul Rowley in particular - who, more than anyone, doesn't deserve this," he added."But for me and couple of others, we took it to the final depths of how much we could hold on for and, ultimately, the deterioration took a turn for me [against Hull KR]."I'm glad I could help the club in the short term fix the issues that arose to get the [Hull FC] game to go ahead." 'My optimism is now drained' - what the fans think The fact that Salford have even been able to compete so far into the season is in no small part down to their reserve squad, with several young players stepping up to first-team action through necessity rather than that reliance on youth has only increased with the sustainability cap continuing to affect team selection, in addition to players departing."Six months ago I was so optimistic," Shirley Bradshaw, chair of the supporters' trust, told BBC Radio Manchester."My optimism has been drained now to the point where I've never felt so depressed going to a game."These lads that are playing for us and giving us their all, we know what's expected of all of them and we know there's no way they're going to be able to go up against all these seasoned Super League players, as people can see by the scores that have been turning out. "We can't do anything more but applaud these lads for what they're doing, even though they shouldn't be there for this."Little is known about the club's new owners and they have not spoken to the media since their arrival earlier this things stand, it is unclear whether Salford will be able to return to Super League in 2026 and how their current situation will impact on their IMG grading for next June, a winding-up petition filed against the club was adjourned until September amid reports that £500,000 was owed to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Salford's situation comes at the same time as football clubs Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday go through stark financial problems of their own under the shadow of the Football Governance Bill being passed into has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle - a rugby league fan - about the club's plight."We had a fabulous team and week-by-week we've lost all these players, which is the nucleus of the first team," Bradshaw said."These kids are coming in and they're doing a fantastic job... they're putting their bodies on the line for the club."And I don't think they're getting any respect from these owners and it needs to change."Meanwhile, a supporters' group - The 1873 - has called out the club's owners, external, and is planning a "peaceful protest march" to the ground before Salford's fixture with Wakefield Trinity on 17 August. 'The owners are working hard' - Inu Assistant coach and former player Krisnan Inu said that criticism of the club - including the roles of consortium members Saia Kailahi and Curtiz Brown - from fans and the media has had a negative his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Inu said that had the consortium not come in, the club "would have fallen apart a long time ago"."Obviously, there's a lot of frustration and people are in different positions, but at the same time when the media keep throwing punches at our club, it hurts everyone and not just the players," Inu told BBC Radio Manchester."They're two humans as well. Everyone keeps naming them and tries to put their heads on sticks. I see them working hard but, honestly, the fans don't see it."What I see that they're trying to do for the club is massive, and patience might be the word, but at the same time there is a lot of frustration and when people start talking about people getting paid late, we're all part of that and I'm no different."Asked about Sunday's fan protest, Inu added that there could be positive news between now and kick-off."As a staff member and assistant coach I feel for them. But at the same time there are some answers that need to be presented to them which I think will be happening before Sunday, so I can't say if the protest is right or wrong." Rowley 'crumbling like everyone else' Salford were planning for the long-term future before this season began, having tied down Rowley to a director of rugby role from 2026 with the intention of appointing Kurt Haggerty as head the current head coach is more concerned about the impact the club's difficulties are having on non-playing Sport learned that last Sunday's fixture against Hull FC had been in doubt as the club owed money for coach travel and to a launderette which had washed their to the game, Rowley said that he was under the impression that the RFL had paid both bills in order to get the game on."I know everyone wants to drag us through until the end of the year, and they'll bend and break every rule to allow us to do that, but it's what happens after that. That's what's my concern [is] for all the staff," he told BBC Sport."They know that they will be the forgotten people and that concerns me."It's a persona when I'm at work and I'm in front of people - I've got to have a positive attitude and a body language that says that we want to win. "I coach to win, whatever it looks like and whoever I'm coaching. I'm crumbling like everybody else."As for the owners, Rowley said that he does speak to them but he is unclear on what the future holds."I have an amount of dialogue with them and they remain positive and on task," he added. "That gives me some hope."I don't think they would ever be able to have true empathy about what we're truly going through as a sporting organisation. They're business people and we're sportsmen."
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Students urged to ‘take stock' before accepting degree places on lower grades
Students should 'take stock' and think carefully before accepting a degree place on lower entry grades, a university sector chief has said. Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level results on Thursday, with many finding out whether they have secured a place at their first choice university. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), said some universities in the country are 'really keen' this year to recruit 'as many students as they can' due to pressures facing the sector. University leaders have been warning of financial pressures due to uncertainty about the recruitment of overseas students as well as years of frozen tuition fees by domestic students. Speaking ahead of A-level results day on Thursday, Ms Stern told the PA news agency: 'We have seen some evidence of universities dropping grades in order to fill places.' She said: '(Students) should take stock of whether what they're being offered is right for them.' It has been suggested that some universities are offering incentives and relaxing offers to fill places. Ms Stern told PA: 'It's a bit of a buyer's market this admissions round.' She said: 'It's been a very competitive admissions cycle from the institutional perspective. 'We know that some universities are offering places to students with lower grades than they might have done in the past. 'From a student point of view that might be really good news. 'Although I would just say think very carefully about what's right for you.' On the day before A-level results day, a PA sample of 129 of the UK's largest higher education providers showed there were 22,518 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England on the Ucas clearing site – which matches applicants to university places yet to be filled. A similar analysis last year – carried out by PA on the day before A-level results day and looking at the same range of institutions – showed there were 22,774 courses with vacancies on the clearing site. Eighteen of the 24 Russell Group universities, which represent some of the most selective UK institutions, had vacancies on courses for English residents – a total of 3,492 courses between them. A similar analysis last year, the day before A-level results day, showed 17 of the 24 Russell Group universities had vacancies on courses for English residents – a total of 3,500 courses between them. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. Students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use clearing. Ms Stern advised students waiting for their grades to spend some time familiarising themselves with the Ucas system and to look at the clearing site. She said: 'There are plenty of options available and whatever's happened it's almost certainly not a disaster and it won't be the end of everything. 'So take a big deep breath and don't panic.' Last week, Jo Saxton, head of Ucas, suggested a record number of 18-year-olds are expected to wake up on A-level results day to the news that they have been successful in securing their first-choice university. Ucas figures released last month revealed that the number of offers made to prospective undergraduate students from universities and colleges has reached a record high this year. Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, told PA: 'Some universities are now in survival mode — offering incentives, ramping up marketing, and relaxing offers to fill places. 'We must make every effort to ensure that students from all backgrounds are also well prepared and supported to succeed in their degrees.' Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, said: 'It is a good year for applicants in the sense that demand is pretty flat so universities are having to fight over themselves to win new students. 'Universities do not want to have to close courses and make staff redundant but they will need to if they cannot fill their places.' Mike Nicholson, director of recruitment, admissions and participation at the University of Cambridge, said there had been a drift for students applying more to the well-known and 'more reputable universities' in recent years. The expert said that he was expecting more students to be looking in clearing for opportunities to do internships or placements as part of their degree. Mr Nicholson told PA: 'I think what we're probably seeing is students looking carefully at what the degree outcomes might be. 'We've seen a shift towards engineering degrees, mathematics degrees, associated degrees in medicine. 'They're all up significantly this year in applications.' Joanna Burton, head of policy (higher education) at the Russell Group, said: 'There is always some flexibility in offer-making decisions, and students may find they are accepted with grades slightly different to the advertised offer. 'However, our universities only admit students who show evidence they can meet the rigour of the course.' She said: 'While there appears to be some flattening out of the application rate among 18-year-olds, our universities are still seeing strong demand for courses that offer high-quality teaching and promising career prospects – and they're working hard to meet this demand.'
