Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Wing Tom Rogers made his senior Scarlets debut during the 2017-18 season
ByBruce PopeBBC Sport Wales- Published30 minutes ago
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Wales wing Tom Rogers will join Ospreys at the end of the season after turning down a new deal with Scarlets.
The 27-year-old has spent the last nine years at Parc y Scarlets after making his senior debut for the region in 2017.
But Rogers has been lured to join local rivals Ospreys following discussions with their head coach Mark Jones, a former Wales wing himself.
"I spoke to Mark and a few of the boys about the Ospreys and that played a big role in making the decision to move," said Rogers.
Scarlets confirmed they tried to keep the Carmarthen-born player at the Llanelli club.
Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies said: "We are obviously disappointed to see him move on, there was a contract offer for him to stay with us and continue his career with Scarlets, but we understand his decision to look for a new challenge."
The move could be seen as a gamble given Ospreys' future as a professional side has only been guaranteed until June 2027 amid the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) controversial plans to cut a men's professional team.
Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets are expected to compete for a single west Wales licence.
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Ospreys head coach Jones has admitted that has made recruitment for next season difficult with the region already braced to lose Wales pair Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.
But he insisted signing of "Swiss Army knife" Rogers - who can play across the back three positions - was a statement of intent for the club's future.
"To secure a player of Tom's ability is nothing short of a coup and a sign of the project we are building here at the club," he said.
"Tom is an excellent, international talent that will add to our already exceptional core of back-three players.
"He's a bit of a Swiss Army knife in the fact he is equally adept at full-back and wing, and we have no doubt that he will hit the ground running when he comes in next season.
"A big part of our recruitment strategy this season was to secure our young homegrown talent but it was also important to add quality [and] the addition of Tom definitely fits that bill."
Rogers has played 88 times for Scarlets as well as winning 13 caps for Wales, including scoring a hat-trick against New Zealand last November.
"The Ospreys have had a lot of success over the years and I'm really looking forward to testing myself in a different environment," said Rogers.
"I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Scarlets fans for their support during my time at the club, it has always meant a lot to me."
Despite the loss of a promising Wales international, Davies said he remains positive about the current project to rebuild a Scarlets squad who have struggled in URC this season.
"Our focus now is very clear. We are building a squad that is aligned, competitive and capable of driving this club forward," Davies said.
"We have real strength and depth developing across the back three, with a group that combines international quality with exciting young talent coming through our pathway. That gives us a strong platform to build from.
"There is real momentum building here and we are excited about what lies ahead."
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