Squad for 2025/26

Moriarty played his first game in 5 months yesterday and lasted just 20 minutes.

I should imagine that has come from the uncertainty over funding over the last couple of years

Further to that, now that we are supposed to have an increase in funding, it must mean that we have been able to go back to Beard with an improved offer and that is what he is considering?

The complexity here is French clubs will very often ask for pre contracts to be signed so I would not be surprised if there are lot of financial issues around resigning Beard even if is what both parties would prefer. Plus we don’t yet know if this increased funding is signed up to yet.

Away for family reasons

I don't think he'd go there.

If you think about it, Moriarty is replacement for Tips who is retiring. Our back row would be Moriarty, Jac and either Morris or Morse.

Yeah that’s how I’m seeing it.

Any news on this...

I think we are just waiting for the right time to announce it officially.

As of Saturday he had not put pen to paper. It looks likely but was not as of Saturday a done deal.

Not heard anything recently but there was a rumour doing the rounds about Ngami Laumape last year. I think he is currently in Japan

Good news

Forgive my ignorance, but what is Mark Jones role then? Is he DOR or somesuch?

I could well believe we are looking for an experienced forwards coach as that was Booth's primary area of expertise.

The article is extremely speculative and we already have Dunc, Richard Kelly, Paul James, Bradley and Huw Gustaffson involved in coaching forwards at varying levels. The possibility of a seamless progression from schools and colleges through academy and transition to BUCS and SRC onto Ospreys is IMO one of the main attractions of the move to SH.

All under one roof on a cohesive Pathway with Ruddock at the helm? Ymlaen!

You should watch the footage of us scrumming against Glaws in that training session. Matholwych and Hire were manhandled. We certainly need somebody but nobody lets a decent tight head go so it would have to be somebody out of contract. The only name I know out of contract is Robert Hunt who was supposedly in talks with the Dargons before they signed Lewis. There are probably some others and I agree we have to do something there.

I would run a mile from a wq tight head. The fact somebody as weak as Dillon Lewis has 50 caps tells you it is the weakest of all positions in Wales and anybody who is better than moderately poor xould be tied up with Team Wales. We have seen this with Warren. I think we need to look for a nwq from a traditionally strong propping country like South Africa or Argentina. More likely to find a decent player from their reserves. Maybe Tomas Francis if he wanted to come home at right price.

If we do sign Moriarty, which seems inevitable, it could well be a bit of clever forward planning if either of the MMs get selected for Wales.

A new TH who can actually scrummage would also be lovely.

I think the main reason for adding Moriarty to the back row is size. Jac Morse Morris and Deaves are all very short and could never be selected in the same back row. I would be staggered if Jac and Morse were not regulars with Team Wales. I would be equally staggered if Morris and Deaves were.

Luke Morgan stands out as an obvious one. Subject to their contract terms Cokasinga and Steff Thomas have offered poor returns. I think Cam Jones may have overtaken Steff Thomas in the pecking order

All good calls but what is the position with the SRC transition players? Some appear above while others like Connor Moyse, Hire and Ben Evans are noticeable by their absence. Evans was a really exciting counter attacking full back at age grade.

I have put the players who have been playing for the First XV only. Moyse is still out injured and Kian has only just returned this past weekend.

It's at the bottom of the press release when the squad is announced for a game - https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/ospreys-announce-team-face-leinster-origin-round

To be fair that list says unavailable and not injured....I could have sworn that I read that Cokansiga had a bad attitude and it was why he wasn't playing but I could be wrong.

I haven't heard that I must admit. I'm almost certain he's injured, he'd have been sent to play in the SRC otherwise if fit and out of favour I'd have thought.

If Jarod came, he would likely block the development of Dan Edwards. We need another Stephen Myler type of signing for 10.

Tend to agree on Evans. I think there are three ways to go to cover the departure of OW. The first would be to get a player coach on the verge of retirement and if Dan Biggar is persuadable to play out his days at St Helens he would be a good call. The second is to find a new player who could be a first choice at 12 and back up at 10. Or sign a quality 15 and use Walsh at 10 with Dan Edwards

Biggs as mentor would be a very good call if he, Walsh and DanEds can rotate 10 and 15 as Biggs and Sammy D used to do. I have never been a fan of Jarrod who can lose his focus too easily and run in circles. He can't kick either and we have Josh Phillips and Charlie Thomas still growing into their games.

If he was on a 2 year contract then the answer is yes. Can’t see who is in blue but my best guess on who is in that category after the four announced signings would be Beard Rhys D Spencer Morris RMW Luke Davies Kieran W Boshoff Conbeer Luke Morgan. But very difficult to know the various breaks and option years all the contracts would have so could be a few more

I was told MM was going to France if he wasn't selected for 6 nations squad

With the 5 you named plus WG and Ratti and Dan Germine coming through have to agree why would we need to go there, there are far more important positions to fill.

Unless it is a cheap punt?

We are clearly considering another back rower carrier as we were linked with Tom Hooper before Exeter grabbed him.