Ospreys
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Welsh Rugby Regions 2003

The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys^[1] (Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe), are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League, Powergen Cup and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. At the start of the 2005-2006 season, they dropped Neath and Swansea from their name to become simply the Ospreys, although the company is still Neath-Swansea Ospreys. Image File history File links Ospreys_new_badge. ... Neath-Swansea Ospreys Kit - Home File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Neath-Swansea Ospreys Kit - Away File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Welsh Rugby regions 2004 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ... General phase play in rugby union. ... The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ... The Powergen Cup (centre) seen in the London Irish clubhouse at Sunbury in 2002. ... The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... The European Challenge Cup in rugby union, known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003, is the sister competition to the Heineken Cup. ...

History

The Ospreys are one of the five original clubs of the Welsh Regional Rugby Era. The club came into being in the summer of 2003 when the WRU controversially elected to reduce the current top tier of Welsh professional rugby from nine clubs into five regions, attempting to mirror the successful formats in Ireland and the Southern Hemisphere countries of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) (Welsh: Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board. ... Southern Hemisphere The Southern Hemisphere is the half of a planets surface (or celestial sphere) that is south of the equator (the word hemisphere literally means half ball). On Earth it contains five continents (Antarctica, Australia, most of South America, parts of Africa, and Asia) as well as four...

The Ospreys represent the whole of the Neath and Swansea areas in western Glamorgan, including areas of the Upper Swansea Valley, also encompassing Port Talbot and Aberavon. They were initially created as a partnership between the area's two most successful clubs - Neath RFC and Swansea RFC - who still retain ownership of the club on a 50:50 basis. Neath (Welsh: Castell-Nedd) is a town and community with a population of approximately 45,898, located on the river of the same name (Welsh: Afon Nedd) in the traditional county of Glamorgan, south Wales. ... Swansea (Welsh: Abertawe, mouth of the Tawe) is a city and county in South Wales in the United Kingdom, situated on the coast immediately to the east of the Gower Peninsula. ... Glamorgan or Morgannwg is a maritime traditional county of Wales, UK, and was previously a medieval kingdom or principality. ... Arms of Port Talbot Port Talbot is an industrial town in the traditional county of Glamorgan, south Wales, UK, with a population of approximately 50,000. ... // Club history Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ... Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ...

In the summer of 2004, due to the liquidation of the Celtic Warriors region, Neath-Swansea Ospreys had their borders extended to cover much of the Bridgend and Ogmore areas to the east. However, for logistical reasons, it was decided that no "home" games would be played at Bridgend RFC's Brewery Field. The Celtic Warriors were a regional Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... Bridgend (Welsh: Pen-y-bont) is a town in the traditional county of Glamorgan and the main town in the county borough of Bridgend. ... Ogmore (Welsh: Ogwr) is a village in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales on the River Ogmore. ... Brewery Field is a multi-use stadium in Bridgend, Wales. ...

After initial teething problems, which were inevitable given the storied historical rivalry between the two clubs, the Ospreys have settled down and claim to be Wales' 'one true region' thanks to the demise of the Celtic Warriors. Presented with initially one of the weaker squads (especially in depth) they performed admirably in their first year, earning by right a place in the 2004/05 European Rugby Cup. In 2004/5 they won the Celtic League. The Celtic Warriors were a regional Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ...

In April 2006 it was announced that noted former New Zealand All Blacks half back (scrum half) Justin Marshall had signed to play for Ospreys. First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 The international rugby union team of New Zealand are... The scrum-half is a rugby position also referred to as the half back. It is usually the strongest man in the back line as he will spend a large percentage of his time up with the forwards. ... Date of Birth: 5 August 1973 Place of Birth: Gore, New Zealand Height: 1. ...

Home ground

In their first two seasons, the Ospreys shared their home games between Swansea's St. Helen's ground (home of Swansea RFC) and Neath's The Gnoll ground (home of Neath RFC). Swansea (Welsh: Abertawe, mouth of the Tawe) is a city and county in South Wales in the United Kingdom, situated on the coast immediately to the east of the Gower Peninsula. ... The ward of Uplands is located in the city of Swansea. ... Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ... Neath (Welsh: Castell-Nedd) is a town and community with a population of approximately 45,898, located on the river of the same name (Welsh: Afon Nedd) in the traditional county of Glamorgan, south Wales. ... // Club history Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ... // Club history Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. ...

From their third season, 2005-2006, the Ospreys home ground is the newly developed 20,200 seater Liberty Stadium in Landore. Their record attendance since moving to the Liberty Stadium is 18,412 achieved on Friday 26th August 2005 in a Freindly match against London Wasps. The Liberty Stadium, formerly the New Stadium and White Rock, is a purpose-built sports and concert arena in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. ...

Statistics

Celtic League

The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ...

Celtic League Cup

The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ... Leinster Lions are one of four provincial teams in Ireland, Ulster, Munster and Connacht being the others. ...

European Rugby Cup

The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... The 2004-5 Heineken Cup (the rugby club championship of Europe) is the tenth of the series. ... The 2003-4 Heineken Cup (the rugby club championship of Europe) is the ninth of the series. ...

Notable players

Current

• Huw Bennett (Hooker) - Wales International
• Barry Williams (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
• Richie Pugh (Back Row) - Wales International
• Jono Gibbes (Back Row) - New Zealand International
• Justin Marshall (Scrum-half) - New Zealand International
• Filo Tiatia (Back Row) - New Zealand International
• Lee Byrne (Full-back) - Wales International
• Taliesin Selley (Wing) - Wales International
• Ian Evans (Lock) - Wales International
• Alun Wyn Jones (Lock) - Wales International
• Richard Hibbard (Hooker) - Wales International
• Nikki Walker (Wing) - Scotland International

Henson in a Nike ad. ... Jonathan Thomas (born 27 December 1982 in Pembroke) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays at flanker for the Ospreys at club level and for Wales. ... Shane Williams (born 26 February 1977 in Swansea) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a winger for the Ospreys club and Wales but who can also play scrum-half. ... Brent Cockbain (born 15 November 1974 in New South Wales) is a Welsh rugby union player who has won 20 caps for Wales as a lock. ... Ryan Paul Jones (born 13 March 1981 in Newport) is a rugby union player who plays number 8 for the Ospreys and Wales. ... Richie Pugh (born 10 August 1983 in Swansea) is a rugby union player who plays openside flanker for the Ospreys and Wales. ... Jonathan Brian Gibbes (born 22 January 1977) is a New Zealand rugby union player who captains Waikato NPC, Waikato Chiefs and the New Zealand Māori rugby union team, and has appeared in various All Blacks teams. ... Date of Birth: 5 August 1973 Place of Birth: Gore, New Zealand Height: 1. ...

Former

• Gareth Llewellyn (Lock) - Wales International; most-capped Welsh player
• Scott Gibbs (Centre) - Wales International
• Mefin Davies (Hooker) - Wales International
• Adrian Cashmore (Full-back) - New Zealand International
• Leigh Davies (Centre) - Wales International

Gareth Llewellyn (born 24 February 1969 in Bridgend) is a Welsh rugby union player who gained a record 92 caps for Wales as a lock. ... Scott Gibbs (Born 23 January 1971 in Bridgend) is a former rugby union footballer who represented Wales and the Lions in Union and Wales and Great Britain in League. ...

Club honours

• Celtic League 2005

The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ...

See also

• Celtic League
• Heineken Cup
• European Rugby Shield

The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ... The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... The European Challenge Cup in rugby union, known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003, is the sister competition to the Heineken Cup. ...

Footnotes

1. ^ The Ospreys is the brand name of the team, since they now have more associates than just Neath and Swansea. The official name of the company behind the team is still Neath-Swansea Ospreys (see also Ospreys Outrage! and Neath RFC - Ospreys fly!)

External links

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