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Ospreys (rugby union)

Welsh rugby union team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ospreys (rugby union)

The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath–Swansea Ospreys[2][3] is one of the four professional rugby union teams from Wales. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and in European Professional Club Rugby competitions. The team formed as a result of Neath RFC and Swansea RFC combining to create a new merged entity, as part of the new regional structure of Welsh rugby, that began in 2003. They are also affiliated with a number of local semi-professional and amateur clubs, including Welsh Premier Division sides Aberavon RFC, Bridgend Ravens, and original founding clubs Neath and Swansea. The regional area represented by the team has widely become known for rugby purposes as 'Ospreylia'.[4]

Quick Facts Union, Founded ...
Ospreys
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UnionWelsh Rugby Union
Founded2003; 22 years ago (2003)
LocationSwansea, Wales
Ground(s)Swansea.com Stadium (Capacity: 20,827)
CEOLance Bradley
Coach(es)Mark Jones
Captain(s)Jac Morgan[1]
Most appearancesAlun Wyn Jones (268)
Top scorerDan Biggar (2,203)
Most triesShane Williams (57)
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2023–24Quarter-finals
8th overall
(Welsh Shield: 1st)
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1st kit
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2nd kit
Official website
www.ospreysrugby.com
Current season
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Their main home ground is the Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea, although some smaller profile games have been played at the Brewery Field, Bridgend. Ospreys currently play in a black home strip, while the away strip is white. The Ospreys logo consists of an image of an Osprey mask.

The Ospreys are the most successful Welsh team in the history of the Celtic League or Pro12 tournament, having won the competition four times. They also became the first and only Welsh regional team to beat a major touring side, defeating Australia 24–16 in 2006.[5]

History

Summarize
Perspective
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Cardiff Blues
Cardiff
Scarlets
Llanelli
Ospreys
Swansea
Neath
Dragons
Newport
The 4 Welsh Rugby Union Regions of Wales

Infancy

On 24 July 2003, it was announced that the new team jointly representing Neath RFC and Swansea RFC would be known as the Neath–Swansea Ospreys.[6] The Ospreys part of the team's name was inspired by the use of the bird as Swansea RFC's centenary badge. Former Neath RFC coach Lyn Jones was appointed as head coach, who named Scott Gibbs as the team's first captain.[7] 5 September 2003 saw the region play their first competitive game, a 41–30 Celtic League home win over Irish province Ulster at The Gnoll in Neath.[8] Leeds Tykes were the Ospreys' first Heineken Cup opponents, with the English team triumphing 29–20 on 7 December 2003.[9] They struggled to recover from their opening defeat, finishing bottom of their pool, recording their only victory against the Tykes' at home in the final round at St. Helens.[10] Domestically the Ospreys' did salvage some pride, avoiding becoming the lowest placed Welsh region, by pipping Cardiff Blues to fifth place in the Celtic League.[11]

Following the demise of the Celtic Warriors region on 1 June 2004,[12] the Neath–Swansea Ospreys had their borders extended to cover much of the Bridgend and Ogmore areas to the east.[13] However, for logistical reasons it was decided that no home games would be played at Bridgend RFC's Brewery Field.[14] Former Warriors players David Bishop, Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones and Sonny Parker were signed by the Ospreys'.

2004–2007

The 2004–05 season saw significant on field improvement for the region. A capacity crowd of 10,280 was present at The Gnoll on 26 March 2005 to witness the Ospreys claim their first piece of silverware. A 29–12 win over Edinburgh, with two rounds of the competition still remaining, saw the team crowned Celtic League champions.[15] However, impressive back to back wins over Harlequins were not enough to overcome Munster in the pool stages of that season's Heineken Cup. On 14 May 2005 it was announced that the "Neath–Swansea" part of the team's name would be dropped, with them to be referred to as the Ospreys.[2]

A growing sense of expectation surrounded the team heading into 2005–06, an expectation they struggled to cope with, finishing a disappointing seventh in the Celtic League. A difficult Heineken Cup pool made up of tough opposition in Leicester Tigers, Stade Francais and ASM Clermont Auvergne proved too difficult, as they finished a distant third. A gutsy home victory over Stade[16] and a last gasp defeat to Leicester,[17] did however offer some crumbs of comfort. In April 2006 it was announced that noted former New Zealand All Blacks scrum half Justin Marshall had signed to play for Ospreys.

The Ospreys won the Celtic League during the 2006/07 season, topping the league by a single point and taking the title with an away win at Borders. Winning the Celtic League for a second time meant the Ospreys were the first team to have won the Celtic League twice. In February 2008, the Ospreys provided 13 of the starting line-up for Wales in their Six Nations match against England, setting a new record for the number of players from one region playing for their national side. During the 2007/08 season the Ospreys reached Quarter-final of the Heineken Cup for the first time but unexpectedly lost to Saracens. The following week they won the EDF Energy Cup beating Leicester Tigers at Twickenham.

In November 2006 when it became apparent that Wales 'A' would not be able to face Australia A national rugby union team midweek during their November tour, the Ospreys became the first Welsh region to play a major international side since regional rugby was introduced, a match they won 24–16.[18] Following the win over the Wallabies, the term Ospreylia became ingrained in popular culture[19][20][21] with it being adopted by the region and its supporters as a description of the geographical area covered by the region, with supporters known as Ospreylians. Peter Black, Assembly Member for south west Wales has declared himself as AM for Ospreylia on his own blog.[22]

On 23 February 2007, the Ospreys played their first 'A' team match, against Newport-Gwent Dragons 'A' at Bridgend, which was the first 'A' match fixture for any of the Welsh regional sides. They lost the match 22–10. They have since gone on to play Worcester 'A' in April, a game which they lost 24–23 to an injury-time penalty.

2008–2011

In February 2008 Andrew Hore was appointed as the Ospreys as elite performance director. Previously Hore had been high performance manager with the New Zealand Rugby Union.[23]

A disappointing seventh-place finish in the Celtic League and a surprise Heineken Cup quarter-final exit to Saracens F.C. saw head coach Lyn Jones resign at the end of the 2007–08 season, on 16 May 2008 Assistant Coach Sean Holley and forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys would continue as part of a new management structure being overseen by Andrew Hore, until a replacement could be found.[24] Scott Johnson, the former head coach of the Welsh national team, and attack coach when Wales won the Six Nations Championship Grand Slam in 2005 for the first time in 27 years, was announced as director of coaching at the Ospreys on 29 January 2009.

On 21 April 2009, the Ospreys had six players included in the British & Irish Lions' squad for the 2009 South African tour: Lee Byrne (fullback), Tommy Bowe and Shane Williams (wings), Mike Phillips (scrum-half), Alun Wyn Jones (lock) and Adam Jones (prop). One notable omission however, was Wales and Ospreys captain Ryan Jones. The Ospreys announced the signing of former New Zealand All Blacks captain Jerry Collins on 9 May 2009.[25] Collins had been a stalwart for the All Blacks, since 2004 but retired from international rugby in 2008.

A 29–28 defeat by Biarritz on 10 April 2010 dashed the team's hopes of a first Heineken Cup semi-final appearance. A late Nicky Walker try in San Sebastien proved in vain.[26] However, on 29 May 2010, the Ospreys won the 2009–10 Celtic League by defeating Leinster in the final by 17–12 at the RDS Arena in Dublin.[27]

Following a wide-ranging review, Andrew Hore, previously elite performance director at the Ospreys, became on 26 April 2011 chief operations officer at the region.[23]

2010–11 would not see the region reach the heights of the previous one. Despite winning all their home pool games in the Heineken Cup, a failure to win on the road proved costly, with Munster and Toulon progressing instead. Another win for Munster at Thomond Park on 14 May 2011, ended the Ospreys Celtic League aspirations at the semi-final stage.[28]

2012–2018

Former player Steve Tandy was appointed as new Ospreys head coach on 15 February 2012 replacing Sean Holley in the role, as Scott Johnson also departed to take up a coaching role with Scotland.[29] Both Holley and Johnson's final game as part of the coaching setup at the Liberty Stadium had been a 36–5 away loss to Biarritz, which marked the end of a Heineken Cup campaign that saw them again fail to win on their travels. New coach Tandy enjoyed a successful start to his tenure, winning eight of his first ten matches as full-time Head Coach, including winning the 2011–12 Pro12 following a 31–30 win over Leinster at the RDS, thanks to a late Shane Williams try in his final match for the region 29–30 and Dan Biggar adding a difficult conversion for the win 31–30.[30] Ospreys reached 2 semi-finals in the subsequent 6 seasons, but not made the final.

Following a poor start to the 2017–2018 season, Tandy was sacked by the Ospreys.[31] Forwards coach Allen Clarke took over on an interim basis, before agreeing to a three-year deal as head coach.[32]

2018–

For the 2018–2019 season, along with new head coach Clarke, Matt Sherratt joined the coaching staff, replacing Gruff Rees.[33] The season also began with notable squad changes, with record points scorer Dan Biggar departing for Northampton Saints,[34] and stalwart Paul James retiring.[35] The Ospreys were boosted with the signings of Welsh internationals George North,[36] Scott Williams,[37] and Aled Davies.[38] The season saw a modest improvement for the Ospreys, winning 12 matches and losing 9, as well as beating west Wales rivals the Scarlets for a Champions Cup place.[39] The Ospreys endured an inauspicious 2019–2020 season, finishing bottom of Conference A of the Pro14, winning just two of their 15 matches.

The 2020–2021 season saw Allen Clarke replaced by former electrician Toby Booth.[40] He succeeded in sparking the region back to life, including an away win at eventual champions Leinster [41] and a return to top tier European competition for the following season. In 2021–2022, the rebranded United Rugby Championship saw the Ospreys win the Welsh Shield, but struggle in the Champions Cup, losing all of their group games. A home win over Munster heralded the arrival of outstanding back row forward Jac Morgan.[42]

The 2021–2022 season saw another mid-table finish in the United Rugby Championship, with the Ospreys narrowly missing out on a place in the play-offs, contested by the top eight teams, with a ninth-place finish. A worrying trend continued, as they again lost all four of their European Champions Cup fixtures. They secured a return to the top-level European competition by finishing top of the Welsh Shield.

The 2022–2023 season once again saw a mid-table finish in the United Rugby Championship. The Ospreys' European Champions Cup campaign started in ominous fashion, as a much-changed Leicester team defeated them at the Swansea.com stadium. As one of the lowest-seeded teams in the competition, the Ospreys would have to play the reigning English and French champions home and away in their group games. The defeat against Leicester was therefore followed by an away game in Montpellier. Against all expectations, and inspired by the arrival of master-tactician fly-half Owen Williams after the break-up of Worcester Warriors, the Ospreys beat Montpellier. That was followed by a win over Montpellier at home, and a titanic victory away at Leicester, which secured their place in the quarter finals. Results elsewhere meant that they missed out on home advantage in that quarter final, and were ultimately not able to get past Saracens, bowing out of the competition at the quarter final stage, but not without achieving some of the best results in Welsh regional rugby in years along the way.

In January 2024, the Ospreys management have stated they are looking at options for moving to a new ground. It will be a rugby home, suited to rugby supporters and not a shared football stadium like the Swansea.com.

Season records

Celtic League / Pro12 / Pro14 / URC

More information Season, Position/Round ...
Season Position/Round Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2003–045th2211110955
2004–051st2016131076
2005–067th221109355[a]
2006–071st201406864
2007–087th1861111137
2008–094th181107852
2009–102nd181305652
Semi-finalOspreys 20 – 15 Glasgow Warriors
Grand FinalLeinster 12 – 17 Ospreys
2010–114th2212191363
Semi-finalMunster 18 – 11 Ospreys
2011–122nd221615571
Semi-finalOspreys 45 – 10 Munster
Grand FinalLeinster 30 – 31 Ospreys
2012–135th221417462
2013–145th221318666
2014–153rd221615874
Semi-finalMunster 21 – 18 Ospreys
2015–168th2211110955
2016–174th2214081369
Semi-finalMunster 23 – 3 Ospreys
2017–18Conference A, 5th219112844
7th Champions Cup place PlayoffUlster 35 – 17 Ospreys
2018–19Conference A, 4th2112091058
7th Champions Cup place PlayoffOspreys 21 – 10 Scarlets
2019–20Conference A, 7th15[b]2211517
2020–21Conference A, 3rd16[c]808436
Rainbow Cup, 8th5212311
2021–229th181008646
2022–2313th1852111135
2023–248th1810081050
Quarter-finalMunster 23 – 7 Ospreys
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Celtic Cup

More information Season, Round ...
Season Round Match
2003–04 Preliminary Leinster 35 – 21 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
2004–05 Quarter-final Neath–Swansea Ospreys 23 – 16 Ulster
Semi-final Llanelli Scarlets 23 – 15 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
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Heineken Cup / Rugby Champions Cup

More information Season, Pool/Round ...
Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2003–04 Pool 24th610504
2004–05 Pool 43rd6303214
2005–06 Pool 43rd620419
2006–07 Pool 32nd6411220
2007–08 Pool 22nd6501121
Quarter-final Saracens 19 – 10 Ospreys
2008–09 Pool 32nd6402420
Quarter-final Munster 43 – 9 Ospreys
2009–10 Pool 32nd6411220
Quarter-final Biarritz Olympique 29 – 28 Ospreys
2010–11 Pool 33rd6303214
2011–12 Pool 53rd6213313
2012–13 Pool 23rd6213212
2013–14 Pool 14th610515
2014–15 Pool 53rd611439
2015–16 Pool 23rd6303416
2017–18 Pool 23rd6213515
2019–20 Pool 44th600622
2021–22 Pool A12th400400
2022–23 Pool B5th4301214
Round of 16 Saracens 35 – 20 Ospreys
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European Challenge Cup

More information Season, Pool/Round ...
Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2016–17 Pool 21st6600630
Quarter-final Ospreys 21 – 25 Stade Français
2018–19 Pool 22nd6204513
2020–21 Prelim Stage2nd2[d]200210
Round of 16 Ospreys 24 – 28 Newcastle Falcons
2023–24 Pool 23rd4301214
Round of 16 Ospreys 23–15 Sale Sharks
Quarter-final Gloucester 23 – 13 Ospreys
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Anglo-Welsh Cup

More information Season, Group/Round ...
Season Group/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2005–06Group A3rd310226
2006–07Group A1st3300214
Semi-finalOspreys 27 – 10 Cardiff Blues
FinalLeicester Tigers 41 – 35 Ospreys
2007–08Group C1st3300214
Semi-finalOspreys 30 – 3 Saracens
FinalOspreys 23 – 6 Leicester Tigers
2008–09Group C1st3201210
Semi-finalGloucester 17 – 0 Ospreys
2009–10Pool 14th410315
2010–11Pool 43rd4301214
2011–12Pool 13rd410315
2012–13Pool 43rd410326
2013–14Pool 32nd410326
2014–15Pool 42nd410316
2016–17Pool 22nd4301315
2017–18Pool 44th410304
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  1. 11 teams were involved in this season, so one team did not play each week and were awarded 4 points instead.
    Therefore, each team finished the season with 8 more points than the table would seem to warrant.
  2. Only 15 rounds were played during the 2019–20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.[43]
  3. Only 16 rounds were played during the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, with the remaining matches replaced by the Pro14 Rainbow Cup competition.[44]
  4. Only 2 rounds of the preliminary stage were played before suspension due to new restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. A revised format to finish the competition involving the top 8 teams from the preliminary stage and knocked out teams from the Champions Cup was played thereafter.[45]

Home grounds

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Liberty Stadium

In their first two seasons, the Ospreys shared their home games between St Helen's (home ground of Swansea RFC) and The Gnoll (home ground of Neath RFC). Since their third season in 2005–06, they have played at the purpose-built 20,000 seat Liberty Stadium in Landore, Swansea, which is shared with Swansea City. The Liberty Stadium, with double the capacity of St Helen's, has seen a capacity crowd for the matches against international tourists Australia 'A' team (1 November 2006[46]) and against local rivals the Scarlets.[47] On 12 November 2010 the team played their first competitive fixture at the Brewery Field home ground of Bridgend Ravens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[48]

In July 2024, it was announced that the Ospreys would be leaving the Swansea.com Stadium after 20 years for the 2025/26 season to play in the newly renovated, yet former host ground, the St Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground. The Swansea Cricket Club will be leaving the ground they have occupied since 1875.[49][50]

Kit suppliers

From their foundation to the 2013–14 season, the Ospreys kit suppliers were Kooga. Between the seasons 2014–2017, BLK supplied the Ospreys kits.[51] Canterbury supplied the kits for the 2018–2021 seasons. Starting for the 2021/22 season, the Ospreys would form a kit partnership with Umbro.[52] This lasted until 2023 as in June of the same year, the Ospreys announced that they had signed a multi-year partnership with sportswear manufacturer Macron.[53]

Current standings

More information Team, P ...
2024–25 United Rugby Championship
as of 16 February 2025 : last match added Dragons v Glasgow		 watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1Ireland Leinster111100318142+17646208052
2Scotland Glasgow Warriors11803223193+13048247342
3South Africa Bulls10703269211+5835255235
4South Africa Sharks10703274249+2534364234
5Ireland Munster11605259260–142367031
6Wales Cardiff11515239279–4037386230
7Italy Benetton11515221279–5828385128
8Wales Scarlets11515243225+1826332327
9Scotland Edinburgh11407261272-1136374525
10South Africa Stormers11407253277–2433365324
11Ireland Connacht11407239266-2736355324
12South Africa Lions9504201199+224272123
13Wales Ospreys11416226227–129282323
14Ireland Ulster11407239266–2736393423
15Italy Zebre Parma11407165247–8221351320
16Wales Dragons111010205343–1392549138
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[54]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Champions Cup

Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2025–26 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

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    Current squad

    Summarize
    Perspective
    For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers § Ospreys.
    Ospreys United Rugby Championship squad[a]

    Props

    Hookers

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    Wings

    Fullbacks

    (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
    * denotes players qualified to play for Wales on residency or dual nationality.
    ST denotes players signed on a short-term basis.
    L denotes a player on loan at the club.
    Players and their allocated positions from the Ospreys website.[55]
    1. Taking into account signings and departures head of 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

    Development Squad

    Ospreys Development squad[a]

    Props

    • Wales Freddie Chapman
    • Wales Kian Hire
    • Wales Math Iorweth-Scott

    Hookers

    Locks

    • Wales Liam Edwards
    • Wales Rhys Thomas

    Back row

    • Wales Dan Gemine

    Scrum-halves

    • Wales Scott Whitlock

    Fly-halves

    • Wales Owen Erasmus

    Centres

    Wings

    • Wales Ieuan Cornelius
    • Wales Cori Lewis-Jenkins
    • Wales Connor Moyse

    Fullbacks

    • Wales Lewis Edwards
    (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
    * denotes players qualified to play for Wales on residency or dual nationality.
    Players and their allocated positions from the Ospreys website.[56]
    1. Taking into account signings and departures head of 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

    Management & Coaching staff

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    Perspective

    Management

    More information Position, Name ...
    Position Name Nationality
    Owner James Davies-Yandle  Wales
    CEO Lance Bradley  England
    Director Roger Blyth  Wales
    Corporate Brand Director Vacant
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    Coaching

    More information Position, Name ...
    Position Name Nationality
    Rugby General Manager Dan Griffiths  Wales
    Development Director Mike Ruddock  Wales
    Performance Director Corin Palmer  England
    Development Pathway Manager Gareth Walters  Wales
    Head Coach Mark Jones  Wales
    First Team Coach Duncan Jones  Wales
    Skills coach Richard Fussell  Wales
    Academy Skills coach Andrew Bishop  Wales
    Academy Skills coach James Hook  Wales
    Team Logistics Manager Dai Davies  Wales
    Head of Physical Performance Simon Church  Wales
    Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach Alex Lawson  Wales
    Strength & Conditioning Coach Josh Robinson  Wales
    Strength & Conditioning Coach Liam Thomas  Wales
    Medical Performance Manager Chris Towers  Wales
    Physiotherapist Matthew Bowen  Wales
    Physiotherapist Gavin Daglish  Wales
    Lead Doctor Simon Davies  Wales
    Head Analyst Aled Griffiths  Wales
    Analyst Dan Hiscocks  Wales
    Analyst Callum Nibblet  Wales
    Kit Custodian Shaun McAuliffe  Wales
    Admin Assistant/Travel Coordinator Lyn Jones  Wales
    Sports Psychologist Steve Mellalieu  Wales
    Graduate Sports Therapist Dan Maru  Wales
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    Notable players & coaches

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    Perspective
    See also: Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players

    Welsh Internationals

    The following players have represented Wales internationally and represented the Ospreys.[57] The years in brackets represent the years they played internationally, not necessarily for the Ospreys.

    British & Irish Lions

    The following players were selected for the British & Irish Lions touring squads while contracted to the Ospreys:[58]

    Centurions

    Players who have reached the 100 appearance mark for the Ospreys. The first numbers in brackets are the years they represented the Ospreys, while the second numbers in bold are the number of caps they received. Caps updated on 25 January 2025.[59]

    Non-Welsh internationals

    Non-Welsh players who have international caps who represented the Ospreys.[57]

    Former Coaches

    Honours

    ERC Elite Awards

    During the 10th anniversary season of the Heineken Cup, ERC, the tournament organisers, introduced the ERC Elite Awards to recognise players and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the tournament.

    Ospreys were awarded the ERC team award for playing 50 games.[60]

    Ospreys players who have been awarded 50 tournament caps are:[61]

    See also

    Footnotes

    External links

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