Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Ospreys head coach Mark Jones is a former Wales wing
ByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport Wales- Published3 minutes ago
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Ospreys head coach Mark Jones says recruitment is tough as he looks to add to his squad for next season.
The Ospreys' future as a professional side has only been guaranteed until the end of next season as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans to cut a men's side.
Ospreys are losing Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to Gloucester next season and are yet to announce any major new signings for the 2026-27 campaign.
"When you are looking at players to come in from other settled environments where there is certainty around teams and squads and competitions, it is difficult to sell Welsh rugby as an attractive product at the moment with all these things hanging over you, especially long-term," said Jones.
"If you are looking to bring somebody in from overseas or you are looking to bring in anyone from the English Premiership, it is a challenge."
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Despite losing Lake and Morgan, Jones is more positive about retention - with Wales duo Dan Edwards and Harri Deaves, and number eight Morgan Morse among the re-signings for next season.
Jones says he and general manager Dan Griffiths are "trying to keep our people in the building that we care about and people who love the Ospreys".
"The players that love the Ospreys are keen to stay around," said Jones
"They want to make it work, they want to work with myself and Dan Griffiths on retaining them and their passion for the Ospreys has been massive.
"That bit has been great to see. How much they love playing for the club has been a real pleasure but we do know we want to keep building the squad.
"We want to keep our young squad but want to add some quality in there as well that shows a real intent on the Ospreys about our future."
Jones says he is "having some good dialogue" with out-of-contract Jack Walsh and is hopeful of keeping the American-born full-back or fly-half who is attracting interest from elsewhere.
"We really value Walshy, he knows how much we care about him," added Jones.
"It's clear by how he trains, prepares and performs for us that he cares about the Ospreys.
"Both parties are doing their best to try to get that over the line but he's a professional player.
"I understand and respect he wants to make sure he assess all his options."
St Helen's move is massive boost for Ospreys
Ospreys and Swansea Council have agreed plans for the rugby team to return to St Helen's for the 2026-27 season.
The agreement is part of a joint investment between the club and local authority to redevelop the famous old sports venue to host Ospreys, Swansea RFC and community clubs from September.
The move to St Helen's will be Ospreys' third home in as many seasons, having left the Swansea.com Stadium to play in Bridgend for this campaign.
Work on a new state of the art 4G playing surface will begin shortly, according to the council.
The decision to make the traditional home of rugby in Swansea their team's base for 2026-27 comes as Swansea Council and Ospreys fans fight WRU plans to cut the nation's professional tier from four to three teams.
Jones welcomed the news of the St Helen's decision, describing it as a "massive boost".
"We were hoping to be in this season but that was not possible," he said.
"Having this news now over the past two weeks has been awesome. I have been sat at St Helen's and been looking out of the window on a sunny day looking over the sea.
"To think there is going to be rugby played there in the next few months, if all things go well, will be terrific for our support base and players and for everybody associated with the Ospreys.
"How good will it be to see us running out at the ground of one of the founder members of the Ospreys?"
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