Ospreys
The Ospreys (in Welsh there Gweilch ), in the past the Neath-Swansea Ospreys are a regional frankness from Rugby to XV Welsh, taking part in the Celtic League, the Powergen Cup and the cut of Europe/European Challenge. At the beginning of the season 2005-2006, the team withdrew the words Neath-Swansea of her name to become simply Ospreys, even if the company managing the frankness is always called Neath-Swansea Ospreys . The word English osprey indicates a raptor: the Osprey, fishing bird with the black and white plumage, which represents the union of two historical clubs to the respective colors black and white.
History
The team was created in 2003 when WRU made the decision discussed to restrict the level higher of the Welsh professional Rugby of nine clubs than five regional selections, in an attempt to copy the models with success of the Ireland and of the three nations of the Southern hemisphere: the New Zealand, the Australia and the South Africa. Since the disappearance of the Celtic Warriors in 2004, the regional Rugby Welsh counts nothing any more but four teams.Ospreys represent the whole of the zones of Neath and Swansea in the west of the Glamorgan, including the zones of high the valley of Swansea, also including Port Talbot and Aberavon. They were in the beginning create in the form of a partnership between the two most powerful clubs of the area: Neath RFC and Swansea RFC, which holds still today each one 50% of the frankness. At the summer 2004 and following the liquidation of the Celtic Warriors, the perimeter of Neath-Swansea Ospreys is extended to the east to include the main part of the zones of Brigend and Ogmore. For reasons of logistics, it however was decided that no home match would be played Brewery Field of Bridgend.
After some inevitable arguments taking into account the historical competition between Neath and Swansea, Ospreys were essential and claim the title of only true equips regional Welshwoman, after the disappearance of the Celtic Warriors. Initially having a manpower presented among weakest of the Welsh areas, in particular from its depth, Ospreys behaved remarkably for their first year, being qualified for the Coupe of Europe. In 2005 and 2007, they gained the Celtic League.
Stages
During their the first two seasons, Ospreys shared their home matches between the stage of St Helen' S with Swansea and that of The Gnoll with Neath. For their third season, in 2005/06, Ospreys play from now on their home matches in their new modern ultra stage of 20.000 places, the Liberty Stadium with Landore.
Current players
Season 2006 - 2007
-
Back: Lee Byrne
- Wingers: Richard Mustoe, Stefan Terblanche, Nikki Walker, Shane Williams
- Three quarters centers: Andrew Bishop, David Bishop, Sony Parker, Gavin Henson
- Half of opening: Shaun Connor, James Hook
- Half of fray: Justin Marshall
- Pillars: Paul James, Adam Jones, Duncan Jones,
- Second lines: Lyndon Bateman, Brent Cockbain, Ian Evans, Alum Wyn Jones
- Talonneurs: Huw Bennett, Richard Hibbard
- Third lines: Steve Tandy, Filo Tiatia, Jonathan Thomas
- Number 8: Ryan Jones
Players emblematic
Prize list