Ospreys maintain the Georgian connection as Nemsadze signs up
THE Ospreys have maintained their Georgian connection by handing a contract extension to Giorgi Nemsadze.
The 81-cap lock had been operating on a short-term deal he signed in March.
But the 6ft 4in, 18st 12lb lock has impressed the coaches and players at the Ospreys on and off the field and so has earned a new arrangement for next season.
“I’m really happy to be staying with the Ospreys,” said Nemsadze ahead of Sunday’s play-off with Ulster in Belfast for a Champions Cup place.
“I’m proud to play for this team and I hope I can help them be successful.
“I really like Swansea and Wales, and I’m looking forward to being here next season and, maybe, after that as well.”
Nemsadze captained Georgia to success in the European Rugby Championship earlier this year and deepens the Ospreys’ resources in a key area.
The 33-year-old has an ambition to play at the World Cup in Japan in 2019 and will link with the Lelos again next month for their Tests with Tonga, Fiji and Japan.
Ospreys rugby general manager Dan Griffiths welcomed the news that the former Montauban, Agen, Tarbes and Bristol man will be part of the squad in 2018/19.
He said: “Giorgi has already made a big impression with his physicality, while he has the leadership qualities that you’d expect of an international captain.
“He has settled quickly in our environment and is someone with huge experience.
“Not only is he battle hardened, he is also a first-class professional who can be a positive influence, helping the development of our younger players while providing the coaches with another quality option in the pack.”
Nemsadze is the second Eastern European to sign a contract with the Ospreys in a matter of days, with 21st Moldovan prop Gheorghe Gajion having joined the region earlier this week.
Nemsadze is the 13th senior squad member at the Ospreys to recommit for next season, following on from skipper Alun Wyn Jones, Welsh internationals Rory Thornton, Rhodri Jones, James King, Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and Sam Cross, along with Olly Cracknell, Ma’afu Fia, Sam Parry and highly-rated youngsters Will Jones and Reuben Morgan-Williams.
The big eastern European will want to mark his new deal by helping the Ospreys in their all-ornothing showdown with Ulster this weekend.
A Champions Cup spot awaits the winner and the Welsh region are steeling themselves for a blitz from the home side in the early stages.
Defence chief Brad Davis said: “The first 20 minutes in most games of knock-out rugby are pretty vital in terms of the platform you can lay with and without the ball and the tone you can set for the remainder of the match.
“There are going to be moments in the game where Ulster will have periods of sustained pressure and we will have to manage our way out of that.
“And when we get chances to apply pressure we need to convert them into points.
“The side that can take advantage of those moments in attack and minimise what the opposition do will be the one that comes out on top.”
Ulster will be without the injured Iain Henderson, while they have also had a major concern over skipper Rory Best (hamstring) ahead of team selection.
The match will see a number of Ospreys players bid farewell to the region, with Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Ashley Beck, Jeff Hassler and Dmitri Arhip among those leaving this summer.