Ospreys future 'positive' as Scarlets set to sign WRU deal

Head coach Mark Jones believes the future is looking brighter for Ospreys after their owners pulled out of a bid to buy Cardiff.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) confirmed on Wednesday that Y11 Sport & Media, chosen as preferred bidder in January, had withdrawn its offer for the Arms Park club.

Ospreys, along with Scarlets, have been invited to sign a new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) that Cardiff and Dragons are already on.

That deal runs to 2030, but the WRU has the option to serve a two-year notice period and intends to press on with their plan to cut from four professional clubs to three.

Nonetheless, Jones is relieved that his club is at least able to plan to 2028.

"It's positive news for Welsh rugby in general, not just the Ospreys," said the former Wales wing.

"With limited information at the moment, the outlook is certainly looking a lot more positive over the next couple of seasons.

"If everything is signed off then we get some security around all areas of the agreement for another season on top of next year.

"That definitely helps around staffing, player recruitment, retention and general morale. It's a big help for everybody."

Ospreys, who will move to St Helen's in Swansea next season after playing at Bridgend's Brewery Field in 2025-26, have had to perform amid uncertainty throughout the campaign.

Jones kept his squad informed about the impending developments around Y11's Cardiff takeover and was able to deliver confirmation at training.

"Sometimes me and other staff members have had to deliver not such positive news and you are always worried about how it's going to affect the group," he said.

"This certainly seems to have affected the group in a positive way if you look at how the training session went in terms of the body language. They look like they're in a good place off the back of it."

Ospreys, who still have slim play-off hopes, travel to seventh-placed Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship on Friday (19:00 BST).

Frustration after loss of Morgan and Lake

Image caption,

Dewi Lake captained Wales in the 2026 Six Nations because Jac Morgan was injured

Ospreys have a bit more clarity for the next two seasons but Welsh rugby's latest saga has led to two of their leading players heading for the exit.