Ospreys announce development plans

Young pretender: The likes of Martin Roberts will benefit from the development side

The Ospreys will field a development side next season in a move to bridge the gap between their senior side and their academy.

In a move approved by the Welsh Rugby Union the development side will play as many as ten games throughout the season, including cross-border fixtures.

"We see these type of fixtures being crucial to our plans," Ospreys Director of Rugby Kevin Hopkins told BBC Sport Wales.

"They will provide regular rugby for squad players and the young talent from the academy.

"The matches will also give an opportunity for players to step up from the Premiership in a controlled environment, where individual performances are what matters most and where league position or cup survival aren't at stake .

"We experimented with such a set-up towards the end of the 2006/7 season with two friendlies against The Dragons and Worcester.

"The games were a huge success in terms of the development of young players, and also, in creating strong links across the region with the clubs that hosted the fixtures.

"We are in the process of speaking to other clubs and regions with a view to putting together a fixture list for an Ospreys Development side that will allow the coaches regular opportunities to bring these players together for meaningful fixtures.

"This will allow supporters to keep an eye on the next generation of talent as they take the next step towards becoming fully fledged Ospreys."

The move could see the other three Welsh regions follow suit, although the Cardiff Blues have already used such a team. In 2006 the Blues Development side beat development sides from both Leicester and Leeds.