#ospreys — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #ospreys, aggregated by home.social.
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An Osprey making a dive and coming up short
#nature #naturephotography #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #michigan #animals #birdphotography #wildlife #photography #birdsofmastodon #osprey #ospreys #diving #fishing #raptor
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An Osprey making a dive and coming up short
#nature #naturephotography #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #michigan #animals #birdphotography #wildlife #photography #birdsofmastodon #osprey #ospreys #diving #fishing #raptor
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An Osprey making a dive and coming up short
#nature #naturephotography #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #michigan #animals #birdphotography #wildlife #photography #birdsofmastodon #osprey #ospreys #diving #fishing #raptor
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An Osprey making a dive and coming up short
#nature #naturephotography #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #michigan #animals #birdphotography #wildlife #photography #birdsofmastodon #osprey #ospreys #diving #fishing #raptor
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An Osprey making a dive and coming up short
#nature #naturephotography #birds #birding #wildlifephotography #michigan #animals #birdphotography #wildlife #photography #birdsofmastodon #osprey #ospreys #diving #fishing #raptor
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RE: https://toot.wales/@SwanseaBayNews/116617730054631718
This is the obvious outcome from the WRU's wretched handling of the regions over the past years. It's hard to blame any of the players involved for securing their own future.
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OSPREYS: Ten players confirmed leaving at end of season — including shock exit of fan favourite Kasende
The Ospreys have confirmed ten players will leave the club when the current season ends — bringing the curtain down on a period of significant squad movement as the region prepares for its first season at St Helen’s.
The headline departures — Wales captain Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake — were confirmed as long ago as December, with both heading to Gloucester. Morgan signed off his Ospreys career in style, delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the final west Wales derby earlier this month, while Lake’s farewell was cut short by a shoulder injury that ended his season prematurely.
Morgan has made 51 appearances for the club, captained both the Ospreys and Wales, and toured with the British and Irish Lions. Lake has made 71 appearances and led Wales on multiple occasions — both products of the Ospreys development pathway who will leave significant voids to fill.
The biggest surprise on the list will be the departure of Dan Kasende. The 31-year-old wing and fullback, born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, joined the Ospreys on a permanent deal from the Toyota Cheetahs in October 2024 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular figures in the squad — known for his aerial prowess, high work rate and knack for scoring crucial tries.
Phil Cokanasiga is also heading to Gloucester, joining Morgan and Lake at Kingsholm. The centre has provided physicality and ball-carrying threat throughout his time with the club.
Ryan Conbeer departs after a spell in which the Ospreys have already moved to secure his replacement — Wales international Tom Rogers arriving from the Scarlets for next season.
Jack Walsh, the versatile utility back, is heading to Montauban in the French Top 14 — having chosen that opportunity over the prospect of pursuing Welsh qualification by residency.
James Fender, the second row, heads to Grenoble in the French PRO D2.
Fellow second row Will Greatbanks also departs. The 22-year-old is English-born but spent much of his youth in France and is Welsh-qualified through his Welsh-born father — he joined the Ospreys ahead of the 2024/25 season from Soyaux Angoulême.
Centre Tom Florence, a Bridgend product who came through the Ospreys academy, leaves after a stop-start spell — with Ealing Trailfinders understood to be a potential destination for the 22-year-old.
Outside-half Luke Scully, a former Wales U20s international, also departs after failing to nail down a regular starting berth.
The ten departures stand in contrast to a busy period of contract renewals. Since December, the Ospreys have tied down Sam Parry, Dan Edwards, Keelan Giles, Morgan Morse, Harri Deaves, Lewis Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Garyn Phillips, Evardi Boshoff and Tom Botha — with the club building stability around a core of academy graduates and experienced performers.
The club is also understood to be active in the recruitment market, targeting an outside-half and a backrower ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Ospreys are still yet to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement with the WRU — a backdrop that continues to complicate long-term planning as the union presses ahead with its plan to reduce professional rugby in Wales from four teams to three by 2028/29.
The club thanked all ten departing players for their dedication throughout their time at the region.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Morgan inspires Ospreys to derby day win over Scarlets
Jac Morgan delivered a man-of-the-match farewell performance in the west Wales derby earlier this month.Injury to end Lake’s Ospreys farewell prematurely
Dewi Lake’s final season at the Ospreys was cut short by a shoulder injury requiring surgery.Wales international Rogers signs for Ospreys
Tom Rogers arrives from the Scarlets to bolster the Ospreys’ back three ahead of next season.WRU: Ospreys and Scarlets still haven’t signed Welsh rugby’s new deal
#DanKasende #DewiLake #JacMorgan #JamesFender #LukeScully #Ospreys #PhilCokanasiga #RyanConbeer #TomFlorence #WillGreatbanks #WRU
The PRA25 agreement remains unsigned four weeks after the Ospreys announced their intention to commit. -
WRU: Ospreys and Scarlets still haven’t signed Welsh rugby’s new deal — four weeks after Ospreys said they would
Welsh rugby’s two west Wales regions are still unsigned on the deal that was supposed to secure their futures — and the WRU‘s plan to cut professional rugby in Wales from four teams to three remains very much alive in the background.
Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley confirmed on Thursday that the region had not yet signed the new Professional Rugby Agreement — known as PRA25 — despite announcing its intention to do so four weeks ago.
The Scarlets are also yet to commit to the deal, which sets out how professional rugby in Wales will be run, including how much money each region will receive.
Bradley told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast the hold-up was not a cause for alarm. “It’s not signed yet, but it’s progressing towards that, so it’s very close,” he said. “It’s just a few details to sort out, there aren’t any problems with it.”
He also moved to dismiss reports suggesting the new agreement would mean budget cuts for the clubs. “There was some discussion about how you manage recruitment at relatively short notice, but no — there are no plans for a reduction in the budget,” Bradley said.
The two regions are currently signed to an older agreement that runs until 2028. Dragons and Cardiff — currently owned by the WRU — signed the new PRA25 deal in May 2025, which runs until 2030.
The Ospreys and Scarlets had held back from signing last year, releasing a joint statement seeking clarity from the WRU before they would commit. That stand-off triggered a significant escalation from the WRU.
In May 2025, the WRU announced it would move away from a model of four evenly-funded clubs — a move that sent shockwaves through west Wales rugby and fuelled fears for both regions’ survival.
What followed was one of the most turbulent periods in Welsh regional rugby history. Swansea Council went to the High Court seeking an injunction to halt a proposed WRU deal that it said would end the Ospreys. Fans launched a 10,000-signature petition. Politicians, supporters and public figures called for the WRU chair’s resignation.
The Y11 bid to take over Cardiff Rugby also collapsed in April — a significant moment that changed the landscape of negotiations, with the WRU subsequently moving to offer PRA25 to the Ospreys and Scarlets.
The WRU’s subsequent U-turn — offering both regions a professional rugby agreement — was celebrated by campaigners as a massive victory. But the deal still hasn’t been signed, and the WRU’s longer-term plan has not gone away.
The union wants to cut professional men’s rugby in Wales from four teams to three by the 2028-29 season, and has said it will outline the terms of how that will be achieved this summer.
Previous WRU proposals suggested only one team would remain in west Wales — which would mean either the Ospreys or the Scarlets ceasing to exist as a professional side. Bradley said he hoped it would not come to that.
“My personal preference would be that four regions is something that works very well,” he said. “Ospreys against Scarlets is the biggest club game in Welsh rugby — everybody likes to hate everybody else, but it’s a fantastic game and a fantastic rivalry, and I’d like to see it continue if possible.”
He added that the regions would need to see the full details of the WRU’s three-team plan before drawing any firm conclusions about what it would mean for west Wales rugby.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
WRU: ‘A massive victory’ — reaction as Ospreys and Scarlets handed lifeline in Welsh rugby U-turn
Politicians and candidates react to the WRU’s decision to offer professional rugby agreements to the Ospreys and Scarlets.WRU: Cardiff Y11 ownership bid collapses
Y11 Sport and Media withdrew from the Cardiff Rugby bid process as the WRU moved to offer PRA25 to the western regions.Welsh rugby regional duo seeking clarity on Professional Rugby Agreement
The Ospreys and Scarlets released a joint statement seeking clarity from the WRU before agreeing to sign the new deal.WRU announcement leaves rugby regions in limbo over future
#LanceBradley #Llanelli #Ospreys #PRA25 #ProfessionalRugbyAgreement #Scarlets #WRU
The WRU said it would move away from four evenly-funded clubs after the Ospreys and Scarlets declined to sign PRA25. -
Work begins next week as Ospreys unveil St Helen’s redevelopment plans — marking the end of the most turbulent chapter in the club’s history
Six months ago, the Ospreys were fighting for their survival. Today, they are announcing a major redevelopment of one of Welsh rugby’s most historic grounds — with work beginning next week on the transformation of St Helen’s ahead of the club’s first season there in 2026/27.
The contrast with where the club stood in February could hardly be starker. Swansea Council went to the High Court to seek an injunction to halt a WRU deal that it said would mean the end of the Ospreys as a professional regional side. Fans launched a 10,000-signature petition. MPs, the council leader and even Michael Sheen called for the WRU’s chair to go.
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood announced his departure in March — the man whose plans to restructure Welsh professional rugby had sparked the revolt. An Extraordinary General Meeting followed in April, at which the WRU initially doubled down on its three-team plan before the pressure from clubs, fans and politicians finally told.
The WRU then performed a U-turn — offering the Ospreys and Scarlets professional rugby agreements and stepping back from its plan to cut Welsh professional rugby to three teams. The turnaround was described by those who had fought for it as “a massive victory.”
Tuesday’s announcement is the first major visible sign of what that victory means in practice. The club is not just surviving — it is building.
The redevelopment plans centre on a new South Stand and a redeveloped West Stand and terrace. A dedicated fan zone will be created to improve the matchday atmosphere and experience, alongside expanded hospitality facilities designed to make St Helen’s a destination on and off the pitch.
Plan for the newly redeveloped St Helen’s Stadium
(Image: Ospreys)The work will be delivered in phases — allowing the club to play at St Helen’s throughout the 2026/27 season while construction continues around them. Further details on timelines and additional features will be shared as the project progresses.
Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley said the redevelopment was about building on St Helen’s proud history rather than replacing it. “This is an important moment for the Ospreys,” he said. “St Helen’s has a proud history, and these plans are about building on that to create a home that reflects who we are and where we’re going.”
Bradley paid tribute to Swansea Council — the same authority that had gone to court to protect the club — for their support throughout the process. “Working together has been vital in helping us move these plans forward and ensuring St Helen’s can become a venue that serves both the Ospreys and the wider community,” he said.
“We want to create a venue that brings people together, not just for rugby, but as a focal point for our community, whilst also giving our players and staff the environment they need to perform,” Bradley added.
He said the phased approach was critical to keeping the project on track. “Delivering this in phases allows us to move forward at pace while being able to play at St Helen’s next season, which is incredibly important to us,” he said.
The journey to this point has been long. St Helen’s was named as the Ospreys’ preferred location in July 2024, following a battle with Bridgend’s Dunraven Brewery Field for the right to host the club. The planning application followed in June 2025, and Swansea Council’s ruling cabinet approved the principle of the investment in December 2024.
St Helen’s is one of the most historic sports grounds in Wales — a venue that has hosted rugby and cricket at the highest level for well over a century, and the scene of some of the greatest moments in Welsh sporting history. It was here that Gareth Edwards, Barry John and the great Wales sides of the 1970s played some of their finest rugby.
The ground has also been the home of Swansea RFC — whose final match on the famous St Helen’s turf took place in April, drawing fans who came to celebrate the pitch that had hosted legends before the Ospreys took over.
Season memberships for the 2026/27 campaign go on sale on Tuesday 26 May — giving supporters who fought so hard to keep the Ospreys alive the chance to be part of the first season at the new St Helen’s from the very beginning.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
WRU: ‘A massive victory’ — reaction as Ospreys and Scarlets handed lifeline in Welsh rugby U-turn
The moment the WRU stepped back from its three-team plan and offered the Ospreys a professional rugby agreement.Council goes to High Court: Swansea seeks urgent injunction to stop WRU–Y11 deal that would end the Ospreys
The moment Swansea Council went to court to fight for the Ospreys’ survival.Ospreys submit planning application for St Helen’s stadium
The June 2025 planning application that set the redevelopment in motion.St Helen’s named as new home for Ospreys rugby
How St Helen’s beat Bridgend to become the Ospreys’ chosen new home in July 2024.Call for fans to celebrate the pitch that hosted legends at St Helen’s
#featured #Ospreys #Rugby #StHelenSStadium #Swansea
Swansea RFC’s farewell to St Helen’s before the Ospreys took over. -
32 players leave Welsh regions after raft of announcements
There are a number of players leaving Wales at the end of the season 15:29, 19 May 2026Updated…
#NewsBeep #News #Rugby #CardiffRugby #Dragons #Ospreys #rugby #Scarlets #Sports #UK #UnitedKingdom #UnitedRugbyChampionship
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/593643/ -
United Rugby Championship fixtures: Full list for 2026/27 confirmed
The full fixtures for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season have now been revealed, with heavyweights Munster…
#NewsBeep #News #Rugby #AU #Australia #BenettonTreviso #Bulls #CardiffRugby #Connacht #Dragons #Edinburgh #GlasgowWarriors #HomePage #Leinster #lions #Munster #Ospreys #Scarlets #sharks #sports #Stormers #Ulster #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Zebre
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/680923/ -
United Rugby Championship fixtures: Full list for 2026/27 confirmed
The full fixtures for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season have now been revealed, with heavyweights Munster…
#NewsBeep #News #Rugby #AU #Australia #BenettonTreviso #Bulls #CardiffRugby #Connacht #Dragons #Edinburgh #GlasgowWarriors #HomePage #Leinster #lions #Munster #Ospreys #Scarlets #sharks #sports #Stormers #Ulster #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Zebre
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/680923/ -
https://www.europesays.com/uk/969287/ The Welsh rugby awards: Best player, worst signing and biggest mess #Britain #CardiffRugby #Dragons #GreatBritain #Ospreys #Premium #Scarlets #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WalesRugbyTeam #WelshRugbyUnion
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/968557/ Rugby winners and losers as forgotten Wales stars send message and WRU face problem #Britain #CardiffRugby #GreatBritain #Ospreys #Premium #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WalesRugbyTeam #WalesWomen'sRugby
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So with 12 minutes to play, it's #Leinster 68 #Ospreys 7 Can Leinster cling on for the win? #UnitedRugbyChampionship
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https://www.europesays.com/ie/484536/ URC round 18: Predictions, teams, kick-off, how to watch, referees #BenettonTreviso #Bulls #CardiffRugby #Connacht #Dragons #Edinburgh #Éire #GlasgowWarriors #HomePage #IE #Ireland #Leinster #Lions #Munster #News #Ospreys #predictions #Scarlets #Sharks #Sports #Stormers #Ulster #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Zebre
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/950778/ Jac Morgan makes Ospreys promise and Welsh rugby stalwart bows out #Britain #EbbwValeRFC #GreatBritain #JacMorgan #LlandoveryRFC #Ospreys #SuperRygbiCymru #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/948870/ Ospreys v Scarlets player ratings as unheralded prop shines alongside Jac Morgan #Britain #GreatBritain #Ospreys #Scarlets #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/945602/ Today’s rugby news as Wales squad hopefuls get final trial before big announcement #Britain #CardiffRugby #GreatBritain #Ospreys #Scarlets #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WalesRugbyTeam
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/944441/ The unluckiest player in Wales could finally get call as noise around him changes #Britain #GreatBritain #Ospreys #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WalesRugbyTeam
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Ospreys lose soon-to-be Welsh qualified back
Ospreys are set to lose a star back who is off to France next season, Newcastle Red Bulls…
#NewsBeep #News #Rugby #AU #Australia #Features #HomePage #Newcastle #Ospreys #premiership #sports #Transfers #UnitedRugbyChampionship
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/638229/ -
https://www.europesays.com/ie/451131/ URC round 16: Predictions, teams, kick-offs, how to watch, referees #BenettonTreviso #Bulls #CardiffRugby #Connacht #Dragons #Edinburgh #Éire #GlasgowWarriors #HomePage #IE #Ireland #Leinster #Lions #Munster #News #Ospreys #Scarlets #Sharks #Sports #Stormers #Ulster #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Zebre
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https://www.europesays.com/uk/913433/ URC round 16: Predictions, teams, kick-offs, how to watch, referees #BenettonTreviso #bulls #CardiffRugby #Connacht #Dragons #Edinburgh #GlasgowWarriors #HomePage #Leinster #Lions #Munster #News #Ospreys #Rugby #Scarlets #Sharks #Sports #Stormers #UK #Ulster #UnitedKingdom #UnitedRugbyChampionship #zebre
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SCARLETS: Club welcomes WRU lifeline and signals new investment as season ticket sales surge
The Scarlets have welcomed the Welsh Rugby Union’s offer of a Professional Rugby Agreement, saying the development brings “increased stability, security and clearer governance” to professional rugby in west Wales.
The club confirmed it will undergo due diligence before signing the agreement, which was announced by the WRU this week as part of a wider U-turn that also saw the proposed sale of Cardiff Rugby to Y11 Sport & Media collapse. The Ospreys are expected to sign shortly too, bringing all four Welsh professional clubs onto the same contractual footing for the first time.
The deal offers what the club described as “a more equitable framework for the professional game” and the Scarlets said they would continue to engage constructively with the WRU on its future strategy.
The announcement comes alongside confirmation of significant new investment into the club from its funding group. In a statement, the Scarlets described it as “a clear vote of confidence in Llanelli, in our heritage, and in the future of professional rugby in West Wales.”
That investment followed a period of acknowledged financial difficulty at the club. Earlier this month, the Scarlets confirmed significant new funding from within their existing funding group in a carefully worded statement that thanked supporters for their “loyalty and patience during a difficult period” — language that resonated widely with fans who had watched months of uncertainty unfold. The club declined at the time to detail the scale of the difficulties or the level of investment secured.
The club also reported strong early uptake on season ticket sales this week, alongside renewed commitments from key sponsors and partners — a sign, the club said, of renewed momentum and positivity around the region.
Last weekend’s Welsh derby at Parc y Scarlets provided further evidence of the club’s pulling power, with more than 1,000 hospitality places sold out and a crowd of over 9,000 in attendance. A community festival involving more than 500 junior players from grassroots clubs across the region also took place on the day.
The Scarlets said they would be making a series of rugby recruitment and retention announcements in the coming weeks, with a new performance programme in place aimed at returning the club to top-tier play-off contention.
The wider political reaction to the WRU’s announcement has been strongly positive, with Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart — who launched legal action against the WRU during the campaign to protect the Ospreys — calling the outcome “a major win,” and MP Torsten Bell describing it as “a massive victory” for fans and campaigners.
The development has also been welcomed by Senedd candidates in Sir Gaerfyrddin, where earlier this week Labour, Plaid Cymru and independent candidates united to demand scrutiny of the WRU’s west Wales merger plans — arguing that the loss of the Scarlets would be devastating for the Carmarthenshire economy and culture.
The Ospreys have also responded positively. The region’s chief executive has spoken of his optimism for the future following confirmation that the club will also be offered the agreement and that plans for a redeveloped St Helens stadium in Swansea are proceeding.
The WRU has been clear, however, that its ambition to move to three professional clubs by the end of the 2027/28 season remains unchanged. CEO Abi Tierney said the union was “undeterred” from that goal, with a decision on how to implement the strategy expected by June. The agreement provides near-term stability — but the longer-term picture for all four regions remains unresolved.
Nonetheless, the Scarlets expressed confidence in the club’s direction, saying the hard work, energy and forward focus at the club on and off the field “continues at full pace” — with further announcements on the playing squad and recruitment to follow in the coming weeks.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
WRU: Cardiff Y11 ownership bid collapses
The full story of the WRU’s announcement and the collapse of the Cardiff sale.WRU: ‘A massive victory’ — reaction as Ospreys and Scarlets handed lifeline
Political reaction including Rob Stewart’s exclusive video response.Ospreys: Jones positive for region’s future after Y11 Cardiff collapse
The Ospreys’ response to the same announcement.Scarlets: Club confirms ‘significant’ new investment after difficult period amid financial rumours
Our earlier coverage of the funding announcement that preceded this week’s news.WRU — all our coverage
#Llanelli #Ospreys #PRA25 #Rugby #Scarlets #WRU
Full archive of Swansea Bay News reporting on the Welsh rugby crisis. -
WRU: ‘A massive victory’ — reaction as Ospreys and Scarlets handed lifeline in Welsh rugby U-turn
The announcement that the Welsh Rugby Union will offer the 2025 Professional Rugby Agreement to both the Ospreys and Scarlets has been met with celebration and relief across south and west Wales — but also with sharp words for the union over the months of uncertainty that preceded it.
The WRU confirmed this week that Y11 Sport & Media has withdrawn from its bid to purchase Cardiff Rugby, that Cardiff will remain under WRU ownership for now, and that both the Ospreys and Scarlets will be offered the PRA25 agreement in line with Dragons RFC and Cardiff Rugby. The WRU has been clear, however, that its ambition to move to three professional clubs by the end of the 2027/28 season remains unchanged, with a decision on how to implement that strategy expected by June.
Here is how some of those who campaigned for the regions have responded.
Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader and Labour candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who launched legal action against the WRU and called in the competition watchdog during the campaign to save the Ospreys, described the outcome as a major win.
Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader and Labour candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, gives his exclusive reaction to the WRU’s decision to offer professional rugby agreements to the Ospreys and Scarlets. (Video: Kirstie Logan Communications)Rob Stewart said: “Today the WRU have announced the deal to sell Cardiff to Y11 is off and a new Professional Rugby Agreement is being offered to the Ospreys and Scarlets — ensuring four teams remain potentially until 2030,” he said.
“Let me be clear — this is a major win for the campaign to save the Ospreys that I’m proud to have been a part of.
“The Ospreys will be playing at a redeveloped St Helens from the start of next season, which will be fantastic for the city, our local economy, and the Ospreys supporters.”
Stewart was also blunt in his criticism of the WRU’s handling of the saga. “We could have been in this position a year ago had the WRU not presided over chaos and confusion. The clubs and the union have suffered financially and fans and our game have faced unnecessary uncertainty. This was completely avoidable and the leadership of the WRU have to take responsibility for the crisis they caused.”
However, the WRU’s own statement makes clear its three-club ambition remains firmly in place. CEO Abi Tierney said the union remains “undeterred from our ambition to move to three professional sides,” with a decision on implementing that strategy expected by June. The PRA25 agreements provide near-term stability — but the longer-term picture for all four regions is still unresolved.
Torsten Bell MP, Swansea West
Torsten Bell, the MP for Swansea West who has been among the most vocal critics of the WRU’s handling of the Ospreys crisis, called the announcement a turning point.
“Today is a huge moment. Fans, and those of us who campaigned relentlessly alongside them against WRU’s chaotic reforms to Welsh rugby, have won a massive victory,” he said.
“The WRU have backed down and the Cardiff deal is off. More importantly the Ospreys will sign a new agreement with the WRU for the next four years — seeing the club into the next decade with a significant funding boost.
“So the attempt to force the Ospreys out of professional rugby with no proper process has been defeated.
“Crucially, this means the exciting development of St Helens will now be going ahead. Professional rugby is coming back to the centre of Swansea.
“Today is a vindication for everyone that stood up to be counted. I want to congratulate the fans and clubs for what they have achieved.”
Carl Peters-Bond, independent candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin
Peters-Bond, who joined politicians from Labour and Plaid Cymru earlier this week in calling for Senedd scrutiny of the WRU’s west Wales plans, welcomed the development but echoed the sentiment that much of the damage had already been done.
“I’m delighted that the WRU board have finally seen sense and regional rugby will continue in Llanelli and Swansea,” he said. “Rugby is more than just a sport — it’s part of our culture and an important part of our region’s economy.
“It’s just a shame that it has taken over a year of uncertainty causing anger, frustration and confusion for fans, players and the wider community — something that could have been avoided if the WRU had just listened instead of ploughing on regardless.”
More reaction to follow as it comes in.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
WRU: Cardiff Y11 ownership bid collapses
Our reporter’s full account of the WRU announcement.Ospreys lifeline as council seals historic St Helens deal
How the St Helens redevelopment became central to the Ospreys’ future.Swansea Council launches legal action against WRU over Cardiff Rugby sale
The moment Rob Stewart took the fight to the courts.Scarlets: Candidates unite across party lines to demand Senedd scrutiny of WRU’s West Wales merger plans
Yesterday’s cross-party response to the WRU’s EGM position.WRU — all our coverage
#CarlPetersBond #Llanelli #Ospreys #RobStewart #Scarlets #SeneddElection2026 #Swansea #TorstenBellMP #WelshRugby #WRU
Full archive of Swansea Bay News reporting on the Welsh rugby crisis. -
WRU doubles down on three-team plan after EGM as Ospreys supporters warn of “lasting damage” to Welsh rugby
The EGM, held at the Principality Stadium on Monday evening, proceeded despite all three original motions being withdrawn at the start of the meeting after the announced departures of WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall. Around 124 of the WRU’s 284 member clubs and districts attended either in person or online — meaning more than half stayed away entirely.
With no votes to cast, the meeting became a lengthy presentation by WRU leadership followed by an hour and a half of questions from the floor. CEO Abi Tierney reiterated the case for reducing to three professional teams, arguing that Wales is attempting to spread a limited talent pool too thinly and that years of underinvestment in development pathways had brought the game to its current point.
In the days before the meeting Swansea Bay News had warned it could end up as nothing more than a chat — and so it proved, with Tierney unable to offer any concrete timeline, detail on how the reduction would be delivered, or clarity on the Cardiff sale process.
Both Tierney and Collier-Keywood admitted during the meeting that they had made mistakes — specifically that they had spent too long trying to maintain four teams and persuade them to sign a new Professional Rugby Agreement before Cardiff went bust. Collier-Keywood said they tried to maintain four sides for too long amid disputes with the regions, with both agreeing the current benefactor model in Welsh rugby is not sustainable in the long term.
It was also suggested the union had suffered a £6 million shortfall in revenue due to poor Six Nations ticket sales, including a record low crowd for the home match against France. Former Principality Building Society COO Rob Regan — a vocal critic of the WRU’s plans who has been working on an alternative model — used the meeting to ask Tierney directly to admit mistakes in order to help rebuild public trust.
The reaction from the Ospreys community was swift and unequivocal. The Ospreys Supporters Club said it was “extremely disappointed, though not surprised” by the outcome, adding that the WRU’s position remained unchanged despite recent leadership changes.
In a statement, the supporters group described the current situation as “the result of years of chronic mismanagement and neglect at the top of the game” and warned that removing a professional side in west Wales would risk “causing lasting damage to the sport in one of its strongest heartlands.” The OSC called on the WRU to “urgently reconsider its position, rebuild trust through genuine engagement, and work collaboratively with stakeholders before further damage is done.”
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart had urged clubs to maintain maximum pressure going into the meeting, warning that not voting to remove Collier-Keywood — even though he had already announced his departure — “would send all the wrong messages and is open to misrepresentation by the WRU.” He confirmed that Swansea Council’s legal action remains ready, a CMA referral remains live and the commitment to the Ospreys remains at “100%.”
Stewart also confirmed that work on the St Helen’s redevelopment is expected to start soon as part of the co-investment plan agreed with the Ospreys, with the aim of creating a new venue ready for the start of the 2026/27 season.
Torsten Bell MP also called on clubs to use the meeting to oppose the three-team plan, describing the stakes as “not about technical governance issues” but about “safeguarding the soul of Welsh rugby.” He said Wales deserved a WRU that “brings everyone to the table and explores every option before making decisions that will see major changes to our game.”
The meeting heard a notable moment of contrast on the floor. CGRU representative Chris Morgan argued that Wales’s period of international success had been built on four professional teams and that abandoning that structure without a credible alternative amounted to “a dereliction of duty that could destroy Welsh rugby.” His remarks drew applause from parts of the room. However, a separate club representative later claimed a significant proportion of clubs remained firmly behind the WRU’s proposals — drawing what was reportedly the loudest and most sustained applause of the evening.
Tierney, speaking to journalists after the meeting, said she was confident in strong grassroots support for the three-team plan but was unable to provide further detail on how or when a decision would be reached. She denied the reduction automatically meant a straight shootout between the Ospreys and Scarlets for the western licence, saying there were “a few different permutations.” She also declined to comment on the status of the Scarlets’ legal action against the WRU.
On the Cardiff sale, Tierney admitted no deal had yet been agreed with Y11 Sport & Media, with the exclusivity period due to end on April 22 and reports suggesting Y11 may be reconsidering its position. She also confirmed the WRU is working closely with the United Rugby Championship but was unable to say whether a replacement for the fourth Welsh side in the competition had been found.
The WRU confirmed it will use external headhunters to appoint a new independent chair, with the process to begin in May and the new person expected to be in place by early summer. As Swansea politicians called for a reset following Collier-Keywood’s initial announcement, the mood in Welsh rugby remains one of deep uncertainty — and the questions that defined this EGM remain entirely unanswered.
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Wales international Rogers signs for Ospreys
The 27-year-old has spent the last nine years at Parc y Scarlets after making his senior debut for the west Wallians in 2017.
Having played 88 times for Scarlets as well as winning 13 caps for Wales, including scoring a memorable hat-trick against New Zealand last November, luring Rogers to sign from their rivals will be seen as somewhat of a coup for the Ospreys in an unsettled period of time.
Rogers spoke about the influence Ospreys boss Mark Jones, a former Wales wing himself, brought to help switch to Scarlets bitter rivals.
“I spoke to Mark and a few of the boys about the Ospreys and that played a big role in making the decision to move,” said Rogers.
“The Ospreys have had a lot of success over the years, and I’m really looking forward to testing myself in a different environment.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Scarlets fans for their support during my time at the club, it has always meant a lot to me.”
Scarlets confirmed they tried to keep the Carmarthen-born player at the Llanelli club.Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies said:
“We are obviously disappointed to see him move on. There was a contract offer for him to stay with us and continue his career with Scarlets, but we understand his decision to look for a new challenge.”
Ospreys head coach Jones has admitted that recruitment for next season has been difficult with the region braced to lose Wales pair Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, but insisted signing of Rogers, who can play across the back three positions, was a statement of intent for the club’s future.
“To secure a player of Tom’s ability is nothing short of a coup and a sign of the project we are building here at the club,” said Jones.
“Tom is an excellent, international talent that will add to our already exceptional core of back-three players.
“He’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife in the fact he is equally adept at full-back and wing, and we have no doubt that he will hit the ground running when he comes in next season.
“A big part of our recruitment strategy this season was to secure our young homegrown talent but it was also important to add quality [and] the addition of Tom definitely fits that bill.”
Despite the loss of a promising Wales international, Davies said he remains positive about the current project to rebuild a Scarlets squad who have struggled in URC this season.
“Our focus now is very clear. We are building a squad that is aligned, competitive and capable of driving this club forward,” Davies said.
“We have real strength and depth developing across the back three, with a group that combines international quality with exciting young talent coming through our pathway. That gives us a strong platform to build from.
“There is real momentum building here and we are excited about what lies ahead.”
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
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WRU EGM: Welsh rugby’s extraordinary meeting will go ahead next Monday — but it could end up as nothing more than a chat
Welsh rugby’s extraordinary general meeting will still be held next Monday despite the clubs that called for it withdrawing their support — though it could end up being little more than an open discussion rather than any formal vote, as the crisis gripping the sport shows no sign of easing.
The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed this afternoon that the EGM, which clubs originally demanded before later pulling back from, must proceed under company law once it has been formally called — regardless of whether those who called it still want it.
The meeting was requisitioned by 50 member clubs but 40 of those have since proactively withdrawn their support for the three resolutions originally tabled. The WRU has now written to all member clubs asking whether any object to those resolutions being dropped from the agenda entirely.
What happens next depends on the replies. If clubs ask for the resolutions to stay on the table, the meeting will open with members being asked to vote on whether to withdraw them. If that consent is not given, the vote on all three original resolutions goes ahead as planned. If no objections are received at all, the EGM becomes an informal gathering — a presentation on the “Future of Rugby in Wales” followed by open discussion, with no binding votes taking place.
There is also a numbers consideration. The quorum for a formal WRU general meeting is 95 clubs, attending either in person, virtually or by proxy. WRU President Terry Cobner has called on all member clubs to attend regardless of their position, to ensure the meeting can proceed in whatever form it takes.
Cobner said the WRU was embracing the meeting as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. “We are calling on all member clubs to attend, either in person or virtually, so that they can listen once again to our plans, but also so that they can contribute openly and so that we can hear their views,” he said. “Of course, we will also be fully prepared to host voting on the three resolutions that had been tabled should that be required. But it is vitally important that we hear from our full membership and we are looking forward to, at the very least, a healthy and constructive debate.”
The crisis at the heart of Welsh rugby has been building for months. At the centre of it are the WRU’s plans to cut the number of professional Welsh regions from four — the Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff and Dragons — to three by June 2027. The proposal would effectively see one region axed, with the Ospreys’ future in the professional game the most acutely in doubt. The WRU confirmed earlier this year that Y11 Sport and Media — the current Ospreys owners — had been selected as the preferred bidder to take over Cardiff Rugby, in a move widely seen as the beginning of the end for professional rugby in Swansea.
Swansea Council moved to seek an injunction to prevent the WRU proceeding with the Y11 deal, and also asked the Competition and Markets Authority to intervene, arguing the process of reducing regions had not been conducted in a fair and transparent way. The legal challenge brought civic and sporting conflict into the open, with the council and WRU trading accusations over the accuracy of meeting notes and the reliability of claims made on both sides.
It was against that backdrop that 50 clubs formally requisitioned the EGM, initially tabling motions including a vote of no confidence in WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood. That vote was pre-empted when Collier-Keywood announced he would not seek a second term and will leave his position on 16 July. Politicians and civic leaders welcomed his departure but warned it was not enough on its own. Swansea West MP Torsten Bell said it was “right” that Collier-Keywood had decided to step aside — but added that the organisation had “brought forward the wrong plan for the future of Welsh rugby” and had “gone about it in absolutely the wrong way.” Many are now calling for a full reset of the WRU’s strategy, not just a change of personnel at the top.
The crisis drew in voices far beyond the boardroom. Rob Regan, former Chief Operating Officer of Principality Building Society, mobilised a group of senior business figures calling for new, independent leadership at the WRU. Former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones — one of the greatest players the game has produced — issued a stark warning that the WRU’s plans would leave a “rugby black hole” across Swansea Bay. Actor Michael Sheen, who has previously spoken passionately about rugby’s place in Welsh life, also stepped into the debate, urging the WRU to rethink its direction.
An online petition gathered nearly 10,000 signatures — more than the 7,000 responses the WRU said it was pleased with after its own consultation exercise, the process that directly led to the three-region announcement. Ospreys Supporters’ Club chair Sarah Collins-Davies said the petition numbers proved the WRU had “lost the argument” with its own fanbase before any meeting had taken place.
Monday’s EGM now looks like a pivotal moment — whether it results in formal votes, a procedural withdrawal, or simply a very loud conversation about where Welsh rugby goes from here. With a new chair to be appointed, a legal challenge still live, and the Y11 deal hanging in the balance, the outcome of next week’s meeting is unlikely to be the end of this story.
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OSPREYS: Fans close in on 10,000-name petition target as WRU told it has “lost the argument”
The petition stood at 8,980 names as of this morning. Supporters say that already outstrips the 7,000 responses the WRU said it was pleased with after its own consultation exercise — the process that led directly to the announcement of the three-region plan.
Ospreys Supporters’ Club chair Sarah Collins-Davies said: “The WRU lauded the fact it was really happy with the 7,000 responses it had to the consultation process. We have had more people sign our petition than those who took part in their survey. And this has only been over a short period.”
She added: “The WRU is trying to control the narrative. But people can see through it. We are delighted with the response we have had so far from other clubs and countries. They can all understand the plight we are facing.”
The petition has drawn responses from across Wales and beyond, with fans setting out in stark terms what losing the Ospreys would mean.
Adrian, from the Swansea area, wrote: “Players and supporters from areas including Gower, Swansea, Swansea Valley, Neath, Port Talbot, Afan Valley, Bridgend and Ogwr will all be impacted by removing the Ospreys. Rugby will slowly die in the region.”
Gerry warned simply: “Once they’re gone they will be GONE.” Jonathan added: “Moving from four top teams to three will not address the decline in support for Welsh rugby — it is a short-sighted decision.” Support has also come from France, with several French-language signatories expressing solidarity with the campaign.
The WRU’s plan would see the four regions replaced by three — one in the east, one in the capital and one in the west. The Ospreys, the most successful Welsh region in the professional era with four league titles to their name, are widely feared to be the side facing the axe.
The crisis has unfolded at pace over recent months. Swansea Council launched High Court action to block Ospreys owners Y11 Sports & Media from taking over Cardiff Rugby, who went into administration last year. Welsh rugby clubs forced an extraordinary general meeting — still due at Principality Stadium on April 13 — after which chair Richard Collier-Keywood announced he would step down in July, with a vote of no confidence against him subsequently withdrawn.
Former Ospreys players including Shane Williams, Ryan Jones and Alun Wyn Jones signed an open letter calling for the proposals to be halted. Swansea West MP Torsten Bell and Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart have also spoken out against the plan.
The Senedd delivered its own verdict. Delyth Jewell MS, chair of the Welsh Government’s sport and culture committee, wrote to Collier-Keywood saying the WRU risked “losing the soul” of Welsh rugby and had “lost the argument over the future of the professional game.”
Despite the pressure, WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has insisted there will be no U-turn.
Meanwhile, Swansea Council and the Ospreys have sealed a landmark deal at St Helen’s — including a new 4G pitch and modernised stands — with work set to start soon. The Ospreys are expected to be playing home matches at the famous old ground by the autumn.
The petition can be signed at change.org.
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WRU: Cardiff Rugby financier declares interest in chair role — but west Wales fans ask if the game is heading in one direction
The declaration by Martyn Ryan that he is interested in becoming the next WRU chair has sparked a sharp reaction from rugby supporters across west Wales, with Ospreys and Scarlets fans questioning whether the most powerful role in Welsh rugby governance is about to go to yet another Cardiff-connected figure.
Ryan’s interest, reported by Wales Online on Easter Sunday, comes just weeks after Richard Collier-Keywood confirmed he will step down as WRU independent chair in July, ending a turbulent three-year tenure that brought Welsh rugby to its most fractious period in modern times.
Ryan is a Cardiff-born, Penarth-raised chartered accountant who built his career in finance, serving as a partner and chief operating officer at Genesis Investment Management after earlier positions at Schroders, Morgan Grenfell and other City institutions. Originally a player with London Welsh from 1984, he spent decades as a director and administrator at the club. He chairs the Welsh Exiles and has served on the WRU’s own Game Policy and Audit Committees. He is also a benefactor of Glamorgan Cricket and has served as interim chair of the Welsh National Opera board.
He joined the Cardiff Blues board in 2013, describing it at the time as a personal investment and a chance to put something back into rugby in his home city. More recently he led the Hollywood-backed consortium — which included three American film and television producers — that bid for Cardiff Rugby when the WRU took the club into its ownership following administration in April 2025. That bid ultimately lost out to Y11, the Ospreys’ owners, whose potential acquisition of Cardiff had already sent shockwaves through Swansea.
The response on social media has been pointed — and the criticism is coming from multiple directions. Some are questioning his Cardiff associations. Wayne Ireland wrote: “Not another Cardiff connected person applying for a position at the WRU. They need to have equal representation from the four regional areas.” Allan Fellows was more blunt: “No. We need someone with real, everyday experience of Welsh rugby.”
Others have gone further. Simon Arrowsmith raised Ryan’s track record at Cardiff directly, writing: “He’s happy to go down to 3 clubs as long as it’s not HIS club. He’s been the financial guy at Cardiff for years and they went pop.” There is also a broader frustration about governance structures, with Milton Reed arguing for root-and-branch reform: “We need the four regions’ representatives to be on the WRU board — plus one from the community game, plus the same to look out for students, schools and academies.”
The timing is significant. Collier-Keywood presided over the plan to cut Wales’s professional regions from four to three — a process that has placed the Ospreys and Scarlets in direct competition for survival. It triggered the push for an extraordinary general meeting that brought Welsh rugby clubs close to open revolt, a public row between the WRU and Swansea Council over the accuracy of meeting notes, and political and legal pressure stretching from Swansea to the Senedd.
It is worth being fair to Ryan’s credentials. His time on the WRU’s Game Policy and Audit Committees gives him a direct understanding of how the union operates — more than Collier-Keywood himself had when appointed. His background is not purely financial either: he has played and administered the game at club level for decades, and the Welsh Exiles chairmanship requires an understanding of the broader Welsh rugby landscape. Those claiming he has no rugby knowledge are overstating the case.
But perception matters in governance, and the perception problem is real. Three decades at Cardiff Rugby, a failed bid to buy Cardiff Rugby, and a Cardiff address will make it very hard for Ryan to convince west Wales supporters that his instincts, when difficult decisions need to be made about the professional game’s future, would not naturally incline towards the east.
The WRU has not yet announced a formal process for replacing Collier-Keywood, who departs in July. Whether Ryan’s declaration translates into a formal candidacy — and who else may emerge — remains to be seen. For supporters from Swansea to Llanelli who have spent the past year fearing for their clubs’ futures, the identity of the next chair is far from an abstract governance question.
What is certain is that whoever takes the role next will inherit a Welsh rugby landscape that remains deeply unsettled. The restructuring that defined Collier-Keywood’s tenure is unfinished, the relationship between the WRU and its west Wales constituencies is strained, and the communities that back the Ospreys and the Scarlets are watching closely to see which way the wind blows.
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SCARLETS: Club confirms ‘significant’ new investment after difficult period amid financial rumours
The Scarlets have confirmed they have secured major new funding to secure the club’s future, in a statement that all but acknowledges the financial turbulence that has surrounded the region in recent weeks.
The board released a carefully worded statement on Friday that stopped short of detailing the scale of the difficulties the club has faced, but which thanked supporters for their “loyalty and patience during a difficult period” — a phrase that will resonate with fans who have watched months of uncertainty unfold.
The investment — described as “significant” — has come from within the club’s existing funding group, rather than from new external backers.
The Scarlets issued the following statement in full:
“The Scarlets Board can confirm that the club has secured significant further investment for the future stability of the club and region.
“The investment is an important vote of confidence in the Scarlets, in Llanelli, the enduring strength of our rugby heritage and in the future of professional rugby in the region and its links to sport, community and culture in west Wales.
“The club’s priority and focus continues to be about protecting its future, providing stability for players, staff, stakeholders and supporters, and creating the time needed to consider the next stage of professional rugby development in Wales properly and responsibly.
“The additional investment is provided from within our existing funding group who are committed to the future of the club and who deeply understand Scarlets rugby and its importance to Welsh rugby and west Wales.
“We would like to thank our supporters, staff, players, partners and the wider Scarlets community for their loyalty and patience during a difficult period. Their belief, loyalty and support of our club has never wavered. Neither has ours as the Scarlets Board.”
The language will not be lost on supporters. References to “stability,” a “difficult period” and the need to consider “the next stage of professional rugby development in Wales properly and responsibly” all but confirm that the rumours of serious financial difficulty were well-founded — even as the statement stops short of spelling out what that difficulty looked like.
Notably, the new investment comes from existing backers rather than fresh outside money, suggesting the club’s current funding group has stepped up to plug a gap rather than a new investor riding to the rescue.
The statement arrives against one of the most turbulent backdrops in Welsh rugby’s recent history. The WRU has been pressing ahead with plans to reduce the number of professional regions from four to three — and while the Ospreys have widely been reported as the region under threat, the union has stopped short of confirming that any final decision has been made. That ambiguity will do little to ease nerves in west Wales.
The WRU’s own governance has been in crisis in parallel. Clubs forced an extraordinary general meeting — initially set for April 13 — to hold the union’s leadership to account, in a saga that has lurched from confrontation to apparent resolution and back again. The union’s chair, Richard Collier-Keywood, announced he would stand down in July after months of pressure over the direction of the professional game.
With the regional picture still unresolved, the Scarlets’ statement that they need time to consider “the next stage of professional rugby development in Wales properly and responsibly” takes on added significance — raising the question of whether the club is positioning itself for a future that looks very different to the present.
The Scarlets declined to provide further detail on the level of investment secured, the identity of the investors, or the circumstances that made the additional funding necessary. Swansea Bay News has contacted the club for further comment.
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