Ospreys | Dirty Balls Rugby

Tag Archive: Ospreys

Duncan Jones Out for 8 Weeks With Knee Injury

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

March 1, 2012

The Ospreys loosehead, Duncan Jones, has been ruled out of action for around 8 weeks following his knee injury in the Pro 12 defeat to Ulster.

Whilst this will come as a blow to the Ospreys, they are well covered, with Ryan Bevington an exceptional prospect, and unlikely to be needed for Wales duty. After the Internationals Paul James will also be available for the Swansea based region.

Duncan Jones’ Injury – the Ospreys Comment

The prop was forced off the field early in the second half of the game, and following further investigation, Head Physio Chris Towers says that Jones faces a spell on the sidelines:

“Duncan suffered damage to the medial ligament of his knee” Towers confirmed.

“In terms of prognosis, we are looking at something around an eight week lay-off to allow him to heal and regain his strength and fitness to get back playing again.”

Tags: duncan jones, News, Ospreys, paul james, ryan bevington

Comment

Nikki Walker to Join Worcester

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 29, 2012

Nikki Walker, the big Ospreys and Scotland wing, is set to be the next player out the door at the Ospreys, as he is widely expected to be confirmed as a Worcester signing in the next couple of days.

This is being reported as part of an ‘exodus’ of Welsh players, following on from Huw Bennett joining Lyon and Tom Smith joining London Irish.

But in my mind it makes sense. Walker is a decent enough player, but really only a squad player at best. With plenty of young wings coming through, players such as Eli Walker, Tom Prydie, Hanno Dirksen and Kristian Phillips, keeping someone who is presumably very well paid, and taking up a ‘Non Welsh Qualified’ slot doesn’t make sense. Mind you I thought that a few years ago, but they still kept him on.

Nikki Walker has yet to play following a knee injury this season, and with the £3.5 million salary cap coming in things have changed on the financial front in Wales, so excess players are being cut.

As an Ospreys fan I wish him all the luck. He got some good tries for us and gave us his all. Can’t ask for more than that from a player.

Tags: News, Nikki Walker, Ospreys, Worcester;

Comment

Ospreys Appoint Gruff Rees as Backs Coach

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 29, 2012

Following on from the changes that saw Sean Holley and Scott Johnson leave the Ospreys , and Steve Tandy appointed head coach, Gruff Rees has been appointed as backs coach.

Gruff had previously worked with Tandy on a consultant basis when Tandy was learning the ropes at the Brigend Raves. He is highly thought of as a talent developer – he also leaves his roles as Wales U18 coach to take up this position.

He has recent Pro 12 experience as well, having recently returned from a secondment with Aironi, where he put into place a number of youth pathways systems, amongst other responsibilities.

He joins Steve Tandy and Jon Humphries as the senior coaching team at the Ospreys.

Ospreys Statement

Speaking about his appointment, Gruff Rees said:

“This is a really exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into it. I realise that working for a region with such high expectations, both internally and externally, comes with real pressure but I believe that along with Steve Tandy and Jonathan Humphreys I can help to move the Ospreys forward.”

“I know this group of players very well and believe that I can help them to continue improving. I’m passionate about player development and believe that the pathway in place at the Ospreys can help to ensure not only the long term sustainability of the region, but importantly, that we are able to remain competitive at the top end of the game, something that all Ospreys fans will expect.

“I’ve been away from the region for a short while and the experience I’ve gained in Italy will prove invaluable, allowing me to understand other rugby cultures and to look at a different way of working. With the experiences I’ve got at international level and my knowledge of the group of players we’ll be working with, I’m optimistic about what we can achieve here.”

Andrew Hore, Ospreys Chief Operations Officer, added:

“Gruff is a young coach who has already gained enormous experience and an outstanding reputation in the game. He is renowned for his talent ID and development work, areas in which his record speaks for itself, and he is someone with the ability to impart knowledge “on the shop floor”, so to speak.

“He’s not afraid to take on new challenges, to go outside of Wales and see how different teams look at different ways of working, not only by working in Italy but through visiting rugby and soccer organisations in the UK and beyond and seeing for himself the benefits of different working and coaching practices.

“His passion for skills development is essential if we are to change our game to play a more expansive style of rugby. Gruff will have an important role to play at the Ospreys as we look to the future.”

Joe Lydon, WRU Head of Rugby, said:

“Following discussions with the Ospreys and WRU Performance Skills Coach Gruff Rees, the WRU are happy to support both parties in releasing Gruff from his current regional and national age-grade coaching roles to take up the position of Backs Coach within the Ospreys senior squad.??

“Having recently returned from a coaching secondment with the Italian club Aironi, the WRU believe this to be a fantastic opportunity both for Gruff to further develop as a Welsh coach with the Ospreys newly defined coaching team, and the players within the Ospreys region. All within the WRU wish Gruff all the very best in his new key regional role.”

Tags: Gruff Rees, News, Ospreys, Regions, scott johnson, sean holley, steve tandy

Comment

Ospreys Team vs Aironi

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 16, 2012

Steven Tandy has named his first side, the Ospreys team vs Aironi. No major surprises really, with the welcome news that Alun-Wyn Jones is back in the starting line up, captaining the side against the Italian outfit.

This is good news for Wales – esecially with Luke Charteris out for the tournament and Bradley Davies banned for the rest of the 6 Nations after his horror tip tackle vs Ireland. The question is whether Warren Gatland will prefer to keep faith in the current second rows of Ian Evans and Ryan Jones, or parachute AWJ into the line up.

Who would you pick? Vote in the poll on our Welsh Rugby Forum

For Ospreys fans though, the England game is getting ahead of themselves, the first question is how the first game under the new regime will go. With Aironi propping up the table, and the Ospreys flying high in 2nd place, this should, on paper, be an easy match up. But how will the players react to the off field events of their coaches Sean Holley and Scott Johnson leaving?

Aironi Team vs the Ospreys

Rowland Phillips is forced to choose a brand new team because of injuries (Trevisan, Williams, Buso, Ongaro, Orquera, Sole and Robertson are out) and because of Italy’s request to rest the Internationals. Only Giulio Toniolatti, Simone Favaro and Mauro Bergamasco amongst the ten Aironi players called by Italy are cleared to play Friday.

15 Alberto Benettin; 14 Giulio Toniolatti, 13 Gilberto Pavan, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Sinoti Sinoti; 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 8 Simone Favaro, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Nicola Cattina; 5 Carlo Del Fava, 4 Joshua Furno; 3 Lorenzo Romano, 2 Roberto Santamaria (cap), 1 Matias Aguero.

16 Antonio Denti, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Filippo Ferrarini, 21 Tyson Keats, 22 Riccardo Pavan, 23 Matteo Pratichetti.

Ospreys Team vs Aironi

15 Richard Fussell, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb,
1 Ryan Bevington, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Joe Rees, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt), 5 James King, 6 Tom Smith, 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Joe Bearman

Replacements:

16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Will Taylor, 19 James Goode, 20 George Stowers, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Tom Isaacs

This from the Ospreys website

The following players were not considered because of injury:
Jonathan Thomas – Back
Will Price – ACL
Cai Griffiths – Arm
Aaron Jarvis – Rib
Richard Kelly – Wrist
Ben John – Groin
Gareth Owen – ACL
Nikki Walker – ACL

There are 16 players absent on international duty with Wales, Ireland, Wales U20, and Scotland U20.

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

“We had a good win up in Edinburgh last weekend, showing great character to tough it out, but it won’t mean anything if we don’t back it up with a good performance this Friday.

“We won’t read anything into Aironi’s league position, they’re a well coached, dangerous team capable of hurting the opposition so we know we’re going to have to play well as a team. With Ulster away next weekend, it’s important that we build some momentum, some form, and start to get some real confidence.

“We’re all looking forward to focusing on the rugby again, and hopefully starting a new era for Ospreys Rugby on a winning note.”

Tags: aironi, Alun Wyn Jones;, News, Ospreys, rabodircet pro12, steve tandy

Comment

Steve Tandy New Head Coach at the Ospreys

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 15, 2012

The Ospreys have confirmed that Steve Tandy is the new head coach at the Ospreys, replacing Sean Holley who has left with immediate effect.

Talk about this, and all other Welsh Rugby and Ospreys developments, on our Welsh Rugby Forum

Whilst the statement makes no mention as to whether this is a permanent, but rumors have persisted since last night that he would be getting a 3 year contract

He will be assisted by Jonathan Humphries, and will have a further back room team that is yet to be announced.

Whilst this is far from the big name that Ospreys fans will be wanting, it is worth remembering that Scott Johnson was there as ‘Director of Coaching’, and we could well yet see a name being brought in above him into that role. Numerous names have been bandied around, but no rumor seems to have any real substance behind it as yet.

Statements on Steve Tandy as Ospreys Head Coach

This is an excellent opportunity for me and I’m really excited about the challenges ahead. Clearly there’s an air of expectation on whoever is in charge at the Ospreys, but having been here since the very beginning I know what to expect.

“The Ospreys are my home region and I was lucky enough to be able to wear the shirt on 102 occasions. When I was still playing I worked hard to develop as a coach and I’ve been fortunate to be at a region that values coach development as it’s allowed me to get some fantastic experience within the Ospreys and at Bridgend.

“I enjoyed taking charge of the team during the LV= Cup and I’m confident in my ability to be able to make a success of this opportunity. It’s a tough job, but I share the Ospreys ambitions and want to be able to play my part in us achieving those ambitions.

“Initially, my focus will be on attempting to finish this season on a high. We are in a good position in the PRO12 with eight games to go, and the target is for us to achieve a home semi-final. We want to maintain both our position as the leading Welsh region and our proud record in the competition, which I was fortunate enough to win three times as a player. I know I’ve got the support of the players, staff and directors at the Ospreys and hope that the fans will also be behind me, starting on Friday night.”

Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer, Ospreys Rugby commented:

“We are delighted to be able to confirm Steve’s appointment as Head Coach. He is a true stalwart of the region having served us so well as a player, and is a straight talker and natural leader who has already enjoyed success as an age-grade and club coach.

“As a business, we’ve had the foresight to invest heavily in development structures in order to make us more sustainable, and Steve has benefited from the coaching pathway we’ve put in place at the region, working his way through the system. He is still young, but sometimes as is the case with players, if they’ve got the ability then you have to give them the opportunity.

“He’s a forward thinker who has his own ideas about how to do things. I know he is excited about the future for the Ospreys, and as a business, we share that excitement. We believe he will be a success in this role, not only helping to take the Ospreys onto another level, but to help with the continued development of other coaches in the region.

“This is an exciting time for Steve, and for the Ospreys, and with the push for the PRO12 semi-finals over the coming weeks, we have everything to play for.”

Following Steve’s appointment he will relinquish his duties at Bridgend, where Ravens flanker and current WRU/Ospreys Regional Community Manager,Ben Rose,will step up as Interim Head Coach until the end of the season, assisted by Backs Coach Craig Warlow and Forwards Coach, Richard Lancaster.

Tags: Headline, john humphries, News, Ospreys, Regions, scott johnson, sean holley, steve tandy

Comment

Scott Johnson Leaves the Ospreys With Immediate Effect

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 15, 2012

Seems something of a clear out is happening at the Ospreys. Hot on the heels of the announcement that Sean Holley was leaving the Ospreys with immediate effect, we have the news that Scott Johnson has also left today.

He was already due to be joining up with Scotland as a skills coach at the end of the season, but it seems the decision has been made to move his departure from the Liberty stadium forward. This leaves just John Humphries of the regular coaches left. Reports suggest Steve Tandy, currently in charge at Bridgend, will make the step up.

This is less expected than Holley leaving, and leaves many of us wondering what plans are in place at the Ospreys. surely they don’t give a clean sweep like this unless they know exactly what they are doing? Then again this is the Ospreys board, so maybe we expect too much.

Keep an eye on the blog, we’ll bring you more news as we get it. Keep an eye on our Welsh Rugby Forum for breaking news

Scott Johnson Leaving the Ospreys – Statements

“After talking through the issues facing the business with the Board, we’ve come to a decision that is for the good of the organisation as a whole, which means that I’ll be giving up my post with immediate effect.

“I was brought in to a job for the Ospreys, with a particular a remit to help set-up systems that would enable us to bring through home grown talent, coaches and players, and we agree that I’m leaving an organisation that is now better equipped to deal with the challenging times that lie ahead for all the Welsh regions.

“When I informed the Board in December that I wouldn’t be renewing my contract, I made the offer to stand down at that time but they felt that it would be better for the organisation if I remained in office to help provide some stability during what was inevitably going to something of a transitional period.

“Since then we’ve been in constant dialogue and six weeks down the line, we’ve agreed that the time is right for me to move on so we’ve shaken hands and I’m walking away early from the remainder of my contract.

“I’ll leave with only happy memories from my time with the Ospreys and I’ve made some great mates for life among the business. For me personally, the next few months will allow me to head back to Australia to catch up with my family and to get over the illness that I’ve suffered with over the last two years, before taking up the post with Scotland at the end of the season.”

Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys, added:

“After extensive discussions, Scott has offered to step down from his post now rather than at the end of the season, and we have agreed to release him from the remaining terms of his contract. It was a gesture that he has made for the good of the Ospreys business and is typical of the way he has continuously put the region first during his three years as Director of Coaching.

“He will be greatly missed by everybody at the Ospreys, but the time is right for a fresh start, and by agreeing to move on now, it means that both the business and Scott can start to look forward to the future.

“Scott leaves a positive legacy behind, having been influential in putting in place new player and coach development structures while also having to deal with reducing the wage bill for the long-term good of the business, which will help ensure the long term sustainability of Ospreys Rugby.”

Tags: Headline, News, Ospreys, Regions, scott johnson, sean holley, steve tandy

Comment

Sean Holley Leaves the Ospreys

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 15, 2012

We can confirm that Sean Holley has left the Ospreys with immediate effect. Statements from Mike Cuddy and Sean Holley have stated that they have agreed a settlement, and that both parties feel the need to ‘freshen things up’.

This is hot on heels of rumors yesterday that Sean was about to be gone, with the Ospreys seeking to remove him from his two and a half year contract. Whilst many fans have been hoping for this for quite some time, it is not yet known what the ‘yipping point’ was. Whether it was underachievement of the region, or whether rumors of the Ospreys having secured a new head coach/Director of Rugby are true, and they or Sean didn’t want to work together.

At the moment the only definitive information we have to work with are the statements by Cuddy and Sean Holley, below, which give no real indication as to what this change of heart around. Just a month or so ago it looked likely that Sean Holley would be in charge after Scott Johnson left to join Scotland.

Whilst this blog has never been a fan of Holley, we certainly wish him all the best in future roles.

The Statements About Sean Holley Leaving the Ospreys

Speaking today, Ospreys Managing Director Mike Cuddy, said:

“Sean has been an excellent servant to the region over the last nine years and can be justifiably proud of all he has achieved with the Ospreys. As part of an ambitious organisation, he has helped to take the Ospreys to silverware, with three Celtic League titles, and the Anglo-Welsh Cup, as well as reaching the three Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

“In addition, he has also played a key role in the development of so many young players coming through the ranks at the region. The Ospreys lead the way in Wales in terms of players produced for the national set-up since the inception of regional rugby, and also, in terms of players representing their home region in ERC competition. Sean has played a considerable part in those achievements, helping us towards our goal of creating a sustainable business.

“Professional sport, and top level rugby in particular, is a fast moving and ever changing environment, and after nine years in office we feel that the time is now right, particularly with Scott also moving on, to freshen things up and look at alternative options. Sean is in agreement with us that in order to move forward professionally, he too is now in a position where he needs a new challenge, and by moving on with immediate effect, it allows both him and the Ospreys to draw a clear line under the past and move forward with a fresh impetus.

“Sean will always be welcome at the Ospreys and we hope that he doesn’t become a stranger. The region would have been a far worse place had he not spent the last nine years here making history.

Sean Holley commented:

“The Ospreys will always be my home region. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride but I can honestly say I have thrived on it, put my heart and soul into it and tried to embrace it. I could not have survived the constant expectation and pressure that comes with the job without the support of my family and friends, many of our true supporters, and in particular the team management and the players.

“There are too many individuals to mention but I have been very fortunate to work with Welsh internationals, British Lions, Springbok and All Black legends of the game. The respect and response I have had from such players and coaches has been all I have needed to give me the drive and confidence to succeed. Lots of young Welsh players have passed through my tenure to the international ranks and I’m very proud of that as well as the trophies we have won and the special nights at the Liberty in particular. We’ve been the most successful Welsh region in so many disciplines through the first nine years and although regional rugby is going through tough, transitional times I feel I am leaving the rugby department in good shape with excellent young coaches and players.

“It’s going to be a very different way of life and a difficult one at first. I guess I’ve become part of the furniture! However that has also become part of the issue and I’ve done a lot of on field coaching as well as off-field work during this job. I have a young family to consider so it’s time I took a bit of a break from it and recharge myself.

“I am still only 41 and so I feel I’ve got a lot offer. I have learned a lot in my time here and achieved a lot too. I am now looking forward to exploring some new challenges and opportunities that have been presented to me and to enjoying the next part of my career.”

Mike Cuddy added:

“Sean remains on of the brightest young Welsh coaches operating within professional rugby. He has developed significantly in this environment, which is geared towards coach development. As a local boy he has taken great pride in representing his home region and can leave the organisation satisfied that he has done an outstanding job.

“We have no doubt that whatever challenge he moves on to, Sean will continue to thrive and enjoy great success, and we offer him our very best wishes for the future.”

Tags: Headline, mike cuddy, News, Ospreys, Rants, Regions, sean holley

Comment

Sean Holley to Leave the Ospreys?

Filed Under: News by Dirty Balls — Leave a comment

February 14, 2012

Reports on both the BBC and the South Wales Evening Post suggest that Sean Holley is on his way from the Ospreys, despite having 2 and a half years left on his contract.

There seems to be some confusion as to when, the BBC says the end of the season, whiulst the Evening Post states that lawyers are negotiating compensation with a view to him being removed immediately. This is quite in contrast to news a few weeks back that suggested the Ospreys could be looking at promoting him when Scott Johnson joins Scotland at the end of the season.

Certainly Holley had said he was interested in taking the role, but was also happy to stay in his present position.

For many fans though this is news that will be treated as a valentines day present. Holley has come under considerable flack (from myself included) for failing to get what was once a star studded Ospreys side to fire. Many felt he should have left when Lynn Jones was also moved on from the head coaching role.

Steve Tandy is rumored to be taking his role for the remainder of the season, with a number of names already starting to be linked with the position come summer.

But nothing has been confirmed by the Ospreys, who are refusing to comment on the story, so there could yet be some significant alterations to this as time goes on. We’ll let you know more as it becomes available. If you want to stay up to date though, our forum will likely to be chatting about any news as soon as it breaks, as it was with this news (thanks to Josh G of the forums for bringing it to our attention first).

So keep an eye on our Welsh Rugby Forum for any updates