Ospreys apologise to rival Welsh region over gaffe at fan event

Ospreys have issued an apology to rival Welsh region Scarlets and their new investment partners after an embarrassing incident at a recent fan engagement evening.

The Swansea-based region confirmed that during the Q&A portion of a supporters’ event on 23 September, a question submitted through a live app — “Are HOL con men?” — was briefly displayed on the venue’s big screen.

HOL refers to the House of Luxury Group LLC, the US-based luxury asset agency that announced in August its intention to acquire a 55 per cent controlling stake in Scarlets. The deal, hailed as a landmark moment for Welsh regional rugby, has been billed as bringing immediate financial stability to the Llanelli club.

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However, the Ospreys have now apologised after photos from the evening – with the offending question visible in the background – were shared on their social media channels.

Ospreys issue statement. pic.twitter.com/BjMLuYM4m9

— Ospreys (@ospreys) October 11, 2025

As Ospreys statement reads: “On Tuesday 23 September 2025 we held a fan engagement evening.

“To manage the Q&A, we used an app which allows attendees to pose questions. One audience member posed the question ‘Are HOL con men?’ which briefly appeared on a large screen on the stage. Photos of the evening with this question visible in the background were subsequently published on our social media channels.

“We apologise to the House of Luxury Group for the distress and upset caused by the publication of these photos, to the House of Luxury Group Board, and those connected with the company.”

The apology comes a couple of months after Scarlets announced what they described as a “new era” for the club through their partnership with House of Luxury, which has assumed operational leadership and financial liabilities while working toward a full equity transaction.

The deal, led by former WRU and NZRU chief executive David Moffett, includes prominent figures such as former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar and NZ Rugby strategist Leanne Batts. HOL has pledged to “transform” Scarlets into a community and commercial hub while safeguarding the club’s heritage and west Wales identity.

The timing of the Ospreys’ incident is awkward, coming amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of Wales’ four professional regions. The Welsh Rugby Union is still considering a proposal that could see the number of professional sides reduced to two post-2027.