14,040 hours. 842,400 minutes.
By the time we can welcome you back, that is how much time will have elapsed since we last saw you in the stadium. We’ve been counting each day, hour, and minute. It’s been a long time.
But on October 2nd, all that will have been forgotten.
On October 2nd, you can wake up with those butterflies in your belly.
October 2nd will be the day you can march into the Swansea.com Stadium once more and cheer on the Ospreys as they take to the field.
First up at home: Cardiff Rugby. The last time the team from the capital treaded on Swansea soil, they were soundly defeated 36-14. Hooker Ifan Phillips secured a brace, while centre Keiran Williams and scrumhalf Matthew Aubrey dotted down for a try each. The game was well and truly closed out with two more tries courtesy of replacements Sam Cross in the back row, and hooker Sam Parry.
Both sides have made some exciting additions to their squads since then. Cardiff Rugby have welcomed the dynamic lock Matthew Screech, formerly of Dragons, into their pack while former Scarlet and Welsh international Rhys Priestland returned to Wales having impressed over at Bath.
Ospreys have a few more new names to their squad list. Exeter and front row duo Tomas Francis and Elvis Taione add some power and experience to the pack, while exciting young Wales U20 prop Ben Warren joins from Cardiff.
In the back row, up and coming openside flanker Jac Morgan comes back across the Loughor bridge to return to his home region. Big lock Jack Regan comes into the pack too, having spent a spell out with New Zealand’s super rugby franchise, the Highlanders. Also from the Highlanders, comes the talented utility back Michael Collins, while big winger Alex Cuthbert joins the ranks in the back three and young centre Osian Knott joins from rivals the Scarlets.
It's not just the squads that have changed, there’s a brand-new competition too. The United Rugby Championship. The URC will feature four new teams from South Africa: the Vodacom Bulls, Cell C Sharks, Emirates Lions, and DHL Stormers. With them, they bring a unique new challenge to the championship.
Ospreys will get their first opportunity against one of these sides in round three as they welcome Cell C Sharks to the stadium
Rhys Webb recently spoke ahead of the launch of the URC:
“I made my debut at 17 in front of supporters, and I thrive on that. I get a real feel-good factor playing in front of lots of people. That’s when I feel like I’m alive.
“It was a long season last year and it kind of dragged with no fans there. You look to create your own atmosphere, but there is only so much of that you can do.
“Having thousands at Franklin’s Gardens for our game against Northampton last week was brilliant.
“We have shown some great signs in the two games against Hartpury and Northampton and the boys are ready for the first league match
14 days. 336 hours. 20,160 minutes.
We’re still counting… and we can’t wait
📢MATCH TICKETS ON SALE
— Ospreys (@ospreys) September 17, 2021
Tickets for our first three home games of the @URCOfficial are on sale now and available at the early bird price🙌
🔵 @Cardiff_Rugby
🦈 @SharksRugby
🔴 @Munsterrugby
Purchase yours today and #JoinUsInFlight
Tickets for Ospreys v Cardiff Rugby are now on sale, with prices starting from just £5 for U25s; £13 for concessions; and £16 for adults.
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW
But if you want to experience all the thrills and action at the Swansea.com Stadium, and see the Ospreys take on the challengers of the URC and the Heineken Champions Cup, then there’s no better option than our season membership.
Starting from just £40, not only will you get to experience all 11 home games throughout the season, but you’ll also get exclusive member benefits.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW
