Ospreys agree Byrne deal with ASM Clermont Auvergne

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 in Rugby News

The Ospreys today confirmed that they have reached agreement with ASM Clermont Auvergne regarding the early release of Lee Byrne from his contract with the region.

Full-back Byrne is contracted with the Ospreys until the end of the 2011/12 season, but the region has reluctantly agreed to the player’s request to be released early, following a similar approach twelve month’s previously.

With the Ospreys having now reached agreement with the French club, Byrne will be free to join the T14 side at the end of the current campaign after five years at the Liberty Stadium.

Ospreys Managing Director, Mike Cuddy, explained:

“First and foremost, the Ospreys are about developing local talent, and producing players not only for the region, but for the national team also. As such, it is extremely disappointing to lose a player who hails from the region, and who has been, and continues to be, an excellent servant to the Ospreys.

“Our determination to keep Lee at the Ospreys meant that we fought hard to keep him here, turning down a similar request twelve months ago, but unfortunately, the circumstances are such that we now find ourselves in this position where we have reluctantly agreed to release Lee, given his desire to take on a fresh challenge following the Rugby World Cup later this year.

“We would not have seen much of Lee next season, when he will be 31, and for him to have the security of a three-year contract and the change of lifestyle that this move will allow him is a fantastic personal opportunity and we wish him the best of luck. Between now and the end of the season, I have no doubt that he will continue to give the Ospreys the same unquestionable commitment he always has in his time with us.”

Byrne signed for the Ospreys in the summer of 2006 from the Scarlets, marking his debut for the region with a try in the 17-11 win over Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium on the opening weekend of the 06/07 campaign. In his time with the Ospreys he has established himself as first choice fullback for Wales, as well as representing the British & Irish Lions in South Africa, and to date has made 89 appearances for the region, scoring 27 tries.

Ospreys Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, added:

“Lee has served the Ospreys well in his time with us, and has developed from a back three utility player into a highly accomplished fullback capable of competing at the top level. However, it is the nature of professional sport that players move on and teams evolve, which is why have reluctantly agreed to this deal with Clermont Auvergne to release Lee from his contract at the end of this season, a year early.

“Confirming the position at this early stage allows us to plan for next season with a degree of certainty, and to identify the key areas where we need to strengthen the squad with a view to 2011/12 and beyond.”

Lee Byrne commented:

“I’ll be sad to leave my home region but this was too good an opportunity for me to turn down at this stage of my career and I’m excited about what the future holds for me in France, and the challenges that lie ahead for me.

“I’m extremely thankful to the Directors of the Ospreys for the way that they have handled this, allowing me to look ahead to what will be a fantastic experience for me. In the longer term, the Ospreys is my region, and I’d like to think that I will be able to return here before my career is over.”

In the Rugby Rebels forum

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

The vexed question of which team should Warren Gatland pick to play Italy is a talking point in the Welsh Message Board (WMB). RR poster “Hook”, poses this question and offers Gatland the following advice:  “I think its important we don’t make the same mistake as Gats did last year but I would make a couple of changes and give some players a chance.” His team for Italy is: Byrne, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Roberts, James, Biggar, Phillips, Jones, Williams, Warbuton, Davies, J Thomas, Jones, Rees, Gill.

HorridM takes issue and says: “I hope we put out a good team for two reasons: 1) We need to build some confidence, 2) I’m going to that game. I can’t see us putting out too weak a team, because if we win our next two games we’ll be playing for the championship, if we don’t win them we’ll need to regain some pride.

Over in the England forum, Sharks fan Tiggers says: Back to proper rugby! Dafydd James makes his home debut and Gavin Kerr starts against his former club. Jones said, “Leeds will be hard to beat. They’ve got a good set piece and they’re desperate for a win. It’s a game that a lot of things hinge on so we really need to improve our discipline in our game. Leeds showed us back in November that they are a good side, but we have trained well this week and my players are ready and prepared for the challenge.”

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Ireland Under-19 side to take on Australia

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

The Ireland Under-19 side will take on their Australian counterparts in their first fixture of the season. The game will take place on Tuesday the 2nd of December in Cork IT under floodlights with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Ireland Under 19′s are coached by Allen Clarke who is assisted by Colin McEntee and Jonathan Bell. The side will be captained by Blackrock’s Jordi Murphy.

Speaking ahead of the game, coach Allen Clarke said “The Under 19′s is an integral part of the National Representative Pathway. As a nation it is our first combined age grade side.”

“The match against Australia provides a unique occasion to measure our young Irish talent against the best from the Southern Hemisphere whilst offering Irish Rugby the opportunity to benchmark the quality of our Elite Player Development Programs and the quality of this year group leading into next seasons Under 20′s Six Nations and Junior World Championship tournaments.”

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