Photo via BBC Sport

Ospreylia: How Welsh club turned to a land down under

Ospreys have added significant Australian influence to their squad for the 2026-27 campaign, which begins on Saturday, 26 September, in Durban against the Sharks. Head coach Mark Jones may field a lineup containing up to one-third Australian personnel following an off-season recruitment drive that began unusually late in May due to institutional uncertainty.

The recent signings include former Australia skipper Liam Wright—who crossed for a try during pre-season action at Coventry—alongside fellow internationals Marika Koroibete and Lalakai Foketi, as well as fly-half Lawson Creighton. This influx of talent helps compensate for the high-profile departures of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.

The strategy followed the successful 2025 arrival of lock Ryan Smith, who was brought in after Adam Beard departed for Montpellier. Jones noticed Wright while evaluating match footage of Smith with the Queensland Reds, prompting the Welsh region to target athletes from the same background to foster immediate familiarity and team cohesion.

Beyond their contributions on the pitch, the coaching staff intends for the veteran contingent to mentor and accelerate the development of the club's rising domestic prospects.