Davies is heading ‘home’ to Ospreys
Bath Rugby’s promising young second row Rhys Davies has signed a two-year deal to join PRO14 side Ospreys next season.
The Wales U20s international, who stands at 6ft 6in and weighs 114kg, will leave Bath at the end of the season to return home to Wales.
Davies, 21, grew up in Swansea and was a product of the Ospreys academy system but left Wales at the age of 16 to attend the renowned Millfield School.
“I grew up watching the Ospreys and was part of their academy system until I was 16. I then had a fantastic opportunity to attend Millfield School in Somerset,” he said.
“While at Millfield I also represented Bath Rugby for two years and travelled home to be part of the Wales Under 18s. I then took up a three-year contract to be part of Bath’s academy system, which has been a great experience however it ends this season.
“I am from Swansea and have an emotional attachment to the Ospreys – they are the side I grew up wanting to play for – and I now have the opportunity to do that.
“I was not expecting to get this offer from the Ospreys and had not considered leaving Bath. It’s the toughest decision I have ever had to make and I really want to focus on finishing this season as strongly as possible and giving back to the club in every way I can.
“I have grown up here [at Bath] both on and off the field, and I am really grateful for the way Bath Rugby have helped me as a player and a person.
“I have been given every opportunity to develop and have been lucky to work with some great people who have got me fit, helped me overcome injuries and begin to understand what it takes to perform in the Premiership.”
Davies, who will join Bath scrum half Rhys Webb at The Liberty Stadium next season, went into detail over why he will make the switch in the summer.
“You have Alun Wyn Jones, who is one of Wales’ greatest players, and to have the chance to learn from someone like that is exciting – it doesn’t get much better,” he said.
“Then you have Bradley Davies, another quality Welsh international who has exceptional experience and someone I am hoping to learn a lot from, as well as current Welsh international Adam Beard. This is where I want to be, learning and training with the best.
“I know it’s not going to be easy, but that’s what you want as a player – to be challenged. It’s how you get better as a player.
“There are world class second rows at the Ospreys, and it’s going to push me to be a regular first team player.”
Like so many other Welshman, the chance to represent his country at senior level was also a big draw for Davies.
He said: “Wales is the ultimate goal because I am Welsh.
“I have been fortunate to have represented Wales through all the age grades and my main ambition is to play for the Wales senior team in the coming years. I know the Ospreys is the best place, with the competition for places, to get me there.”
Ospreys rugby general manager, Dan Griffiths, said: “We are delighted to add Rhys to the squad. He is someone we have monitored closely at Bath since leaving the Ospreys age grade to take a scholarship at Millfield.
“He has progressed tremendously this season, putting in some excellent physical performances at both Premiership and European levels. At 21 he has fantastic potential.
“The opportunity to return to the Ospreys was a huge motivation for Rhys, and on meeting him his enthusiasm for the club really shone through. He is close to a number of the young players breaking through into the senior ranks, and again really wanted to be a part of the future of our club.
“There is a fantastic blend of youth and experience we now have at second row, with world class, international performers combined with exciting young talent. As Adam Beard reflected, seeing how Alun Wyn Jones, Brad Davies and our top international players prepare is a huge asset in the development of these young players.
“We are excited to see Rhys back in black, to support his talent and ambitions, and I’m sure he will be a great asset to the Ospreys moving forward.”