Ospreys director tweets '100 per cent' promise about merger story
Ospreys have yet to issue an official club statement in response to weekend rumours that they are to merge with English Championship club Ealing, but commercial director Anthony Cole-Johnson has taken to Twitter to pour cold water on the speculation. It was last month when the owners of the second-tier Trailfinders were told by the RFU that they would once again be denied promotion to the Gallagher Premiership due to an inadequate stadium capacity.
It has since emerged that Ealing are allegedly in talks with the struggling Welsh region about a merger that would potentially pave the way for them to participate in the URC, but Cole-Johnson has denied the media stories about a merger between the Ospreys and Trailfinders.
“The truth hasn’t changed; it’s a rehash of the same story. The Ospreys will remain in Wales, there is no change to Y11 commitment to us,” he initially tweeted, a comment later followed by: “As an organisation, we don’t want to get into the habit of making statements when, honestly speaking, it’s a poorly informed and non-true article.
“As we approach the contracting stage of numerous we have no doubt more of this will follow – and so judge us over time.”
Cole-Johnson, who started working at Ospreys in January 2022, later added: “I’m not sure the Daily Mail story is anything other than the same story. Look, it’s just not happening. 100 per cent. And in the coming months, people will see that to be true.”
With Ospreys yet to issue an official denial, flanker Sam Cross shared his thoughts about the merger idea on the latest episode of BBC Wales’ Scrum V podcast. “There is obviously a lot of people’s livelihoods at stake, not just players,” he said. “People we work with on a daily basis – staff members, people in the stadium, people in the community teams. It’s bigger than just players.
“Then for the fans. Speaking to fans, the Ospreys’ supporters’ club on the weekend, you could sense they are anxious and the stress caused by the rumours. It would be devastating.
“The Ospreys have been Wales’ most successful region, flying the flag in the Champions Cup this season, winners of the Welsh Shield last year. And for the national squad, Ospreys have definitely been the best supplier of players.
“I find it crazy that it’s always the Ospreys that are linked with ‘they are the region that has to go’. It’s the old ‘they haven’t got their own stadium, they haven’t their own training base’ – it’s a never-ending cycle.”
Despite recent crisis talks, the WRU and its four regions have yet to officially put pen to paper on a new six-year funding agreement, a standoff accompanied by stories that some star Cardiff players who are out of contract have been offered as little as £30,000 to play next season.
Wales centre Uilisi Halaholo, who is in need of surgery to fix a serious achilles injury, tweeted: “Dark times at the moment. Don’t know how to feel. I can’t accept an offer that can’t even feed my family on a month-to-month basis. Regrets running through my mind as I turned down offers to go abroad back in October.
“The worst part is knowing my coach wants to keep me but the money doesn’t add up and would mean we would be stretched and struggle to provide for the kids. Now I have to wait and hope someone will pick up an injured player. I’m hating myself because of this situation we are in.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
2 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments