Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that newly capped Welsh international, Sam Davies, has signed a new long-term deal.
- Sam Davies signs new long-term deal with his home region
- Follows Justin Tipuric, Dan Baker and Dan Lydiate in committing their future to the Ospreys in recent weeks
- The former Gorseinon RFC youngster has now played 82 times for the Ospreys and is the fifth highest scorer in the region's history with 483 points
- Made his senior international debut this month against Australia and his first points for Wales came in his second cap when a drop goal with just seconds left clinched a dramatic three-point win over Japan
The 23-year old outside half has become one of the most talked about players in the European game with his outstanding form this season, form that was recognised in the shape of his first senior international call-up for the autumn international series.
His won his first cap off the bench against Australia four weeks ago and he featured three times in all during November, his first international points proving crucial as his cool-headed drop goal secured victory against Japan with only seconds left on the clock.
With his services much in demand, the Ospreys have secured him on a long-term deal, making him the fourth international to recommit to the Ospreys in recent weeks.
“It’s a huge honour to represent my home region and I’m extremely fortunate to be able to sign up again at the Ospreys” said Davies.
“Everybody here has treated me really well and I’m just looking to repay them with some good performances that, hopefully, will help us get success on the field.
“The coaches have really helped me, letting me know how they think I could improve, and I’ve really focused on those points. I’ve worked hard at them and hopefully that can carry on. I’ll take all the advice I can get and hopefully improve my game more.
“I’m over the moon to get it all done and dusted. I’ve been away for the last few weeks so it’s exciting to be back in this environment and I’m looking forward to what the next few years has to offer.”
Davies is a former Gowerton Comprehensive School pupil, who played for Gorseinon RFC as a junior before progressing through the regional development pathway. After representing the Ospreys and Wales at age-grade level, he scored 267 points in 30 appearances for Swansea.
In the summer of 2013 he guided the Wales U20 team to their first ever Junior World Championship final, playing in all five games and scoring 61 points on the way to becoming only the second Welshman to ever collect the IRB Junior World Player of the Year award.
Having made four appearances in the LV= Cup prior to that summer, the 2013/14 season was very much his breakthrough year with the Ospreys, making 15 starts in 20 appearances and scoring 82 points.
Now firmly established as a key figure at the region, he has played 82 times for the Ospreys to date and, in the history of the region, only four players have bettered his tally of 483 points.
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, welcomed the news:
“It’s an understatement to say we are really pleased to have been able to re-sign Sam” commented Tandy.
“We’ve seen huge growth in him on and off the field over the last year or so and that’s led to the increased consistency he’s shown this season. We know that he is a much sought after player, so it says a lot about how we operate here that we’ve quietly worked on sorting out his future very much under the radar. This news should get everyone involved with the Ospreys excited.”
With Davies and Dan Biggar now going head to head at both regional and international level, Tandy insisted that the Ospreys have shown why it is crucial to have competition for places if the region is to be successful:
“Sam’s been with us all the way through the pathway, like so many of the current squad. We are really proud of the system that keeps delivering young players with such high potential to go on and become full Ospreys and Welsh internationals.
“To have two home grown tens of the calibre of Sam and Dan is huge for us and a testament to the development pathway we’ve got here. The competition that brings to our environment every day has really pushed them both on to become better players and is something that the players themselves, the Ospreys and Wales will benefit from. Sam has recognised that, and his international honours this autumn show that competition for places at regional level isn’t a barrier to the Welsh squad. It’s the opposite in fact.
“There is still huge growth in Sam’s game and that’s the really exciting thing. He is only going to get better and better if he continues to work as hard as he has been to get to this point.
“The game is getting more and more physical, there’s no denying that. These boys train and play hard, and it’s a long, long season. To be successful we need options, we need competition for places, we need variety in our game and we need to be able to mix it up at different times.
“Whether it be Biggs or Sam in the team, or both, we need them to keep driving each other on like they have been.”
Davies follows on from Dan Baker, Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate (NDC) in recently signing new contracts to stay with the Ospreys.
