Ospreys announce player departure list as Wales legend's career officially over
Ospreys announce player departure list as Wales legend's career officially over
Justin Tipuric's playing career is over, but there are still plans to give him a fitting farewell
Tipuric will become the Ospreys' defence coach from next season
(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency )
The Ospreys have confirmed the four players who will leave at the end of this season, with Justin Tipuric's playing career officially at an end as he prepares to take up coaching.
The openside - who has enjoyed a remarkable career for club and country - missed the Ospreys' final matches of the season after picking up an injury against Lyon in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, denying him a fitting goodbye.
However, in a statement confirming this season's departures, the club confirmed their plans to honour his retirement as he takes up the role of defence coach.
As well as Tipuric, the Ospreys confirmed that Tristan Davies, Adam Beard and Owen Williams would be leaving.
Wales lock Beard, who has been rested for this summer's tour of Japan, is moving to France - with Montpellier understood to be the likely destination.
Between them, Tipuric and Beard have played 370 times for the Ospreys.
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Only Alun Wyn Jones and Paul James having managed more than Tipuric's 229 appearances.
Tipuric made his Ospreys debut in 2009, with Beard first turning out for the club in 2014 as they both became mainstays.
Tipuric will now take up a place on Mark Jones' coaching ticket for next season.
The plan had originally been for former Wales wing Jones to replace Toby Booth as head coach ahead of next season, with Tipuric then taking on the role of defence coach once hanging up his boots.
However, Booth's early exit in December meant Jones was promoted early, but the mid Walian was keen on Tipuric enjoying his final season of playing.
The other leavers from the Ospreys are fly-half Williams and back-row Davies.
Wales international Williams, who earned a Wales recall in 2023 on the back of joining the Ospreys, is set to move to Nice next season.
No destination for flanker Davies, who played seven times for the Ospreys this season, has been confirmed.
"Everyone at the club would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players for their time at the Ospreys and wish them the best in their future endeavours," said the Ospreys in a statement.
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"The club also wishes to assure our supporters that Justin will receive a fitting farewell at an appropriate time, as he concludes his remarkable rugby career and transitions to his role as a first team coach at the Ospreys."
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