Jones says recruitment is tough for Ospreys
With the Ospreys' future as a professional side only guaranteed until the end of next season adding to Mark Jones squad is "a hard sell".
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones is a former Wales wing [Huw Evans Picture Agency] 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. " Ospreys get go-ahead for St Helen's return Swansea Council seeks high court injunction against WRU 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.