OSPREYS: Parry and Watkin take the armband for a season of firsts

Sam Parry and Owen Watkin have been named co-captains of the Ospreys, taking charge of a side changed almost beyond recognition over the summer.

The Wales pair succeed Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, the captain and vice-captain who both left for Gloucester, in a close season that also saw chief executive Lance Bradley step down and Dan Kasande, Jack Walsh, James Fender and Phil Cokanasiga move on.

Both men reached for the same thing when asked what it meant: the honours board in the team room.

“You go into the team room and you see the names that have led the team previously, some world-class players and people on that board, so to be able to join them is a massive honour and something I’m massively proud of,” hooker Parry said.

“You’re looking at some of the legends that are on the boards, and to have that opportunity is a massive honour,” centre Watkin added. “I’m just super proud and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”

What they inherit is a squad rebuilt largely from abroad. Three Australians arrived over the summer in Wallaby captain Liam Wright, centre Lalakai Foketi and fly-half Lawson Creighton, before 63-cap wing Marika Koroibete followed last week.

Wales back Tom Rogers also crossed from the Scarlets.

“The Aussie boys have fitted in seamlessly and brought their own energy,” Parry said.

“Tommy Rogers, coming from the Scarlets as well, he’s fitted in really well. Obviously he knew a lot of the boys beforehand, but it’s a really exciting group. It’s a good blend of different ages and even cultures.”

The season begins a long way from home. The Ospreys open their United Rugby Championship campaign against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday 26 September, before the altitude of Ellis Park and the Emirates Lions a week later.

Watkin sees an opportunity in that.

“Being able to go to South Africa for the first two weeks of the season gives us a great opportunity to spend some time together off the field,” he said.

“As an Osprey, we always pride ourselves on the team. It’s never going to go away, we’re never going to give up, so that mindset isn’t going to change this year. When it does get tough, which it will, it’s how we come together, how hard we’re going to work for one another.”

Waiting for them on their return is a home they have never played in. The region moves into a redeveloped St Helen’s this season, with the first home fixture against the Dragons on 24 October.

“It’s something to really be excited about, just a new venue for us, and I think the boys will really look forward to it,” Watkin said.

“If we can really make it a tough place for teams to come, it’s really going to play in our favour over the next couple of months.”

Parry framed it as something closer to a homecoming.

“A place where we can call home and really bed ourselves in, and just make it feel like home, and then the performances we put in show how proud we are to play there and play for the people that support us,” he said.

That relationship with the stands matters more than usual this year, with the region fighting the Scarlets for the last west Wales licence under the Welsh Rugby Union’s three-team plan.

“It’s really key to keep a strong relationship between us, the fans, the community, everyone in the area,” Watkin said. “We can do that by how we play at the weekend, the results we get, and as a squad just sticking really tight through the tough times and the really good times.”

Parry put it more simply. “If people, when they come to watch, see a team of 23 that are fighting for each other, I think that will go a long way for us this season.”

There is plenty to improve on. The Ospreys finished 11th in the URC last season and went out of the European Challenge Cup in the round of 16.

Pre-season is under way, with Coventry visiting the Nick Newbold Stadium this week before a trip to face Ulster at the Affidea Stadium on Friday 11 September.