OSPREYS: Ten players confirmed leaving at end of season — including shock exit of fan favourite Kasende

The Ospreys have confirmed ten players will leave the club when the current season ends — bringing the curtain down on a period of significant squad movement as the region prepares for its first season at St Helen’s.

The headline departures — Wales captain Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake — were confirmed as long ago as December, with both heading to Gloucester. Morgan signed off his Ospreys career in style, delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the final west Wales derby earlier this month, while Lake’s farewell was cut short by a shoulder injury that ended his season prematurely.

Morgan has made 51 appearances for the club, captained both the Ospreys and Wales, and toured with the British and Irish Lions. Lake has made 71 appearances and led Wales on multiple occasions — both products of the Ospreys development pathway who will leave significant voids to fill.

The biggest surprise on the list will be the departure of Dan Kasende. The 31-year-old wing and fullback, born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, joined the Ospreys on a permanent deal from the Toyota Cheetahs in October 2024 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular figures in the squad — known for his aerial prowess, high work rate and knack for scoring crucial tries.

Phil Cokanasiga is also heading to Gloucester, joining Morgan and Lake at Kingsholm. The centre has provided physicality and ball-carrying threat throughout his time with the club.

Ryan Conbeer departs after a spell in which the Ospreys have already moved to secure his replacement — Wales international Tom Rogers arriving from the Scarlets for next season.

Jack Walsh, the versatile utility back, is heading to Montauban in the French Top 14 — having chosen that opportunity over the prospect of pursuing Welsh qualification by residency.

James Fender, the second row, heads to Grenoble in the French PRO D2.

Fellow second row Will Greatbanks also departs. The 22-year-old is English-born but spent much of his youth in France and is Welsh-qualified through his Welsh-born father — he joined the Ospreys ahead of the 2024/25 season from Soyaux Angoulême.

Centre Tom Florence, a Bridgend product who came through the Ospreys academy, leaves after a stop-start spell — with Ealing Trailfinders understood to be a potential destination for the 22-year-old.

Outside-half Luke Scully, a former Wales U20s international, also departs after failing to nail down a regular starting berth.

The ten departures stand in contrast to a busy period of contract renewals. Since December, the Ospreys have tied down Sam Parry, Dan Edwards, Keelan Giles, Morgan Morse, Harri Deaves, Lewis Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Garyn Phillips, Evardi Boshoff and Tom Botha — with the club building stability around a core of academy graduates and experienced performers.

The club is also understood to be active in the recruitment market, targeting an outside-half and a backrower ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The Ospreys are still yet to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement with the WRU — a backdrop that continues to complicate long-term planning as the union presses ahead with its plan to reduce professional rugby in Wales from four teams to three by 2028/29.

The club thanked all ten departing players for their dedication throughout their time at the region.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Morgan inspires Ospreys to derby day win over Scarlets
Jac Morgan delivered a man-of-the-match farewell performance in the west Wales derby earlier this month.

Injury to end Lake’s Ospreys farewell prematurely
Dewi Lake’s final season at the Ospreys was cut short by a shoulder injury requiring surgery.

Wales international Rogers signs for Ospreys
Tom Rogers arrives from the Scarlets to bolster the Ospreys’ back three ahead of next season.

WRU: Ospreys and Scarlets still haven’t signed Welsh rugby’s new deal
The PRA25 agreement remains unsigned four weeks after the Ospreys announced their intention to commit.

WRU vows to fix system after Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake exits

Double blow sparks urgent response

The departures of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have been described as a hammer blow for both the Ospreys and Welsh rugby as a whole.

The WRU is already in the process of restructuring the professional game, with plans to cut the number of regional teams from four to three. But the exits raise fears that Wales’ best players could increasingly be based in England.

“We want Welsh talent at the heart of the system”

A WRU spokesperson said:

“We are striving to build a world‑class system in Wales to maximise the potential for the success of our professional clubs and national teams.

We want Welsh talent to be at the heart of the system. We are, of course, disappointed when players leave the system in Wales.

But we are also realistic that top‑class players will get opportunities to explore new experiences and to challenge themselves as they develop their careers.”

Contracts guaranteed, academy to return

The WRU says all existing player contracts have been guaranteed, with financial support pledged for new signings. Letters have been sent to regional clubs and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association confirming backing for priority deals.

Plans also include the return of a national academy to strengthen the pathway and produce more elite players.

Still eligible for Wales

Both Morgan and Lake will remain eligible to represent Wales despite signing for Gloucester. The controversial 25‑cap law is currently under review.

The WRU added:

“As we work to create a truly world‑class rugby environment in Wales in the next years, we hope that players like Jac and Dewi – and others – will come back to Wales. We wish them both the very best in the meantime – and we still have them at the heart of our national game from an international perspective.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Jac Morgan to leave Ospreys at end of season
Ospreys captain confirms Gloucester move after 51 appearances and Lions tour.

Dewi Lake to join Gloucester at end of season
Wales hooker and Ospreys stalwart announces departure after 71 appearances for the club.

#DewiLake #GloucesterRugby #JacMorgan #Ospreys #Rugby #WalesRugby #WelshRugby #WRU

Jac Morgan to leave Ospreys at end of season

Lions star bids farewell

Since making his debut, Jac Morgan has racked up 51 appearances for the Ospreys, captained both club and country, earned his Wales debut and toured with the British and Irish Lions.

Head Coach Mark Jones said:

“I think I speak for everyone at the club when I say Jac will be sorely missed. He is a tremendous player and leader that always gives his all when he is on the pitch.

As a club, we have always done our upmost to keep our most talented players, and that certainly was the case with Jac. Unfortunately, these matters are sometimes taken out of your hands, especially under the current circumstances in Welsh rugby.”

“Ospreys will always hold a special place”

Jac Morgan said:

“This was an extremely difficult decision for me to make, but I hope our supporters can understand the reasoning behind me wanting to pursue a new challenge.

The Ospreys is a club that will always hold a special place in my heart… I am looking forward to the new challenge ahead, but until then I will be working hard to get back to full fitness and giving 100% for the team until the end of the season.”

#GloucesterRugby #JacMorgan #Ospreys #Rugby #WalesRugby #WelshRugby

Ammanford charity teams up with WRU and Royal Foundation to open mental health hub at Principality Stadium

The Jac Lewis Foundation, set up in the Carmarthenshire town in memory of local footballer Jac Lewis, will run weekly drop‑in sessions at the stadium offering free, confidential support from qualified counsellors.

The service, which opens on Wednesday 17 September, was unveiled on World Suicide Prevention Day during a visit by the WRU’s Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Expanding reach from Ammanford to the national stadium

The hub is based on the Foundation’s existing model at other sporting venues, including Swansea City AFC, and will operate one day a week for the next three years with funding from The Royal Foundation.

It forms part of the WRU’s wider player welfare strategy, complementing initiatives such as the ‘Rugby Safe’ training programme and safeguarding policies.

Jac Morgan: “A charity close to my heart”

Wales international and British & Irish Lion Jac Morgan, who grew up in the Ammanford area, attended the launch alongside Men’s Head Coach Steve Tandy.

Jac Morgan said:

“It was great to be here today for the Jac Lewis Foundation, which is expanding into Cardiff. They’ll be holding drop‑in sessions weekly at the Principality Stadium with support from both the WRU and The Royal Foundation.

The Jac Lewis Foundation was set up in Ammanford, which is where I went to school. So it’s a charity that I’ve been aware of and known for a number of years. There’s a lot of volunteers I know from that charity who were here today. It’s been great hearing the different activities and workshops they do and how much support they’ve given to people in the community.”

The Jac Lewis Foundation works to reduce stigma around mental health, provide accessible professional support, and train community wellbeing mentors.

The WRU says the new hub will be open to anyone in the rugby community or wider public seeking help.

#Ammanford #Charity #HRHPrinceWilliam #HRHThePrinceOfWales #JacLewisFoundation #JacMorgan #mentalHealth #Rugby #SteveTandy #WRU

Wales and Ospreys star Morgan brings festive cheer to Swansea children’s ward

The flanker, who also plays for the Ospreys, found a few budding rugby stars and was able to give them good advice for their future careers.

It’s the third year running that Jac has visited the ward to spread some Christmas cheer alongside his sponsor A.T. Morgan & Son of Swansea.

The haulage firm are regular fundraisers for our official charity, Swansea Bay Health Charity, having donated more than £12,000 over the past three years, which they have raised through a variety of events including a truck pull.

The truck pull will also be back in September next year raising funds for the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital.

Fundraising support manager Lewis Bradley said:

“We’re extremely grateful to A.T. Morgan & Son for being a long-term partner of Swansea Bay Health Charity, having contributed an exceptional amount of money over the past three years.

“We would also like to thank Jac for taking time out from his busy schedule to come and visit the ward once again. There was a lot of up and coming talent on the ward who also play flanker, so they were in disbelief that Jac had come to visit.”

[Lead image: Swansea Bay University Health Board]

#ATMorganSon #featured #JacMorgan #MorristonHospital #Ospreys