Dan Biggar signs on with the Ospreys for another three years

Posted on Mar 27, 2013 in Ospreys

Dan Biggar has signed a new three year deal with the Ospreys, the region has announced.

Twenty-three year old Biggar, whose current deal expires at the end of this campaign, will now stay at the Liberty Stadium until at least the end of the 2015/16 season.

Speaking after signing the new contract, Biggar said:

"This is an organisation that has always been very good to me and supported me so it’s great that I can recognise that by committing my future to the region.

"It’s always nice to get things sorted and to be all done and dusted, and now I’ve signed it means I can concentrate on the next few weeks and helping the team to secure a play-off place without any distractions."

A product of the Ospreys’ elite youth development pathway, Biggar gained his early rugby experience with Gorseinon RFC and Gowerton Comprehensive in Swansea, before representing the region at age-grade level and playing for Swansea RFC in the Welsh Premiership.

He made his senior Ospreys debut as an 18-year old, as a late replacement in an EDF Energy Cup semi-final win over Saracens at the Millennium Stadium almost exactly five years ago in March 2008, with his first start coming in an away win over Glasgow in September that year.

Since then he has flourished in the Ospreys environment, his durability and consistency in the number 10 shirt allowing him to reach some considerable landmarks for the region.

In November 2011, less than a month after his 22nd birthday, he overtook James Hook to become the region’s all-time highest points scorer, a record he has since extended to 1,206. Having topped the scoring charts for the last three consecutive seasons he is on course to do so again this time around.

Meanwhile, in April 2012 he became the youngest ever Osprey to reach 100 regional caps, and now stands on 121 appearances.

An age-grade international, he won his first senior Welsh cap in November 2008, against Canada, and now stands on 16 caps having established himself as first choice for Wales over the last two months during their successful Six Nations campaign.

Having been in negotiations regarding his new deal for some months, Biggar admitted to being relieved to have finalised his contract, indicating that the ambition of the region matched his own which had been the deciding factor:

"Some negotiations can be straight forward, others take a little bit more time, but what’s important is that you get it right in the end" he said.

"I think that both parties are very happy with where we are and can really look forward to the future positively. The Ospreys wanted to keep me and I wanted to stay so it’s always been a case of agreeing on a few things. It’s not just financial, there are other things that come into the equation.

"This is a great environment with fantastic facilities and great coaches. It brings the best of you as a player and I consider myself fortunate to have come through this system to represent my home region. That’s very important, as you have to be happy in your environment, wherever you are.

"My aim is to be competing for trophies with the Ospreys every year. I’ve discussed this at length with the coaches and management here, I’ve made that ambition absolutely clear, and I wouldn’t have committed for the next three years if they didn’t share those aims. We know how difficult it is, with the salary cap and things like that, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to be successful.

"There are a lot of good players here at the Ospreys. We’ve got experienced, quality senior players and some exciting youngsters coming through and we’ve shown that we can get the right blend to be competitive. There’s no reason why we can’t continue developing from within while competing with the best. I’m excited about what we can potentially achieve as a group."

Andy Lloyd, Rugby Operations Manager at the Ospreys, said:

"The news that Dan has re-signed for another three years is a huge boost for the Ospreys, looking towards the end of season run-in and beyond that to the future of the region.

"It’s a huge statement from the business and credit needs to go those involved who have worked extremely hard to put the business where we are, enabling us to keep such a prime young, local talent.

"To be able to re-sign a young man of his calibre, particularly given how his stock has risen over the last two months on the back of some very accomplished performances in a Wales shirt, is a huge boost for everyone. That he is happy to commit his future to the Ospreys speaks volumes about the environment that we have created here.

"Daniel is an Osprey through and through but he is also a born competitor so its understandable that he didn’t just jump in and sign as although we are his home region he wanted to make sure that we shared the ambitions.

"He epitomises everything we want in an Osprey. He is hard working, committed to the cause and completely dedicated to being the best player he can possibly be. He’s a fantastic goal kicker whose record speaks for itself, but it’s important to stress that he’s not just a kicking machine, he’s got a lot of other talents and he directs our game well.

"I’m sure that he’s going to have a massive future, with the Ospreys and with Wales."

Andrew Hore, Ospreys’ Chief Operations Officer, added:

"It’s fantastic news that we have been able to retain Dan’s services for another three years. It’s important if we truly want to represent the local community that we have young, local talent like Dan wearing the shirt so that children can aspire to follow in their footsteps along the development pathway.

"However, we mustn’t take our ability to keep local players here for granted. We need to continue growing our support base, we need bums on seats, people watching their region, as without increased funding we face the risk of losing players like Dan in the future."

Biggar is the ninth player to have signed a new contract with the Ospreys following on from Richard Fussell, Tom Grabham, Tom Isaacs, Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb, Joe Bearman, Lloyd Peers and James King

Michael Allen signs two-year deal with Ulster Rugby

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in Ulster

Ulster back, Michael Allen, has signed his first senior contract with the Province. The two-year deal will keep him at Ravenhill until at least the summer of 2015.

Allen, who is 22, joined the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy in 2009 and made his senior debut against Leinster in 2011 at the RDS. He was awarded a one-year development contract last summer.

This season he has made 13 appearances for Ulster, scoring two tries.

Commenting on his new deal, Allen said:

“Signing a senior contract with Ulster has been an ambition of mine ever since I joined the Academy, so I am delighted to have fulfilled that goal.

“I have enjoyed being part of the set-up and playing so many games this season. Ulster is my home Province, it’s where I grew up and it’s where my friends and family live, so it means a great deal to wear the shirt.

“I look forward to helping Ulster be successful over the next two years.”

Grabham wings in with a two-year deal with Ospreys

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Ospreys

Ospreys Rugby have confirmed that young winger Tom Grabham has signed a new contract with the region.

21-year old Grabham is a product of the Ospreys’ development pathway, starting off in community rugby playing for local club Tondu before graduating through the system to represent Bridgend District and play age-grade rugby for the region.

He then gained his first senior experience with Bridgend Ravens, helping them win promotion to the Premiership in 2010/11 before featuring regularly for the club last season.

He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal that runs until the summer of 2015, and will continue to combine his fledgling rugby career with his university studies as he completes a BSC in Biochemistry.

“I’m really happy to sign for another two years” said Grabham after the new contract was signed.

“It’s my home region and it’s a good environment to be in as a developing player. This has been my first full season and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve played a few games, I’ve been fortunate enough to get the opportunity to be involved in some big matches and I want push on from here, between now and the end of the season and then next year.

“I’ve settled well into the group and I think I’ve done well when I’ve been given a chance on the wing. It’s been a good season for me so far, I’m really enjoying myself, now it’s important that I keep improving. I’ve got another two years and I want to make the most of it.”

Grabham made his senior regional debut last season in the LV= Cup game away to Exeter Chiefs, finishing the campaign with three substitute appearances to his credit.

This season has seen him feature regularly for the Ospreys, with 10 more appearances to his credit, his first start coming against Glasgow in the PRO12 in September and his Heineken Cup debut away to Treviso two months ago.

He has also gained international experience with Wales, captaining his country on the IRB Sevens World Series.

Rugby Operations Manager at the region, Andy Lloyd, said:

“Tom is an up and coming young player who has already made an impression when given the chance to play for the region on the wing.

“He’s a very intelligent young man who understands his roles and responsibilities and is very diligent in everything he does which will stand him in good stead if he is going to progress and establish himself fully as an Osprey. He works his socks off and ultimately is a very professional rugby player who is developing the right habits on and off the field.

“He’s got great feet, he’s powerful, and he understands what we want from him as a wing. This isn’t just about the here and now, this is good news for the future as we have secured the services of a real prospect from within the region for the next two years.”

This is the latest good news for the Ospreys in terms of players signing new deals with the region, as Grabham becomes the seventh player to commit recently after Tom Isaacs, Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb, Joe Bearman, Lloyd Peers and James King.

Isaacs commits to Ospreys for two more years

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Ospreys

The Ospreys have confirmed that Tom Isaacs has become the latest player to sign a new deal with the region.

26-year old Isaacs has committed to the Ospreys beyond the end of this season, putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract which keeps him at the Liberty Stadium until the summer of 2015.

Isaacs, a Wales age-grade cap and Sevens World Cup winner, joined the Ospreys in the summer 2009, and after injuries hampered his first year with the region he has become an increasingly influential member of the playing squad.

He made his debut for the region against the Dragons at the Liberty Stadium in October 2010, with his first start coming four months later in February 2011 against London Wasps. He made his 50th appearance for the region last month in the PRO12 fixture against Connacht in Galway, and was out of contract at the end of the season.

“I’m delighted to sign up for another two years” said Isaacs.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far. I know that I’ve learnt a lot over the last four years and I feel I’m still learning every day when I come to work at Llandarcy. There’s a great set-up here with some fantastic coaches. I’ve got some great friends here, it’s a place where I’m really happy to be.

“I had a difficult first year due to injuries but I had great support and I was able to put that behind me. Over the last three seasons, and the last 24 months in particular, I’ve been able to play a part in what the team is doing and it keeps getting better for me.

“I’ve had a good run this season, and that’s something I’ve really enjoyed. Like I said, I’m still learning a hell of a lot, from the coaches and my team-mates, but if I keep working hard I can hopefully cement my place in the team over the next two years.”

Andy Lloyd, Rugby Operations Manager at the Ospreys, commented:

“Tom has done really well over the last 18 months, we’ve really seen him develop on and off the field. There’s no getting away from his versatility, but he has been able to establish himself more and more as a 13 with some solid performances.

“He’s capable of producing some really exciting moments, he can beat people and he’s physical, which is a good place to start from. He’s getting better and better, and we see Tom as a big part of our future.

“It’s great news that Tom has committed himself to the Ospreys, becoming the latest player to sign a new contract for next season and beyond. Although the financial climate remains challenging, the steps that we have taken as a business to put us on a more stable, sustainable footing, means that we can look ahead to the future positively, with decisions being made for rugby reasons.”

Isaacs follows on from Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb and Joe Bearman in signing new contracts recently, while young forwards Lloyd Peers and James King did so at the end of December.

Albion announce first new signing of the New 2013/2014 season

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Plymouth Albion

Plymouth Albion have announced their first new signing for the 2013/2014 season is Eoghan Grace, Back row/ Second Row from Connacht Rugby.

Plymouth Albion can reveal that Eoghan has signed a contract with the Club to start pre-season training with the team in June.

Eoghan has an impressive CV and Rugby back ground, at the age of 25, born in Clonmel Tipperary, he weighs in at 100KGs and is 1.88m in Height.

Eoghan will move with his wife, originally from Devon, to Ivybridge.

Eoghan has represented his country on two occasions internationally for the 7’s and the Ireland Under 20’s

Nat Saumi, Head Coach and Director of Rugby at Plymouth Albion said, "This is a good signing for the club, and he has been playing in Connacht who are in the RaboDirect  PRO12 and also in the Heineken Cup. He was with Exeter Chiefs last season, so has had experience in playing for a Premiership Club. For him to be involved in those two class competitions, I feel proud to have him with Albion next season. "