The Ospreys return to St Helens without Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, and with their long-term futures still in the balance
When the Ospreys announced plans to return to St Helen’s, few would have predicted that there would be so many question marks over the region when the players disappeared from the redeveloped home of Swansea RFC. Welsh international captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake traveled to Gloucester for the Gallagher PREM side, with the team’s long-term future still in doubt and the WRU yet to decide whether the Ospreys will survive their plan to destroy one of the four regions.
Below The world of rugby presents an overview of the Welsh team’s chances for the new season. You’ll also be able to read our verdicts on each URC and Gallagher PREM team to meet the new season, which starts on Friday, September 25.
Discussion points about Ospreys
The existence of the Ospreys is the biggest news at all, following the collapse of a move by their owners, Y11, to buy Cardiff Rugby. The Ospreys have since signed a new professional rugby deal with the WRU in June. What it all means for the Ospreys when that deal comes to an end in 2027-28 is anybody’s guess.
In the summer, Chief Executive Officer Lance Bradley left and redeveloped the grounds in the St Helen’s region. That uncertainty surrounding the future of the Ospreys, however, has left the big players pondering their next move. A loss Jac Morgan and Goddess Lake is seismic, and Mark Jones’ job as a head coach is to try to keep all the messages and not think about the future.
Some interesting signings may help in this regard, notably Liam Wright, the former Australian back-row and captain who has come through a string of serious injuries and is notably eligible for Wales next September. Lalakai Foketi, fresh from playing with All Blacks center Quinn Tupae at the Chiefs, could be another good deal.
A key player
Back-five forward James Ratti cleaned up at the end of the season and it was easy to see why, praised for his physicality and ability to attract the attention of defenses with his ball carrying.
Against Wales, Dan Edwards will also be key after opting to stay in the region after being linked with Leicester Tigers.
Could this be the season Ospreys Morgan Morse makes his mark on the international stage? (Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
One to watch
Morgan Morse is yet to make a real run for Wales outside of a few minutes off the bench against New Zealand and South Africa last autumn. The back row has been overlooked for the Six Nations and the Nations, but there is undeniable talent there.
Trainer box
Jones, a 47-cap former Wales international, took over as head coach after Toby Booth left at the end of 2024. Richard Fussell, Richard Kelly and Duncan Jones are key lieutenants.
Prediction for Ospreys 2026-27
To surpass last season’s seven wins would be a nice surprise given all the off-field issues. We don’t see them matching last year’s 11th position.
Ospreys 2026-27 quotas
150-1
Vital statistics
The Ospreys had the lowest lineout success (83%) and the second-worst attacking pass (86%) last term.
Wales international winger Tom Rogers swapped Parc y Scarlets for St Helen’s this season (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Ospreys signing
- Tom Rogers (Scarlets, above)
- Dan John (Exeter Chiefs)
- Liam Wright (Queensland Reds)
- Lalakai Foketi (Chiefs)
- Lawson Creighton (NSW Waratahs)
Ospreys ddepartures
- Jac Morgan (Gloucester)
- Dewi Lake (Gloucester)
- Phil Cokanasiga (Gloucester)
- James Fender (Grenoble)
- Jack Walsh (Montauban)
- Max Nagy (Ealing)
- Tom Florence (Ealing)
- Daniel Kasende (Lions)
- Connor Moyse (London, Scotland)
- Ryan Conbeer (Bridgend Ravens)
- Luke Scully (released)
- Will Greatbanks (published)
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