Tommy Bowe leaves Swansea...!

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/6350.php

Williams, Walker & Bowe leaves a big hole for youngsters to fill next season. A sign of the times though for the Regions I guess.

Andrew Hore added:

"We realise that in continuing to develop homegrown talent that we will be without Welsh players for the international periods, However, it doesn't make commercial sense to be also losing our NWQ players at the same time, when these players should be the constant in the squad throughout the season
------------------------------------------------------
That's just stating the obvious.

Seems sensible, Tommy is class, but again with Eli Walker, Kristian Phillips, Hanno Dirksen, Tom Prydie and Ross Jones needing game time to develop, it's time for the likes of Tommy, Niki Walker and Shane to leave the region.

Cymroglan wrote:Andrew Hore added:

"We realise that in continuing to develop homegrown talent that we will be without Welsh players for the international periods, However, it doesn't make commercial sense to be also losing our NWQ players at the same time, when these players should be the constant in the squad throughout the season
------------------------------------------------------
That's just stating the obvious.

He's right of course, but it took him long enough to realise.

I expected him to go last summer to be honest. I do think at times his form wasn't great at the tail end of last season.

Cari wrote:

Thanks Notch - posted a message for you in the pub.

Like I said on the Ulster thread, I'm happy for him. Really I am, and it's good news he's signed for three years. But I'm not going to lie to you, I'll be in bits at his last O's game.

I was in man bits at his last Ulster game. Loads of players leaving, including him. A bleak future seemed inevitable. It was a very bitter day for Ulster Rugby. The wheel turns. There'll be other big stars come through at the Ospreys.

I think you're right notch - it's all swings and roundabouts...things happen for a reason...etc etc...

But to quote Bono:

"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrgh oooooooooooooooooooooooooo"

(Translation: I'm in an emotional world of pain).

Has anyone read T's statement in that O's news? That's enough to make me blub right there!

Come on now Cari you can't blame the lad for going somewhere where he'll win big trophies.......

Rodders I don't blame him at all...but let me grieve for jebus sake!!!

I'm wearing black underwear...

Aw Cari you'll love it in Belfast ...they made the Titanic there you know?...

Well I hope they develop their rugby teams better than they build cruise liners over there Rodders

It was grand when it left Belfast!

MrsP wrote:It was grand when it left Belfast!

Well thankfully your players aren't like the Titanic...I think Tommy vastly improved at the O's

He was poor this season when there were rumours of his return. There is a definite pattern there.......

He fair started scoring tries when he was negotiating that huge IRFU contract anyways!.....

Thomond wrote:He was poor this season when there were rumours of his return. There is a definite pattern there.......

If there's any link there at all, I'd say it was stress. Must be annoying for players to have to put up with that crap as well as the pressure of playing. I noticed he hardly bothered posting online anywhere which is unusual for him, but if you see some of the messages he kept getting from so-called fans I can't say I blame him, and I would understand why he's stressed a bit.

roddersm wrote:He fair started scoring tries when he was negotiating that huge IRFU contract anyways!.....

Yeah I noticed that too, good time to start scoring, just when are negotiating a 3 year deal!

what is based on who you know is definately leaving your strongest XV for next year?

15 Ross Jones / Barrie Davies / Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen / Tom Prydie
13 Andrew Bishop / Gareth Owen
12 Ashley Beck / Stefan Watermeyer
11 Eli Walker / Luke Morgan
10 Dan Biggar / Matthew Morgan / Sam Davies
9 Rhys Webb / Kahn Fotuali'i / Tom Habberfield
8 Ryan Jones / George Stowers
7 Justin Tipuric / Sam Lewis
6 Jonathan Thomas / Morgan Allen
5 Alun Wyn-Jones / James King
4 Ian Evans / Ian Gough
3 Adam Jones / Jo Rees
2 Richard Hibbard / Mefin Davies / Scott Baldwin
1 Ryan Bevington / Paul James / Duncan Jones


Players leaving:
Shane Williams - retired
Niki Walker - Worcester
Tommy Bowe - Ulster
Huw Bennett - Lyon
Tom Smith - London Irish

Others:
Chauncey O'Toole - confirmed on Twitter he has been told his contract wil not be renewed.
James Goode - on loan at Newcastle, permanent?
Tom Prydie - on loan at Wasps, permanent?
Cai Griffiths - Ospreys won't pay him £180k a season, he won't accept less than he is currently getting. Rumoured to Scarlets.
Sonny Parker - rumoured to be retireing to concentrate on his restraunt business.

roddersm wrote:He fair started scoring tries when he was negotiating that huge IRFU contract anyways!.....

That is a very good point.

Cymroglan wrote:Andrew Hore added:

"We realise that in continuing to develop homegrown talent that we will be without Welsh players for the international periods, However, it doesn't make commercial sense to be also losing our NWQ players at the same time, when these players should be the constant in the squad throughout the season
------------------------------------------------------
That's just stating the obvious.

Isn't that what Andrew Hore gets paid to do?

A transcript of his rugby knowledge wouldn't fill the back of a stamp. It's all about the soundbites.

From what Iv'e been told about last nights Q&A session in the Ospreys region, the Ospreys won't make the £3.5 million salary cap next season, so have asked for special dispensation to break it.

AlynDavies wrote:Cai Griffiths - Ospreys won't pay him £180k a season, he won't accept less than he is currently getting. Rumoured to Scarlets

Cai Griffiths is on £180k? I knew tightheads are generally the best paid players but I thought that was the good ones. Or has he got a lot better since I left Swansea? [2008]

HammerofThunor wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:Cai Griffiths - Ospreys won't pay him £180k a season, he won't accept less than he is currently getting. Rumoured to Scarlets

Cai Griffiths is on £180k? I knew tightheads are generally the best paid players but I thought that was the good ones. Or has he got a lot better since I left Swansea? [2008]

From what I have read, he was regarded as the next Adam Jones and all the regions were vying for his signature 3 years ago, however he hasn't really built on that promise, and his performance in the Lv Cup against the Dragons where he was expected to act as a senior players has pretty much sealed his fate with the Ospreys. He was awful.

The rumour is Rhys Thomas will be forced to retire, and Deacon Manu is apparently talking to the Dragons, so the Scarlets will need a tight head for next season.

really don't want cai griffiths taking up 180k of our players salary! know garin jenkins has done wonders to our forward play this season. but he would really need to be a miracle worker to turn cai into a 180k front rower. saying that wouldn't mind cai griffiths at the scarlets but at the right price.

What's the deal now with Prydie, always looked a good prospect, I know he had a serious injury, he could certainly become a very good FB or obviously winger, he's big, strong and has good skills. Luke Morgan has looked good for the u20's, i'd like to see him get some game time also.

martyr_94 wrote:What's the deal now with Prydie, always looked a good prospect, I know he had a serious injury, he could certainly become a very good FB or obviously winger, he's big, strong and has good skills. Luke Morgan has looked good for the u20's, i'd like to see him get some game time also.

He's playing for the Wales 7's team and Swansea rfc at the moment. The massive problem the Ospreys have is they have the 2 Lions wingers in Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe, as well as Scottish International Nikki Walker.

All 3 are leaving so this opens up spaces for Prydie, Ross Jones, Kristian Phillips, Luke Morgan, and Eli Walker next season.
People see them leaving as a major issue but most Ospreys fans are fairly happy these new kids are being given a chance, anyone who has watched the Ospreys, Bridgend and Swansea this season will tell you, these 5 guys could be just as good as the 3 who are leaving.

AlynDavies wrote:

martyr_94 wrote:What's the deal now with Prydie, always looked a good prospect, I know he had a serious injury, he could certainly become a very good FB or obviously winger, he's big, strong and has good skills. Luke Morgan has looked good for the u20's, i'd like to see him get some game time also.

He's playing for the Wales 7's team and Swansea rfc at the moment. The massive problem the Ospreys have is they have the 2 Lions wingers in Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe, as well as Scottish International Nikki Walker.

All 3 are leaving so this opens up spaces for Prydie, Ross Jones, Kristian Phillips, Luke Morgan, and Eli Walker next season.
People see them leaving as a major issue but most Ospreys fans are fairly happy these new kids are being given a chance, anyone who has watched the Ospreys, Bridgend and Swansea this season will tell you, these 5 guys could be just as good as the 3 who are leaving.

Completely agree, Morgan, Walker and Dirksen the stand out performers for me this season, no shortage of quality there by the looks of things. I really rate Prydie from what i've seen, and I would look to develop him as a full back, he has great potential to be a quality FB like I said. Thanks for the update

Prydie is at Wasps on loan until the end of the season. He's covering for Varndell & Wade who are both out until next season.

So big shoes to fill! Unfortunately he can't play for us in LV games coming up.

and most importantly the pack looks strong when not decimated by international commitments...

manu in talks with dragons...is this rumour or fact?

Thats a very good signing for Ulster. Have any details been released on just how much he cost?

He will cost a lot - one of the highest players in Ireland. Fortunately Dublin are picking up most of the tab

Well, whatever he costs, it is a very good signing for Ulster and a signing that will help them no end in the next HEC campaign.

Tommy is priceless!

GavinDragon wrote:and most importantly the pack looks strong when not decimated by international commitments...
manu in talks with dragons...is this rumour or fact?

I've read that on Scarlet Fever and Dragged up, so I would assume there is at least contact between the Dragons and Manu.

geoff998rugby wrote:He will cost a lot - one of the highest players in Ireland. Fortunately Dublin are picking up most of the tab

The article states he is on £1 million over 3 years which I assume Tommy has been offered the same deal as he was on at the Ospreys, which was £350k a season.

£350,000 x 3 (years) = £1,050,000