Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that young lock Adam Beard has signed his first professional contract.
- Beard gets first professional deal two weeks after making PRO12 debut
- Second row "not just a big boy who throws himself around" says Millward
- Having started off at Birchgrove RFC he graduated through the development pathway, playing Premiership rugby with Aberavon
The highly rated second row from Swansea has penned a three-year deal just weeks after making his PRO12 debut in the Liberty Stadium draw with Glasgow on the last day of January.
Swansea born and bred, the 6ft 8in 20-year old played his junior rugby for Birchgrove RFC before graduating through the development pathway, representing the Ospreys and Wales at age-grade level as well as Aberavon in the Premiership.
He made his regional debut two years ago, a fortnight after his 18th birthday, coming off the bench for an LV= Cup tie away to Exeter Chiefs. A regular for Wales U20 last season, starting all five games at last summer’s World Championship in Italy, he is again in the squad this season, playing in the Six Nations opener against Ireland a fortnight ago.
“I’m chuffed to bits” Beard said after signing up until the end of the 2018-19 season.
“I’ve been working hard the last few years since I signed my development contract. I’m just grateful of the opportunity I’ve been given and I’m looking forward to the next three years.
“A target for myself this year was to get that PRO12 debut and get more experience of the matchday 23 with the ‘A’ group so I’m chuffed.
“I’m still young, I’ve still got a lot of things to learn and there isn’t a better to place to do it than here with people like Alun Wyn and Lloyd Ashley to learn off. The competition in the pack is second to none and that can only make me a better player in the future.”
Rugby General Manager, Andrew Millward,
“Adam is another young man who has come through our development system, graduating into the senior squad on merit and showing real potential when given the opportunity to train and play with the ‘A’ group.
“His physical presence is what stands out when you think of Adam, but there’s much more to him. He’s not just a big boy who throws himself around on the pitch, he can play rugby as well. He’s a great character, he understands the game and his attitude is spot on. He's intelligent and keen to learn, absorbing information wherever he can get it from.
“He can potentially play a huge role here over the coming seasons alongside other young second rows who have also come through our pathway like Rory Thornton and Matthew Dodd, learning from the senior players in the squad, if he continues to show the same work ethic and appetite for improvement.”
Adam is the fourth Osprey to sign a new contract in 2016, following on from Alun Wyn Jones (NDC), Tom Habberfield and Scott Otten, while Wales prop Rhodri Jones has also signed for next season.
