Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that 21-year old hooker Scott Otten has signed a new three-year deal.
- Current contract ran until end of next season but youngster's ongoing development recognised with a new, long-term deal
- A graduate of the Ospreys development pathway, age grade international Otten played his early rugby at Waunarlwydd RFC, Pentrehafod School and Swansea RFC as well as regional age-grade
- Made his Ospreys debut in March 2014 against the Blues and has made 24 appearances to date
The youngster had another 16 months to run on his existing contract, his first as a pro, but has been rewarded for his progress with a deal that expires at the end of the 2018/19 season. He is the second player to commit to the Ospreys this week, following on from Tom Habberfield who signed up yesterday.
“It’s a privilege to sign for another three years. It’s a great environment to be around and I’m really happy” said Otten.
“I’ve been able to balance doing my degree with a rugby career over the last few years, I’ve done that now, it’s out of the way and I’m happy that I’ve done that. I’m grateful for the support I’ve had from everybody here at the Ospreys to be able to allow me to combine playing and studying, but now rugby has to be my priority.
“To put the Ospreys jersey on is always special and hopefully I’m going to get some game time over the next few weeks while the international’s are away. It’s a good environment where we all help each other. We’ve all got our own individual stuff to work on and for me it’s my set piece. I’ll help the boys younger than me and in my position as much as I can, and I’ll accept all the feedback I get from the more experienced players to help my game as well.”
A product of the Ospreys development pathway, Otten played for Waunarlwydd RFC and Pentrehafod Comprehensive School in Swansea as a youngster, graduating to senior rugby through the District set-up and regional and international age-grade structure, going on to feature regularly for Swansea RFC in the Premiership.
His full Ospreys debut came almost two years ago, as a replacement in a 34-9 win over Cardiff Blues at the Liberty Stadium in March 2014, since when he has gone on to play 24 times for his home region, 10 of those coming this season.
Andrew Millward, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys, commented:
“Scott is an outstanding athlete and, despite still being very young for a hooker, is a very mature individual who is always pursuing excellence, striving for improvement in all areas of his game.
“He has a real appetite for work and can see the bigger picture. As an U16 he was down at third choice hooker but there was clearly something about him. He knuckled down, understood what he had to do and put in the hard work required to push himself on as a player. That’s a characteristic to be admired.
“He always wants feedback, good or bad, and can handle criticism as he knows it will help him continue developing. He brings that positive attitude into everything he does which is good for the environment.
“The challenge he faces now is to really kick on from here and establish himself fully as an Osprey. We’ve seen at times already, like when he came on against Glasgow at the Liberty recently, how he can add something really different to our game. He brings a real physicality that perhaps you don’t expect in someone as young as him, he’s quick and carries well, and has a really bright future ahead if he continues to show the desire and attitude that has earned him this contract.”
