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A group of former players are fighting for the future of the Ospreys
Former Ospreys players have offered to meet with Welsh Rugby Union bosses amid fears for the club’s future and are adamant a reduction to three professional clubs will not lead to success.
The group of ex-players include Shane Williams, Gavin Henson, Tommy Bowe, James Hook, Ryan Jones, Paul James and Richard Hibbard, among others. Last week Ospreys owners Y11 Sports & Media were revealed as the WRU’s preferred owners of Cardiff Rugby and have been given a period of exclusivity which will last up to 90 days.
If a deal is agreed Y11 will own both the Ospreys and Cardiff until at least the conclusion of the 2026/27 season.
Y11’s bid to buy Cardiff has thrown the redevelopment of St Helen’s into doubt, with Swansea Council unwilling to release funds until they have a guarantee by the WRU the Ospreys will be playing professional rugby beyond the 2026/27 season.
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The Ospreys have been the most successful side in Wales since the inception of regional rugby in 2003, with four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup.
The likes of Barrie Williams, Ian Gough and former coaches and staff including Sean Holley, also signed the statement
“We support the call made by Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart for the WRU and Y11 to pause the current process and rethink their approach,” read the statement from a group of former Ospreys.
“What is being proposed puts at risk the future of professional rugby across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and the redevelopment of an historic rugby venue at St Helen’s.
“A lack of long-term investment and clear planning by previous regimes has left Welsh rugby in a difficult place. But real progress will only come through working together.
“Change is needed, but it must be built through partnership, not imposed by one side alone.
“Cutting a team comes with no guarantee of future success. We believe it more likely to lead to the opposite scenario, with Welsh rugby caught in a downward spiral.”
Former Ospreys Players statement in full:
As former Ospreys, we feel the time is right to speak up and show our support for the current players and staff during what is clearly a very difficult and uncertain time. It’s hard to imagine the pressure they’re under, yet they continue to perform with pride in the badge, and absolute commitment – just as we saw again on Saturday.
Mark Jones and his coaching team deserve huge credit for the way they are leading in the middle of all this uncertainty. Unfortunately, both the WRU and Y11 have provided very little clarity about their plans, and even now, after the announcement of a preferred buyer for Cardiff, there is still no real explanation of what this means for the Ospreys.
We support the call made by Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart for the WRU and Y11 to pause the current process and rethink their approach. What is being proposed puts at risk the future of professional rugby across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and the redevelopment of an historic rugby venue at St Helen’s.
It is also important to recognise how little support these proposals appear to have across the wider Welsh rugby community. In particular, Ospreys and Cardiff supporters are united in their opposition and their concern about the future for their respective teams.
Following the restructure in 2003 Welsh rugby enjoyed an incredible period of success, a golden era that compares to any other.
Six Six Nations titles, four Grand Slams (more than any other nation in this period) and sustained international competitiveness were built on four strong teams. Three of the four professional teams have lifted major trophies, and only Leinster have won the Celtic League more times than the Ospreys.
Sport always goes in cycles. There are highs and lows, good years and tough years. No team wins everything, all of the time. You don’t quit because you didn’t win. You work harder, adapt, change and rebuild. The challenges are what make the successes more special.
A lack of long-term investment and clear planning by previous regimes has left Welsh rugby in a difficult place. But real progress will only come through working together. Change is needed, but it must be built through partnership, not imposed by one side alone.
Cutting a team comes with no guarantee of future success. We believe it more likely to lead to the opposite scenario, with Welsh rugby caught in a downward spiral.
For many of us, it was impossible not to notice the scenes in Galway at the weekend, where a record crowd celebrated the opening of Connacht’s redeveloped stadium.
That happened because when presented with the same challenges the IRFU listened to the weight of public opinion, paused, and changed direction. It is not too late for the WRU to do the same.
We know the road ahead will be bumpy but we firmly believe that Welsh rugby can recover if there is a clear, stable and shared vision.
What the game needs is confidence, consistency and collaboration — not constant shifts in direction, where four teams, then two, then three are all presented as the “optimal” solution within a single year.
Between us, we have decades of experience at the highest level of the game and a deep connection to the Ospreys, our community clubs and the national team.
We are ready to meet with the WRU, individually or collectively, to share that experience and help shape a positive future for Welsh rugby.
Our Blood Is Black.
Former Ospreys
