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The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, December 15.
Ospreys get second boost as Wales international signs deal
New Wales international Harri Deaves has signed a new contract with the Ospreys.
This morning, the Ospreys announced Wales stars Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake had signed for Gloucester in a seismic blow to the Welsh club. But there is at least some good news with Deaves following Morgan Morse in committing his future to the Ospreys.
Abrasive openside Deaves has long been a fan favourite amongst Ospreys fans for his relentless work rate and physicality. But the 24-year-old finally got rewarded for his consistently strong form at regional level with a first Wales cap against the All Blacks last month.
“I’m extremely happy to be staying with the Ospreys,” said Deaves. “This is the team I grew up supporting and have had the privilege of sharing the field with players that I looked up to in the early parts of my career.
“Coming here every day to work is a real privilege for me, I have made some incredible friends at the Ospreys and I’m excited to continue my development here. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a role in helping me to get to this point; my family, my friends, the Ospreys, and everyone at Pontyclun.”
This is a period of huge uncertainty for every single professional player in Wales with the Welsh Rugby Union planning to cut the number of professional teams from four to three.
It has previously announced there will only be one professional club in west Wales meaning either the Ospreys or Scarlets could be scrapped in the near future. But the contracts of any Welsh-qualified player will be honoured by the WRU.
“Deavesy is someone that has already made his mark on the Ospreys and we’re excited to see him build on that going forward,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones. “He has been an extremely consistent performer for us, and consistency is something we value highly at the club.
“He is the type of player that personifies what it is to be an Osprey – his effort, physicality and desire for the shirt, are all invaluable to us as a team. We’re excited to have Deavesy commit his future to the club, as we see him as an integral part of our squad over the next few seasons.”
Coach quits after Wales callout
Richard Cockerill has resigned as head coach of Georgia and club side Black Lion with immediate effect.
The former England international took charge of the Lelos in January last year and led them to back-to-back Rugby Europe Championship titles, as well as qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
During his tenure, Cockerill repeatedly called for Georgia to be given a seat at the top table of international rugby, pushing for the national team to be given a place in the Six Nations as well as Black Lion being entered into the United Rugby Championship.
Earlier this year, he said that he believed his team had “earned the right” to face struggling Wales in a promotion/relegation play-off for the Six Nations, as he questioned whether the Welsh squad were good enough to compete in the tournament following a dismal losing run that, at the time, stretched to 17 consecutive Test matches.
However, while Cockerill won 14 of his 21 matches as Georgia head coach, those wins came against teams they were expected to beat, with a failure to take down a big name leading to frustrations behind the scenes.
Announcing his departure from the role, the ex-hooker admitted there had been a difference of opinion between him and Georgia Rugby Union president Davit Kacharava, who started in the role earlier this year.
“I would like to thank the Georgian Rugby Union for the honour of being the head coach of the Georgian national team and the franchise, the ‘Black Lions’, for two years,” said Cockerill. “Ioseb Tkemaladze, the former president of the Georgian Rugby Union, invited me and I personally thank him for this opportunity.
“In April 2025, Davit Kacharava became the new president of the Georgian Football Federation. He has a different vision for the development of the Georgian national team and I respect his decision. I personally wish him and his team success in their future endeavours.
“I am proud of my time as head coach of the Georgian national team. I have created a solid foundation for the team’s future and I am leaving it in a better position than it was before.
“Georgia is a wonderful country with an amazing culture and warm, hospitable people,” the 54-year-old added. “I gained a unique rugby and life experience.”
Gloucester boss heaps praise on Wales duo
Gloucester’s director of rugby George Skivington has heaped praise on new signings Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake after it was confirmed that the Wales duo will be heading to Kingsholm next season.
Amid mounting speculation over their future, it was officially announced earlier today that the flanker and hooker would both be leaving the Ospreys at the end of the current campaign, with more players set to join them in the Gallagher PREM as the uncertainty surrounding the future structure of Welsh rugby continues.
While Ospreys boss Mark Jones was understandably disappointed to lose two players of Morgan and Lake’s quality, their new coach Skivington is delighted to have the two Wales internationals on board, describing them as “genuinely world-class” and “the epitome of a modern-day hooker” respectively.
“We’re really pleased to get a deal for Jac over the line,” he said of Morgan’s arrival. “He’s a genuinely world-class rugby player and has a big impact in every team he’s been a part of, and that’s a really exciting prospect.
“Jac no doubt had lots of offers on the table, so for him to commit to the project here at Kingsholm is a great nod to the programme we have in place, and the ambition we have for next season and beyond. We’re looking forward to welcoming Jac into the group next season.”
As for Lake, Skivington added: “Dewi is the epitome of a modern-day hooker, dominant at set-piece and industrious around the park. He’s a gritty and abrasive player, and I know that’s what fans like to see in a Gloucester player. I think they’ll take to Dewi really quickly.
“With Dewi and Jac coming in, we’ve significantly bolstered our pack, adding to the talent that’s already here, and we’re shaping up nicely for the start of the 2026/27 season.”
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