It seems all the transfers within Welsh rugby are ones I didn’t expect at the moment – and trust me, this one wasn’t even close to being on my radar. But it’s happened anyway, ex-Scarlets scrum half has left French Top 14 side Brive and joined the Ospreys’ roster of scrum halves.

Injury problems

It seems the Ospreys are desperate to ensure they are not caught short at 9 like they were this season. Towards the start of the season the Welsh region were forced to rely on Rhys Webb and Rhodri Wells as front line scrum halves. Personally I didn’t find them even close to good enough. Some insiders suggest they have talent that could yet develop but nothing about them suggests to me that they will be top class players.

Thankfully Mike Phillips and Jamie Nutbrown both, eventually, recovered from injury and we were spared any more of the Webb/Wells show. Now it seems that the Ospreys management are worried about it happening again.

Scrum Half signings

So to back up Mike Phillips and Jamie Nutbrown the Ospreys went out and signed Tom Isaacs from the Dragons. Or at least thats why I thought they signed him. I was wrong. Apparently Liam Davies is signed to back up those two – the Ospreys have other plans for Isaacs.

Isaacs is to be played at 13 and 15 this season, and is being trained there by Scott Johnson. Presumably he will be initially played there at Welsh premiership level but it is an interesting choice – I thought Isaacs had a lot of potential as a 9 so don’t understand the logic. Would also be interested to hear his thoughts as he turned down a move to Wasps (Sean Edwards was trying to convince him) which would really only have had Joe Simpson as competition.

But in Liam Davies the Ospreys have made a very good signing. He has never really set the world alight but at 23 he still has time on his side. He has Top 14 and European rugby experience and Andy Goode, the English outside half who also plays at Brive, describes Davies’ pass as the best service he has ever had – which should help keep James Hook happy!

Personally I’m all for it. I am confused by what we are doing with Tom Isaacs but to have the 3rd choice 9 (or 2nd, depending on where they see Nutbrown) with Top 14 and European experience is nothing to be sneased at. As with the signing of Barry Davies this isn’t a frontline signing – but it adds significant depth to the squad – and that can only be a good thing.

Did you know you could get a FREE Welsh Rugby Blog newsletter delivered straight to your inbox? Simply enter your details here.



You can also follow us on Twitter and on Facebook now. Isn't technology wonderful!

Related posts:

1. Ospreys Sign Ricky Januarie on Loan South African scrum half Ricky Januarie is to join the...
2. Mike Phillips Out Injured For 10 Weeks Minimum Some awful news for the Ospreys and Wales, and of...
3. Where now for the Ospreys? So what is happenign with the Ospreys? Abject performances, no...
4. Ospreys team to play Glasgow announced The Ospreys have named their side to take on Glasgow...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.