Latest news with #Ospreys'
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
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. Article continues below 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. Article continues below "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."
Powys County Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Dyfi Osprey project featured in BBC Countryfile episode
BBC's Countryfile paid a visit to the Dyfi Valley in its latest episode and featured a spotlight on two of its famous winged residents. Presenter John Craven visited the Dyfi Osprey Project to learn more about its work and its most successful breeding pair of birds. Ospreys Telyn and Idris, having returned to the Dyfi nest again earlier in 2025, are currently hatching their sixth clutch of eggs and were featured in a segment of the BBC programme. In the episode, which aired on Sunday (May 11), John noted that Ospreys in the UK were especially relevant to him as their reintroduction to the UK in 1972 was the very first story he covered in Newsround. In the programme he said: 'It's hard to imagine now, but just over a century ago these magnificent birds had become extinct in the UK. 'But by the early 1970s they were making something of a comeback because of birds that migrated to the Scottish Highlands from Scandinavia and I remember that really well because the return of the Ospreys was the very first story on the very first edition of Newsround. 'Since then, I've been fortunate enough to follow the story of the Ospreys' incredible revival.' He then visited the observation deck at the Dyfi Osprey Centre, and spoke about the camera constantly monitoring Telyn and Idris while they are at the nest, as well as the thousands of people who devotedly watch the live-streams following the birds journey each season. Centre manager Janine Pannett added: 'It's always a huge sense of excitement and relief to see them come home. 'Normally, Telyn comes first, this year Idris surprised us all and came home nine days early. It was very interesting to watch different behaviour having the male back first. He spent a lot of time rebuilding and reshaping the nest, getting everything ready so that when she did arrive everything looked ship-shape to show that he was ready to breed. 'Generally, people do have a soft spot for Ospreys. Perhaps because they are only fish eating, perhaps because of the romantic nature of the migratory chasing of an endless summer. 'It's so important to get the engagement of the wider world and everyone to feel value to having wildlife be a part of their life. It's so wonderful to share them with absolutely everyone.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Etzebeth blow as Sharks wreck Ospreys' play-off bid
United Rugby Championship Sharks (14) 29 Tries: Jenkins, Esterhuizen, Hooker, Buthelezi Cons: Masuku 2, Fassi Pen: Masuku Ospreys (3) 10 Try: Parry Con: Edwards Pen: Edwards Ospreys' play-off hopes in the United Rugby Championship (URC) are all but over following defeat by Sharks. The South African side scored two tries apiece in each half to claim a scrappy victory in Durban. Sam Parry stepped off the bench to grab his fifth try of the season in a gutsy but limited display by the visitors at Kings Park. Ospreys' season could be ended by other results this weekend before next week's climax at Lions. Sharks' bonus-point win secured home advantage in the quarter-finals but was tainted by a knee injury for Eben Etzebeth who left the pitch on the back of a medical buggy. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones made just one change to the team that thrashed Dragons for this must-win game but a star-studded Sharks were a distinctly different prospect. The hosts led 14-3 at half-time through their aerial dominance and sheer brute force - but Ospreys had their chances. Lock Jason Jenkins was hard to stop from close range, while centre Andre Esterhuizen proved similarly unstoppable from a few metres more. Ironically it was a dropped ball that dislodged a solid Ospreys defence as well as a wonderfully delayed pass by Jaden Hendrikse. The scrum-half would prove Sharks' match-winner. Ospreys had their moments between those tries but Kieran Hardy's sublime solo effort was ruled out for a fumble over the line, Dewi Lake was denied in the corner, while breaks by Morgan Morse and Dan Kasende went unfinished. Scrum-half Davies signs new Ospreys deal Ospreys' Tipuric targets potential play-off return Regions in jeopardy unless WRU deal is signed Adam Beard played his 100th league game while Jac Morgan made 50th regional appearance - a day after being named in the British and Irish Lions squad. The Wales captain was utterly impressive once again despite another loss - perhaps even more so because of it - keeping Sharks at bay almost single-handedly, leading the match for both turnovers and tackles. But Keelan Giles failed to gather Henrikse's speculative kick to hand wing Ethan Hooker an easy finish. Ospreys struggled to negotiate the Sharks' blitz defence until replacement hooker Parry finished a line-out drive. And as the game broke apart as Ospreys chased more points, Phepsi Buthelezi latched on to a catch and offload by Makazole Mapimpi to clinch a bonus-point success. Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse; Dian Bleuler, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Jason Jenkins, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi. Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Emmanuel Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe. Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Will Spencer, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse. Replacements: Sam Parry, Steffan Thomas, Ben Warren, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins. Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (WRU) Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira & Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) TMO: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Jac Morgan overcome by emotion as moment Lions news hit him emerges
Jac Morgan overcome by emotion as moment Lions news hit him emerges The Wales captain was on a plane when his name was read out in London Jac Morgan is named in the British and Irish Lions squad (Image: Getty Images ) When it comes to clapping when planes land, you're usually in one of two diametrically opposed groups. You either clap when the wheels hit the tarmac, or you silently judge those who do. Yet, as the Ospreys' internal flight from Johannesburg to Durban touched down, there was a round of spontaneous applause that few would have an issue with. For it wasn't the safe travel of the flight that was being celebrated, but the realisation of a rugby dream that had seemed almost certain, but one you could never take for granted. Jac Morgan, through his superlative performances for club and country, was widely seen as Wales' best chance of a British and Irish Lion call-up. Rightly so, as - even amongst the wreckage of a national team without a victory in 17 Tests - the back-row has been simply brilliant time and time again. Of course, when it comes to these matters, nothing is guaranteed. Morgan, a man of admittedly few words, would have known that better than most. There has been the odd setback already in his career, being released by the Scarlets at 17 and working as an apprentice mechanical engineer for two years. Being overlooked by Wayne Pivac in his first year of Test rugby was another blow. And, even like King Canute trying in vain to hold back the tide, the last 18 months of Test rugby with Wales will have been a challenge to say the least. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Article continues below And so, as the Ospreys' flight headed south to Durban, the nerves were likely ramping up. Things only escalated when the Ospreys' original plans - to watch the live squad announcement while on the bus from the airport to their hotel - were disrupted. "We were supposed to land in time for it, but there was a delay," admits Morgan. "The announcement happened while we were up in the air, but I found out as soon as we landed. "Lukey Dai (Ospreys scrum-half Luke Davies) was shouting from the back of the plane, saying congratulations. So that was pretty funny." After all the waiting, the noise and the countless squad predictions, Morgan wasn't even able to watch along live - hearing Ieuan Evans read out his name in between Joe McCarthy's and Henry Pollock's. Knowing that, in another hemisphere, his rugby story could be gilded with a new chapter, all while Morgan was detached from the real world - miles above it all - only added to the growing sense of nervousness. "I think it was a little bit more nerve-wracking, because we were flying and we knew it had been announced," he added. "We knew it was just a matter of time before we landed and we knew whether I was in the squad or not. "It was a little bit nerve-wracking, waiting to land." Of course, we all know how the story ends. We've seen the video of cheers and applause at the end of the short internal flight, the back of Morgan's head sheepishly sitting just in shot, behind the top of his seat, learning of his fate minutes after millions more knew he was a Lion. What you didn't see, what the video couldn't convey, was the wave of emotion hitting one of Wales' two tourists. The other, Tomos Williams, wiped away a tear and gathered himself long enough to step onto a Zoom call broadcast live to the nation, but Morgan - tucked away in the window seat - was feeling exactly the same as his team-mate. "It was a little bit emotional," he said. "I was sitting next to Kieran Hardy on the plane at the time and it was just us two, so I was able to put my head down a bit. "But when everyone was clapping and cheering, then as soon as we got off the plane and boys were congratulating me, that was quite an emotional time. "Everything you do, working hard throughout the season, is as a squad. To be able to share that with the boys was pretty special." From there, as the news washed over him, the next step was to speak to the others who have shared that journey with him. "It's a proud moment and a massive honour for me and the family," he admitted, still a little lost for words when facing the media hours after his call-up. "I've spoken to them. They're pretty chuffed. I only spoke to them briefly as we've been travelling a lot today. They're really happy. "It's quite a surreal thing to be picked for the Lions. I'm really grateful. "It's been a tough couple of years with everything that has gone on, on the rugby-side of things, You don't really expect anything, with the competition that has gone on. Any player could go. It's a massive honour. "Growing up, watching all the players from the past who have been selected. My earliest memory is 2013 in Australia. Article continues below "We won that series and there was a lot of Welsh in that team. There were moments in that game, like George (North) with (Israel) Folau, that stuck with me. "It's the pinnacle of their career, being selected. It's a proud moment for myself and my family, with everything they've sacrificed over the years. "I'm a bit lost for words. It's just great."
Irish Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lions star stuck on plane as squad announced before cheers erupt
Wales captain Jac Morgan was named as a British and Irish Lion on Thursday, joining Andy Farrell's 38-man squad set to tour Australia. However, due to a delayed internal flight in South Africa with the Ospreys, he missed the live announcement. The Ospreys were en route to Durban for their Friday night match against the Sharks when the Lions chair Ieuan Evans read out the list of names at London's O2 Arena on Thursday afternoon. The team had anticipated being on the bus from the airport to their hotel during the squad announcement. They even planned to film players' reactions to the news, hoping they could watch the event on YouTube as it wasn't geoblocked. However, the Ospreys' flight delay meant that the team landed just after the squad was announced, so Morgan didn't get to see the live stream. Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley expressed his delight for Morgan on social media, stating: "So pleased for Jac.", reports Wales Online. He added: "He's been brilliant for club and country, on and off the field. Really well deserved. "I wonder if he's found out yet, because I know their internal flight in South Africa was delayed, so they were in the air when the announcement was made." Bradley also wondered if Morgan had heard the news yet, given the timing of their flight delay in South Africa. The club shared a heartwarming video on their social media, capturing the moment Ospreys' Jack Morgan found out he made the Lions squad. Cheers erupted on the plane as someone from the Ospreys group can be heard exclaiming, "Yes, Jacky boy!" followed by applause from his mates. Despite stiff competition in the back-row and Wales' string of 17 Test match defeats, 25 year old Morgan secured his spot for this summer's tour, becoming one of just two Welsh players selected. This year sees the smallest number of Welsh players in an initial Lions squad since 1936, a time when not a single Welsh player joined the tour to Argentina. Previously, the lowest post-war figure was five Welshmen for the 1993 New Zealand tour, but since 2001, every tour had seen at least ten Welsh players chosen. Joining Morgan is Gloucester's scrum-half Tomos Williams, the other Welshman set for the tour. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
