Club: Neath Swansea Ospreys
Last season: 1st
Odds for the title: 9/4
Season opener: away v Blues, 31st August
Ins
Aled Brew (back after a season-long loan at the Dragons), Mike Phillips (Blues), Ian Gough (Dragons), Mark Taylor (Sale), Jonathan Spratt (Neath RFC), Marty Holah (Waikato Chiefs)
Outs
Lee Beach (Neath RFC), Jason Spice (Blues), Richard Mustoe (season-long loan to the Dragons), Tal Selley (season-long loan to the Blues), Chris Martenko (retired), David Bishop (loan to Bridgend Ravens), Nick Griffiths (Pertemps Bees), Matthew Jones (six-month loan to Moseley)
The director preview
Ospreys’ director of rugby Kevin Hopkins tells how his side are hoping to become back-to-back champs
Champions last term, how happy were you with that?
I think we had very good season, we won the Magners Leagues, got to the final of EDF Energy Cup (and were only a couple of points away from a very good Leicester side), and then found ourselves a 50m kick away from a quarter final in Europe. I’m always positive and if actually look at it, we were four and a half games away from a treble!
Can you regain the title, nobody’s done it before?
In any sport it’s very difficult to retain a title, but we’re very pleased to have won the league in two out of the four years it’s been running – that’s a great record. Our focus is very much back to the job now and while the first couple of months will be difficult without the Welsh players, it’s the same for every side.
What was the plan with recruitment?
We did bear the World Cup in mind but it did include current Welsh players – a couple of our signings are involved. Plus, Marty Holah isn’t arriving until after the World Cup. But we have brought in Mark Taylor for his experience and a couple of youngsters that we’ll look to develop a bit. We’ve been very good at developing young players and that’s something we’re proud of and what to continue with this squad.
The Holah signing was certainly good for business?
It’s a measure of the improvement in the Magners League that top quality players are coming over here because they see the standard of the rugby. They’re talking to colleagues who are already here about the league and being encouraged by what they here.
But presumably we don’t want too many overseas players?
I think when the Welsh regions set up the aim was to develop Welsh players and we must remember that – we’re certainly pleased by the number of internationals we’ve developed over the years. We’ve signed six young talented players this season and we’ve also shown our commitment to current players by extending their contracts. We want to progress but we also won’t forget why we’re here.
Mike Phillips and Justin Marshall – should be a good battle?
We’ve got two top class scrum-halves because we have to make sure we have good competition in all areas. You have to have strength in depth in your squad because with loss of form and injuries you don’t know what might happen. Plus you’ve got the international games and the World Cup which means a lot of our Welsh players won’t, hopefully, be available until after October 20 – I believe that’s the date of the World Cup final!
Away to the Blues first, a tough start
Yes, we’ve known for a while we would kick off with two Welsh derbies and it’s a great way to start the season and get the interest going!
Which sides should we be looking out for?
I think all the Welsh regions have signed some great signings and I think Leinster will do extremely well, as will Ulster. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the Scottish sides do well – Glasgow particularly.
Glasgow the dark horses, then?
They finished last season well and they’ve always been difficult to beat at home. Now, with some of the signings they’ve made, it will be interesting to see what they can do away from home.
Supporters’ prediction: 1st. “The Holah and Phillips signings are very astute and we’ve really got the young talent to help us through without the World Cup players. Then when the internationals come back we’ll be unstoppable.” Sion Rees, Neath.
rucked.com prediction: 2nd. Will undoubtedly be one of the sides to beat, but just feel the strength of the Irish will batter them into runners-up spot.