The Neath-Swansea Ospreys (Welsh Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe) are a regional Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield.

Club History

The Ospreys are one of the five original regions of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era. The club came into being in the summer of 2003 when the WRU elected to reduce the current top tier of Welsh Professional Rugby from nine clubs into five regions, effectively mirroring the successful formats in Ireland and the Southern Hemisphere countries of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The Ospreys represent the whole of the Neath and Swansea areas, also encompassing Port Talbot and Aberavon. They were created by merging the area's two most successful clubs - Neath RFC and Swansea RFC - who still retain ownership of the club on a 50:50 basis.

In the summer of 2004, due to the liquidation of the Celtic Warriors region, Neath-Swansea Ospreys have had their borders extended to also cover much of the Bridgend, Ogmore and Vale of Glamorgan areas to the east. However, for logistical reasons, it was decided that no "home" games would be played at Bridgend's Brewery Field .

After initial teething problems, which were inevitable given the storied historical rivalry between the two clubs, the Ospreys have settled down to becomes Wales' only true merged regional team thanks to the demise of the Celtic Warriors. Presented with initially one of the weaker squads (especially in depth) they have performed admirably in their first year, earning by right a place in the 2004/05 European Rugby Cup

Home Ground

The Ospreys currently share their home games between Swansea's St.Helens ground (home of Swansea RFC ) and Neath's The Gnoll ground (home of Neath RFC).

However they plan to move into the newly developed 20,000 seater stadium in Swansea once work is completed in 2005.

Statistics

Celtic League

Celtic League Cup

European Rugby Cup

Notable Current Players

• Huw Bennett (Hooker) - Wales International
• Gavin Henson (Outside-Half) - Wales International
• Adam Jones (Prop) - Wales International
• Paul James (Prop) - Wales International
• Duncan Jones (Prop) - Wales International
• Stefan Terblanche (Wing) - South Africa International
• Jonathan Thomas (Back Row) - Wales International
• Shane Williams (Wing) - Wales International
• Brent Cockbain (Lock) - Wales International
• Sonny Parker (Centre) - Wales International
• Ryan Jones (Back Row) - Wales International
• Andy Lloyd (Back Row) - Wales International
• James Bater (Back Row) - Wales International

Notable Former Players

• Gareth Llewelyn (Lock) - Wales International
• Scott Gibbs (Centre) - Wales International
• Mefin Davies (Hooker) - Wales International

See also

• Celtic League
• Heineken Cup
• European Rugby Shield

External Links

• Neath-Swansea Ospreys (official site)
• Aberavon RFC (official site)
• Bridgend RFC (official site)
• Neath RFC (official site)
• Swansea RFC (official site)