Jones Discusses Recruitment Challenges for Ospreys
Mark Jones, head coach of the Ospreys and former Wales wing, has expressed the difficulties faced in recruiting players as he aims to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season.
The Ospreys' status as a professional rugby team is currently secured only through the end of the next season, due to the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) plans to reduce the number of men's professional sides.
The team is set to lose Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to Gloucester next season and has yet to announce any significant new signings for the 2026-27 campaign.
"When you are looking at players to come in from other settled environments where there is certainty around teams and squads and competitions, it is difficult to sell Welsh rugby as an attractive product at the moment with all these things hanging over you, especially long-term," said Jones.
"If you are looking to bring somebody in from overseas or you are looking to bring in anyone from the English Premiership, it is a challenge."
Retention Efforts and Re-signings
Despite the departures of Lake and Morgan, Jones remains optimistic about retaining key players. Wales internationals Dan Edwards and Harri Deaves, along with number eight Morgan Morse, have all re-signed for the next season.
Jones emphasized the commitment of the club's management to keeping valued players within the organization.
"We are trying to keep our people in the building that we care about and people who love the Ospreys," Jones stated.
"The players that love the Ospreys are keen to stay around. They want to make it work, they want to work with myself and Dan Griffiths on retaining them and their passion for the Ospreys has been massive.
That bit has been great to see. How much they love playing for the club has been a real pleasure but we do know we want to keep building the squad.
We want to keep our young squad but want to add some quality in there as well that shows a real intent on the Ospreys about our future."
Jones also mentioned ongoing discussions with out-of-contract player Jack Walsh, who is attracting interest from other clubs.
"I am having some good dialogue with Jack Walsh and am hopeful of keeping the American-born full-back or fly-half," Jones said.
"We really value Walshy, he knows how much we care about him. It's clear by how he trains, prepares and performs for us that he cares about the Ospreys.
Both parties are doing their best to try to get that over the line but he's a professional player. I understand and respect he wants to make sure he assesses all his options."
Ospreys to Return to St Helen's
The Ospreys and Swansea Council have reached an agreement for the rugby team to return to St Helen's stadium for the 2026-27 season.
This arrangement is part of a joint investment initiative between the club and the local authority to redevelop the historic sports venue. St Helen's will host the Ospreys, Swansea RFC, and community clubs starting in September.
The move will mark the Ospreys' third home ground in as many seasons, following their departure from the Swansea.com Stadium and their current season's matches in Bridgend.
The council has announced that work on a new state-of-the-art 4G playing surface will commence shortly.
The decision to base the team at St Helen's coincides with ongoing efforts by Swansea Council and Ospreys supporters to oppose the WRU's plan to reduce the number of professional Welsh rugby teams from four to three.
Jones welcomed the announcement, calling it a "massive boost."
"We were hoping to be in this season but that was not possible," he said.
"Having this news now over the past two weeks has been awesome. I have been sat at St Helen's and been looking out of the window on a sunny day looking over the sea.
To think there is going to be rugby played there in the next few months, if all things go well, will be terrific for our support base and players and for everybody associated with the Ospreys.
How good will it be to see us running out at the ground of one of the founder members of the Ospreys?"
Additional Context
Other related developments include Swansea Council seeking a high court injunction against the WRU and calls from Welsh districts to cancel an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) concerning the future of professional rugby in Wales.
