Ospreys are poised to enter the transfer market (Capture former all black)

by pioden gorllewin Tue 27 Nov 2012 - 9:08

First topic message reminder :

THE Ospreys are poised to enter the transfer market after being hit again by their Wales injury curse.

Aaron Jarvis joined the region's never-ending autumn casualty list when he suffered what Warren Gatland reported "looks like a serious knee injury" in the national team's 33-10 defeat by New Zealand.

And with Ryan Jones picking up an eye injury, the Pro12 champions have now seen six players hurt while on national service over the past three weeks, with Alun Wyn Jones, Richard Hibbard, Dan Biggar and Ian Evans crocked at various points.

The situation has become particularly desperate in the front row, where Adam Jones is also sidelined, and the Ospreys have their Heineken Cup double-header against Toulouse hurtling towards them.

Owen Williams played at No. 3 against Edinburgh last Friday, but he has been figuring largely for Bridgend in the Premiership this year and even his biggest admirers might feel it is a big jump from the ranks of the semi-pros to facing Gurthro Steenkamp, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Census Johnston and the rest of Toulouse's heavy-duty front-row brigade.

Moldovan Dimitri Arhip is expected in Wales any day, but with Dan Suter and Nicky Thomas set to be away on Wales Under-20s duty during the Six Nations, the Ospreys believe they have to open their cheque book.

They are only allowed to bring in one extra player at this point in the Heineken Cup.

And a problem they could face is that agents will recognise how desperate they are and do all they can to squeeze extra cash out of them.

One name that has been mentioned is Campbell Johnstone who nearly signed for the Scarlets this summer. The ex All Black failed a medical with the Scarlets and was released by T14 team Biarritz. He is currently playing for Tasman in NewZealand.

by maestegmafia Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 9:41

Andy Lloyd said wrote:"The arrival of Campbell and Cai gives us some much needed options at tight-head given the injuries we've suffered and the ongoing commitments we have to the national set-up at senior and age-grade level.

"Campbell will go straight into our ERC squad on his arrival, and although Cai is ineligible for the Heineken Cup having played in the Amlin Cup this season he will have a big part to play in our PRO12 defence, particularly during the Six Nations period when in addition to our senior national commitments we will also lose two tightheads to the U20 squad.

"We remain entirely committed to development from within and don't take any decision to look outside the group for injury cover lightly. However, we have a responsibility to our supporters, management and directors to remain competitive, as well as to our players for their personal welfare. Given the complete lack of any professional experience in our remaining options there is quite simply no way we could go the rest of the season without bringing in additional cover.

"This autumn we have seen seven front five players from this region involved with the senior national squad, a contribution that we are justifiably proud of. However, the reality is that with so many players from one region featuring there can be a heavy price to pay in terms of injuries to the like of Aaron, Richard Hibbard and Alun Wyn Jones as well as the need to provide squad cover, both during the international period and when players return to the region unfit to play."

by Smirnoffpriest Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 12:51

It's good that they've made some signings but a big risk signing Campbell Johnson when you consider he's already failed a fitness test at the Scarlets, and especially as he's getting on - he could well get injured in his 1st game - or not be fit enough to play competitively and then the Ospreys will really be up a creek without a paddle.

by maestegmafia Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 13:01

Smirnoffpriest wrote:It's good that they've made some signings but a big risk signing Campbell Johnson when you consider he's already failed a fitness test at the Scarlets, and especially as he's getting on - he could well get injured in his 1st game - or not be fit enough to play competitively and then the Ospreys will really be up a creek without a paddle.

We don't really have many options mate.

by Smirnoffpriest Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 13:12

True true - I just hope it doesn't blow up in their faces!

When is Adam back anyway?

by maestegmafia Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 13:27

Christmas hopefully according to a physio family friend we saw at the weekend.

by pioden gorllewin Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 13:45

out of interest does the WRU provide any compensation to the regions when the players return injured? help pay towards johnson, due to jarvis injury while with wales?

by Smirnoffpriest Tue 4 Dec 2012 - 14:04

I think that's all covered in the participation agreement unfortunately...

by thespreys Thu 6 Dec 2012 - 13:04

ADAM JONES will be available for the Boxing Day clash with the Scarlets.He has been training very well up in the Abercrave Inn.

by Smirnoffpriest Thu 6 Dec 2012 - 13:45

Can't he be available the day AFTER the Scarlets game? Crying or Very sad

I'd quite fancy playing against Cai Griff and seeing what we missed ... Whistle

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 6 Dec 2012 - 14:21

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Can't he be available the day AFTER the Scarlets game?

I'd quite fancy playing against Cai Griff and seeing what we missed ...

Or even this Cambell Johnston too

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