Steve is a nice guy - I’m really pleased for him He was (probably) promoted to Head Coach of the Ospreys far too early in his career - but he seems to have found a niche for himself as a Defence coach. So no English and Irish involvement on the coaching team - looks like the Jocks will now have a few (playing) tourists as well
Porter must be gutted but injuries are inevitable unfortunately. No doubt Sinckler's a good player but that short fuse will definitely be tested by the Boks! I'm so looking forward to the Lions tour, I love it.
More South African sides join the Pro 14. Sharks, Stormers, Lions and Bulls will play alongside the 12 existing sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in a 16-team league. Not doing a lot to lower their carbon footprint
There was talk 3 to 4 years ago of adding 2 teams from North America, plus possibly a German side. If these SA teams play in Europe, it could significantly affect the finances of the NZ & Aussie Rugby Unions, given the financial benefits brought by the Bokke
The Ospreys can announce European Champions Cup and English Premiership winner Elvis Taione has signed a one-year deal with the Liberty Stadium side. The experienced hooker will join the regional rugby franchise from European and English champions Exeter Chiefs for the new season. The Tongan international was part of his country’s 2015 World Cup squad and played Super Rugby for the Western Force and the Waratahs in Australia before a spell with the Jersey Reds in the English Championship. Taione follows Welsh international prop and Exeter teammate Tomas Francis in signing for the Ospreys. He joined Exeter in 2014, playing a key role in the Chiefs emergence as a dominant force in English and European rugby. The 29-times capped Taione has forged reputation as a powerful scrummager and an ability to score tries. Elvis Taione, Ospreys and Tonga hooker, said: “I spoke to Toby and his vision for the Ospreys just excited me and he pretty much sold it to me straight away. “I am a competitive person and he is trying to build competition in the squad and sees a clear role for me. “Tom Francis and myself both moved to Exeter in the same season and now we are both leaving and moving to the Ospreys in the same season. “He followed me to Exeter and now I am following him to Swansea. All I have heard about the Ospreys is really positive and I know there are really humble people in Swansea. “I see the Ospreys being in a similar place to where Exeter were when I joined them, and I just hope my experience can help the team develop. “Playing the South African teams was another part that excited me. I love the physical side of rugby and they will be a real challenge and one you have to be excited about.” Elvis Taione “PLAYING THE SOUTH AFRICAN TEAMS WAS ANOTHER PART THAT EXCITED ME. I LOVE THE PHYSICAL SIDE OF RUGBY AND THEY WILL BE A REAL CHALLENGE AND ONE YOU HAVE TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.” Toby Booth, Ospreys Head Coach, said: “Elvis has a proven track record in a title winning Premiership team and the foundation of that success was built on a dominant set piece. “Those experiences along with the understanding of a strong team culture with the Chiefs can really add to our potential as a team."
The Ospreys are certainly moving in the right direction, exciting times ahead hopefully. Glad to see you've resisted the Elvis puns Taff. And please don't take that as your cue either!
Do you think i could get in the Guinness book of world records for fastest regret when hitting a" post reply" button?