Wales wing Rogers to join Ospreys from Scarlets

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. Lake injury a blow for Ospreys and worry for Wales 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.