Whom will the ospreys sign for next season?

First topic message reminder :

Anyone have any thoughts,hopes for incoming players?.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think Baker is the player with greater potential, but to be less reliant on Baker is good for us.

Baker has huge potential and if he can keep Delve out of the side then it will mean he is reaching that potential.  I think what he will/can learn from him in terms of leadership will be invaluable to him.  I wonder what terms Delve has signed as, whether he has signed knowing Baker will be first choice etc etc.

I am sure Delve is happy to try and earn his place as much as any other new recruit.

I am just glad to see another talented Welshman playing regional rugby. It can only benefit the team as a whole.

It would be great to see him start immediately for us, maybe get some recognition before the RWC...!

I have always been a huge fan and could never quite figure out why he never had more caps and a good run in the Welsh side but great signing for the Os.

Most likely because he didn't take a contract in Wales and that he buggered off around the world for the last five years

maestegmafia wrote:Most likely because he didn't take a contract in Wales and that he buggered off around the world for the last five years

Maes,

He was only ever offered a contract by the Blues prior to his move to Australia. He was never offered one prior to signing for Bath as they picked him up at quite a young age and he was never offered one before his move to Gloucester.

Probably because he wasn't good enough. Never seen why some fans obsess over him.

It showed when a lot of welsh people raved about him and when it came to it, he wasn't up to it. There's a reason why he went to Siapan for both. Delve money and the fact he wasn't good enough to displace any starting 8. Still isn't either. Handy back up for Ospreys though, I guess?

Unfortunately for me living the wrong side of the bridge I got to see a hell of a lot him during his Bath and Gloucester days and IMO he was more than good enough to make it but I think he was one of those players who like Nicky Robinson and until recently Biggar, who only ever really got to play in the Friday night game in a considerably weaker side.

He certainly wasn't a yes a man which may have explained some things but all that said he has been one of those players who definitely split opinion on whether he was or wasn't good enough, for me he was and his leadership skills will be a great asset to the Os and his experience will hopefully help further develop Dan Baker.

Aye but he's been playing in a reasonably uncompetitive league in Japan and I imagine his fitness and sharpness will have dropped.

I agree he was a good player not so good that we missed a trick by not capping him more often.

Anyhow, a good addition to the squad.

If he gets fit and stays away from team Wales, which is likely, he's a good candidate for captain. That's assuming he can displace Ardron and some others from the team. With Lewis off it seems Ospreys don't really have a back-up 7, unless they're moulding King into a 6/7 type player?

I think we did but again I know he splits opinion, I also think he will challenge Baker regularly as first choice No8 which can only be a good thing for Baker.

maestegmafia wrote:Aye but he's been playing in a reasonably uncompetitive league in Japan and I imagine his fitness and sharpness will have dropped.

Certainly wasn't the case for du Preez or Kaino. Du Preez was holding the 9 shirt whilst playing in Japan at one stage. Delve's team mate Nemani Nadolo has made quite the impact at the Crusaders.

The combination of a shorter season and top quality medical setups mean that the players in Japan are normally in prime fitness. Match sharpness should be picked up through pre season.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Aye but he's been playing in a reasonably uncompetitive league in Japan and I imagine his fitness and sharpness will have dropped.

Certainly wasn't the case for du Preez or Kaino. Du Preez was holding the 9 shirt whilst playing in Japan at one stage. Delve's team mate Nemani Nadolo has made quite the impact at the Crusaders.

The combination of a shorter season and top quality medical setups mean that the players in Japan are normally in prime fitness. Match sharpness should be picked up through pre season.

Sam, entirely agree with you, I've said it before and no doubt will have to say it again, we IIRC have only signed one player from Japanese rugby, and in the eyes of many whether they be staff, players or supporters, is if you considered true legends of Ospreys rugby, not only for his playing ability, but for his ethical stance and that would be Filo Tiatia, if Delve is half the player or person that Filo was, we'll have a very good acquisition.

Tiatia was one of those overseas players that really was a huge success similar to Rush at the Blues. He set his standards high and others tried to match them which can only be a good thing.

The elements that Delve will bring such as leadership and commitment will be invaluable to an up and coming player like Baker and if he can learn off Delve as well as having his position challenged at No then that can only be good for Baker, The Os and Wales.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Tiatia was one of those overseas players that really was a huge success similar to Rush at the Blues.  He set his standards high and others tried to match them which can only be a good thing.

The elements that Delve will bring such as leadership and commitment will be invaluable to an up and coming player like Baker and if he can learn off Delve as well as having his position challenged at No then that can only be good for Baker, The Os and Wales.

Yes BW, it is no coincidence that Delve has captained a few teams under different coaches and he will help Baker, I'm not sure how old he is, but part of the coaches input at his signing on the press release quoted how he would help with bringing on players, but he would expect him to challenge for first team duty, hopefully he'll be a very good signing.

wayne wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Tiatia was one of those overseas players that really was a huge success similar to Rush at the Blues.  He set his standards high and others tried to match them which can only be a good thing.

The elements that Delve will bring such as leadership and commitment will be invaluable to an up and coming player like Baker and if he can learn off Delve as well as having his position challenged at No then that can only be good for Baker, The Os and Wales.

Yes BW, it is no coincidence that Delve has captained a few teams under different coaches and he will help Baker, I'm not sure how old he is, but part of the coaches input at his signing on the press release quoted how he would help with bringing on players, but he would expect him to challenge for first team duty, hopefully he'll be a very good signing.

Delve is 32 - so a hopefully few seasons yet. I think it's a good signing as Delve is a proven leader, not just a good back row.

Extended Dmitri Arhip's contract for another 3 years, until summer of 2018, very good news, need to sign another T/H and 7 forward wise we will be fine.

The Ospreys will have a pretty decent pack next season, with Paul James and Gareth Delve being added to it.

LordDowlais wrote:The Ospreys will have a pretty decent pack next season, with Paul James and Gareth Delve being added to it.

Lord, the talk down with us is that we are trying to convert James King to an open side, personally I don't think he is quick enough, for the time Tipuric is with TW, we need a specialist 7, but as for the rest yes it is a decent squad as long as there are not too many injuries.

Converting King to an openside may not be a bad idea. Especially as for the majority of the season, like you say Tips will be first choice. That then means King will get game time at openside during the international windows (unless he is called up), and can then become a forwards version of Hook on the bench, able to slot in anywhere from 4-8. Which would be very useful for the Ospreys.

He might even become the next Lewis Evans eh Wayne? Jack of all trades and not good enough for international rugby .

Is the Doc going to sign for us ? The fail seems to think so.

wayne wrote:Is the Doc going to sign for us ? The fail seems to  think so.

Mischief makers.
Don't tell me. The Fail has an article about the top 10 teams the Doc may or may not join?

Matthew Dwyer has re-signed

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/32201156

maestegmafia wrote:Matthew Dwyer has re-signed

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/32201156

Very funny fella Maes, you need those sort around the environment, Matt's Dwyary a good addition to the website.

I was listening on the radio on the way into work this morning and they were saying that Jamie Roberts was more or less being forced into deciding between Ospreys and Blues, so it looks as though any move to the English league is out. I would say Blues need him the most, but he would be wasted at that joke of a region. Until they can sort out their off field issues then I would not reccomend any player touching them with a barge pole. But at the same time I would not want to see him at Ospreys either, they have too many players in that position.

LordDowlais wrote:I was listening on the radio on the way into work this morning and they were saying that Jamie Roberts was more or less being forced into deciding between Ospreys and Blues, so it looks as though any move to the English league is out. I would say Blues need him the most, but he would be wasted at that joke of a region. Until they can sort out their off field issues then I would not reccomend any player touching them with a barge pole. But at the same time I would not want to see him at Ospreys either, they have too many players in that position.

That'll be the day.

I would have thought he was a blues man through and through...?

With Castres saying Richie Gray will be sold to the highest bidder when/if they get relegated, I could think of nowhere else I would rather see him than at Ospreys and learn a thing or 2 from AWJ.

However I don't really know if the O's would have the money or appetite for another lock, especially one who can't play for Wales.

He would be a very welcome addition but I would have thought the weegies would be on his hit list?

Northampton would probably go for Gray. He wouldn't be anywhere near a Welsh team, we don't have the money to lure him in. I think Welsh teams are going to concentrate on developing U20 locks for the next couple of years.

I would have thought Gray would be one of the last players we would attempt to sign with AWJ, Steenkamp, Bernardo and Peers, the first squad players, Ardron and King in case of injuries and then the 3 youngsters Thornton U20 captain his team mate Beard and Rhodri Hughes a year or two older, being prepared for the future, we are well stocked in the 2nd row department.

The Saint wrote:Northampton would probably go for Gray. He wouldn't be anywhere near a Welsh team, we don't have the money to lure him in. I think Welsh teams are going to concentrate on developing U20 locks for the next couple of years.

The work shy lock who is weak in the tight. Can't imagine Saints will particularly interested after his disastrous spell at Sale. Unless he is willing to take a pay cut. He might work well at Quins where his skill set in the loose will suit the game plan.

wayne wrote:I would have thought Gray would be one of the last players we would attempt to sign with AWJ, Steenkamp, Bernardo and Peers, the first squad players, Ardron and King in case of injuries and then the 3 youngsters Thornton U20 captain his team mate Beard and Rhodri Hughes a year or two older, being prepared for the future, we are well stocked in the 2nd row department.

That's a good list of locks alright, except for Peers and Hughes who are both soft as sh*t - locks are meant to be the hardest players on the pitch and these guys really don't fit the bill. Thornton and Beard look like big, tough lads who also look as if they could make the cut.

According to the Rugby Paper, we've signed a Tongan Tight head from NZ Super 15 team the Highlanders named Maafu Fia, does anybody know anything about him, the problem to me is that he will not be available during the WC, until Tonga get knocked out, we do need another tight head, but how good is he?

He hasn't been capped yet so might not make the squad?

dragon4life wrote:He hasn't been capped yet so might not make the squad?

Thanks for that, but knowing our luck he soon will be

Looks like a big ball carrier, haven't seen him scrummage but has to be decent if starting for Highlanders regularly

Along with the two SA locks, Ospreys pack is starting to look very good. Surely Arhip is good enough cover if this new guy is away with Tonga? As is Jarivs, yet he could be in the RWC squad because we're short of options...

Weren't Ospreys chasing Francis?

Sorry TheSpreys - I had to change the grammatical error in the subject line.

It was killing both me and Lynne Truss. I am a sad, sad man.

Yes, it's a bit keen/sad/early, but I have time to do this one now:
https://www.606v2.com/t58736-ospreys-v-glasgow-warriors-8-may

Bringest thou, thy finest banter trousers.

The kettle is on.

Wayne, you were slow again to tell us about this:-

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_47232,00.html

Morgan Allen is off to Scarlets. ScarletSpiderman, are you happy with this deal ?

LordDowlais wrote:Wayne, you were slow again to tell us about this:-

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_47232,00.html

Morgan Allen is off to Scarlets. ScarletSpiderman, are you happy with this deal ?

Am I right in saying that the Scarlets have now signed Morgan Allen at 8, the Cross Keys no.8 prospect (forgot his name), and also have Wales hopeful Rory Pitman at no.8. I agree with some strength in depth but Scarlets appear to be stockpiling all the no.8's in Wales!

Griff wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Wayne, you were slow again to tell us about this:-

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_47232,00.html

Morgan Allen is off to Scarlets. ScarletSpiderman, are you happy with this deal ?

Am I right in saying that the Scarlets have now signed Morgan Allen at 8, the Cross Keys no.8 prospect (forgot his name), and also have Wales hopeful Rory Pitman at no.8.  I agree with some strength in depth but Scarlets appear to be stockpiling all the no.8's in Wales!

Jack Condy. I also believe that Pitman is meant to be playing elsewhere next season, so that will leave us with Allen and Condy as proper No.8s with Barclay (and gog I think, unless he goes too) as cover. That is not really stockpiling.

I am not too sure about either of the signings to be honest, but time will tell.

LordDowlais wrote:Wayne, you were slow again to tell us about this:-

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_47232,00.html

Morgan Allen is off to Scarlets. ScarletSpiderman, are you happy with this deal ?

Lord, I should be the one with senility problems (I'm 30 years older than you), I told you that Morgan Allen had signed for the Scarlets weeks before, in this very topic, in MARCH, yet it is only now being announced.

wayne wrote:Lord, I should be the one with senility problems (I'm 30 years older than you), I told you that Morgan Allen had signed for the Scarlets weeks before, in this very topic, in MARCH, yet it is only now being announced.

I should have known you would be the first with Ospreys news wayne.

LordDowlais wrote:

wayne wrote:Lord, I should be the one with senility problems (I'm 30 years older than you), I told you that Morgan Allen had signed for the Scarlets weeks before, in this very topic, in MARCH, yet it is only now being announced.

I should have known you would be the first with Ospreys news wayne.

Dim Problemau Lord

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Griff wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Wayne, you were slow again to tell us about this:-

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_47232,00.html

Morgan Allen is off to Scarlets. ScarletSpiderman, are you happy with this deal ?

Am I right in saying that the Scarlets have now signed Morgan Allen at 8, the Cross Keys no.8 prospect (forgot his name), and also have Wales hopeful Rory Pitman at no.8.  I agree with some strength in depth but Scarlets appear to be stockpiling all the no.8's in Wales!

Jack Condy.  I also believe that Pitman is meant to be playing elsewhere next season, so that will leave us with Allen and Condy as proper No.8s with Barclay (and gog I think, unless he goes too) as cover.  That is not really stockpiling.

I am not too sure about either of the signings to be honest, but time will tell.

If Pitman is off then fair enough. But it is news to me (although I don't exactly have my finger on the pulse of the other regions). Where's he going??? He seemed a sure fire Wales test player to me going forward. Hope he's not leaving Wales?

Griff, it is one of the rumours around our way right now. There is some issue between him and Pivac which seems to have his days numbered. If the talk is true he is not the only player that will be leaving end of the season, without actually having a future side lined up.

In an ideal world he would stay, and battle it out with Allen for the shirt, whilst Condy develops a bit more.

Lets not forget, Ospreys have signed Gareth Delve for next season as well so game time for Allen might be at a minimum.