Ospreys add much-travelled lock to European roster

Experienced English lock Will Spencer has been added to the Ospreys’ squad ahead of their European Challenge Cup match against Montpellier this Saturday.

Spencer, 32, knows head coach Toby Booth from their days together at Bath and has been drafted in as injury cover for Adam Beard.

Beard has been ruled out for three months because of the knee injury that he sustained whilst playing for Wales against Australia in the Autumn Nations Series.

Spencer, meanwhile, has spent the first few months of the season at Northampton, having been signed as short-term injury cover. He arrived at Saints from French Pro D2 side Soyaux-Angoulême and made two appearances for the club in the Premiership Rugby Cup and also played a single game for Bedford in the Championship.

The 6’7” lock is no stranger to European competition having played for Worcester Warriors and Leicester Tigers as well as enjoying two stints at Bath. But it is nearly two years since he made his last appearance in either EPCR competition, for Bath against Glasgow in the Challenge Cup in January 2023.

Spencer was one of the two players announced as additional players by EPCR following the completion of round one, with Divan Fuller (Stormers) the other change.