Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that Lloyd Ashley is the ninth senior player to re-sign with the Region.
- Experienced second row has signed a new deal that will take him up to 10 years since his Ospreys debut
- 28-year old Ashley has played 123 times to date for his home Region
- Takes the number of senior Ospreys who have committed to the Ospreys for next season up to nine
The vastly experienced second row has signed a two-year contract that keeps him at the Liberty Stadium until 2021, 10 years after his Ospreys debut.
Expressing his delight to be staying with his home Region, the 28-year old paid tribute to the squad environment which played a huge part in the team’s successful end of season push for Europan rugby:
“It’s nice to have the next two year’s secure, staying at the Ospreys, I’m delighted to be here.
“I think, however long you are here, you can continue learning. As a professional rugby player I want to play all the time, I can get frustrated at times when I’m not playing but you see the quality we’ve got in the second row, it’s nice to be around those players, learning all the time.
“At the moment, we’ve got a very good group of people who want to get better, but who also want to enjoy their time here as well. You are around boys you want to spend time with and that’s got to be a highlight for me.”
Ashley came through the development pathway via Bridgend Athletic, his leadership skills seeing him captaining Bridgend College, the Ospreys and Wales at age-grade level, before taking the armband at Bridgend Ravens in the Premiership and then, eventually leading the senior Ospreys team on multiple occasions.
His regional debut was against Exeter Chiefs in the LV Cup in November 2011, since when he has clocked up 123 appearances for the region, reaching his century at Allianz Park against Saracens in the Champions Cup in October 2017.
“Lloyd is a fantastic pro” said Head Coach, Allen Clarke.
“We’re delighted that he’s going to be here as part of our squad for a further two seasons. It’s not just about his effort and commitment when he plays for us, it’s also about the energy and professionalism he brings every day to training.
“His willingness to go to Bridgend and represent his home club with pride when they were fighting relegation in recent weeks tells you everything about him. It doesn’t matter what level of rugby he’s playing at he gives you everything. It’s that commitment which makes him such a well respected and important member of the squad.”
As well as Ashley, Cory Allen, Matthew Aubrey, Dan Evans, Luke Morgan, Scott Otten, Luke Price, Nicky Smith and Gareth Thomas have also signed new deals, youngsters Harri Morgan and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler have signed their first senior contracts, with Gareth Anscombe and Forwards Coach, Carl Hogg, confirmed as new additions for next season.
