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

London Welsh statement on Appeal decision

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in London Welsh

Following the Independent Appeal Panel’s decision to uphold the five point penalty and £15,000 fine, for fielding an ineligible player, London Welsh have issued the following statement:

London Welsh RFC is extremely disappointed by the Independent Appeal Panel’s decision to uphold the five-point deduction and £15,000 fine against the club, with regard to the charge that it fielded an ineligible player, Tyson Keats, in ten Aviva Premiership matches this season.

However, the club welcomes the Panel’s decision to remove the suspended five-point penalty imposed until the end of the 2013-14 season, and believes that this action justifies its decision to appeal.

The club also believes that this cause of action was necessary to restore the good name of the London Welsh RFC, as once it became clear what had happened, the club made every effort to “remedy the situation” and did not, at any stage, deliberately attempt to deceive the RFU. A point acknowledged by the panel in their findings.

The club maintains, however, that it has ultimately been punished for the completely unnecessary fraudulent actions of one individual, whose actions the panel accepted “could not have been predicted”.

“The club is hugely disappointed by the decision of the Independent Appeal Panel to uphold the five-point deduction for this season,” said London Welsh CEO Tony Copsey.

“We are particularly disappointed for the players, who’ve given everything they can for the club, and ultimately it is they who have been punished for something completely beyond their control.

“However, there are still four games remaining in the season and the focus and efforts of the players, the coaching staff and everyone at London Welsh is now on those remaining matches.”

London Welsh RFC will be making no further comment at this time.

Mako wins February Gatorade Game Changer Award

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Saracens

Saracens’ prop Mako Vunipola has won February’s Gatorade Game Changer Award for his performance against Exeter Chiefs. The prop capped an excellent display with two tries as his side ran out 31-11 winners.

The Game Changer rewards the player responsible for the most effective single performance each month, according to Opta’s performance statistics.

Vunipola is the sixth player this season to receive the Gatorade Game Changer Award. Each winner will then compete for the Game Changer of the Season Award in May.

Saracens’ director of rugby, Mark McCall said: "Mako was magnificent against Exeter Chiefs. He was good at set pieces and in the loose. He’s a special player and is going to get even better.”

On being presented the Award by Gatorade, an Official Performance Partner to Premiership Rugby, Vunipola said: “It’s great to be recognised as the February Gatorade Gamechanger, especially during the first Aviva Premiership Rugby match at Saracens’ new stadium.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and really lifted the team.”

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.

Richard Hill to leave Saracens at the end of the season

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Saracens

Richard Hill will be leaving his position in the Saracens Academy at the end of the season.

Nigel Wray, chairman, said: “Over many years as a player, and latterly as a coach, Richard has become synonymous with the club. His formal association may be drawing to a close as he embarks on the next challenge, but he will always remain a Saracens, hugely respected and admired by everybody associated with the club.”