Lions lock Orie set for short stay at Ospreys

THE Ospreys look set to sign South African second row Marvin Orie from the Lions on a deal until the end of the season.

It would be Orie’s second stint at the Welsh region after he spent two months at the Liberty Stadium in 2019.

The powerful lock, 27, announced this week he would not be renewing his contract with the Johannesburg-based Lions.

He will instead link up with Toby Booth’s Ospreys who will be without Wales pair Alun Wyn Jones and Adam Beard for the majority of the season.

Following the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign, Orie is likely to join Western Province and the Stormers.

The Ospreys have also been in the market for a No.8 and were keen on Cheetahs star Junior Pokomela.

But the Welsh side failed to persuade the Cheetahs to release Pokomela early from his contract meaning a potential move to Swansea fell through.

Ospreys’ performance director Mike Ruddock and head coach Booth have been busy trying to bolster their squad ahead of next season.

With the signing of Wales prop Tomas Francis from Exeter having already been announced, the Swansea-based region are set to steal former Wales U20 captain Jac Morgan and Osian Knott from bitter rivals Scarlets, young prop Ben Warren from Cardiff Blues, and 19year-old No.8 Will Hickey from Leinster.

The Welsh region are also very keen to sign an established ball-carrying No.8 after missing out on Pokomela and are again looking towards the South African market for the answer.