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England U20s star will jump ship to Wales after signing for Ospreys
Former England U20s star Mat Protheroe is ready to jump ship back to Wales after it was announced that he has signed a two-year deal to join the Ospreys next season.
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Despite being born in Swansea, Protheroe made his name playing for England U20s (and U18s) between 2015 and 2018, a decision that left some Welsh fans disgruntled.
The 23-year-old star however remains Welsh qualified and will look to follow in the footsteps of Ross Moriarty, who played England U20s before switching back to Wales for his senior rugby.
“Being a Welsh kid and playing rugby in Wales, the ultimate dream is to represent your country,” said Protheroe,” he told the Ospreys website.
“That is a goal of mine but to do that I have to get game-time and prove myself at the Ospreys first.”
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“So I know I have to put in back-to-back performances, week-in week-out, for the Ospreys to stand any chance of playing for Wales.
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“But it’s definitely an ambition of mine to play international rugby for Wales.”
Protheroe said he was eager to make a mark in his home town team: “I am a Swansea lad and I grew up watching the Ospreys.”
It'll be a late one!https://t.co/6sIkG4OEUT
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“James Hook, Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Thomas, Filo Tiatia and Lee Byrne were the players I used to turn up at the Liberty to watch as a young boy.
“I grew up watching those players. Having the chance to follow in their footsteps is a big thing for me. It’s just a really exciting challenge for me. I have never played in the Guinness Pro14, which is a new league for me, so it’s just exciting for me and I am really looking forward to the challenge.”
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Protheroe won a scholarship to Hartpury College, scoring seven tries in 14 games for Hartpury RFC in National League One in England in 2015. He signed his first professional contract with Gloucester Rugby that year, before joining Bristol Bears in the RFU Championship from the 2017-18 season.
Protheroe was a standout in Pat Lam’s team, but now he’s ready to make his mark in his native Swansea.
“When I was watching the Ospreys growing up, they were always the most successful region, and were always winning trophies and fighting for trophies,” said Protheroe.
Another blow for Tigers' squadhttps://t.co/YoaQdQ9wgW
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“It’s an ambition of mine to win trophies and silverware and I always strive to do that.
“I know the Ospreys have had a tough few months, looking in from the outside but the talent pool of young and experienced players they have, I just know they can compete at the top end of Europe and on a domestic level.
“So the goal I have set myself is to win trophies.”
He is the second new signing for the Ospreys next season, following scrum-half Rhys Webb from Toulon.
Dan Griffiths, the Ospreys Rugby General Manager said of his new signing: “We are delighted to bring Mat back home, and I know how excited he is to become an Osprey,” said Griffiths.
“He is a potent attacking weapon who brings pace and x-factor, as his performances, and the tries he has scored in the Premiership this season have shown.
“But more than that, Mat is a very good footballer, with a strong kicking game and excellent distribution skills which will also create opportunities for players around him.
“It’s an exciting time for Mat, as a young, talented, ambitious player to become part of the vision of the club. He will be an excellent addition to our squad and someone who will excite fans alongside the pace and power we have in our back three.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments