�鶹��

Ospreys have announced that 21 contracted players will feature in the new Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) this season, including Wales Under-20s number eight Morgan Morse.

The 19-year-old will play for home side Swansea along with nine other Ospreys, while Bridgend get six and Aberavon five.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced the SRC competition in May 2024 with its goal to bridge the gap for players moving between the academies and the four professional regional teams - Ospreys, Cardiff, Dragons and Scarlets.

The new 10-team competition has replaced the old 13-club Indigo Premiership.

Aberavon, Bridgend and Swansea will represent the Ospreys region in the SRC and all receive an allocation of Ospreys contracted players as part of a performance partnership that has been formed with the clubs.

As part of the allocation, players will return to their clubs of origin.

Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery, Newport, Pontypool and RGC are the other clubs in SRC.

Pontypool and Llandovery kicked off the competition on Thursday night, with Llandovery earning a hard-fought 21-18 away win.

Swansea begin their campaign on Saturday away to Carmarthen, Ebbw Vale host Aberavon, Bridgend travel to Newport, while RGC are at home to Cardiff - with all fixtures kicking off at 14:30 BST.

Ospreys rugby general manager Dan Griffiths said: “There is an excitement that comes with a new competition and we have had some very positive interaction with the clubs selected to be part of Super Rygbi Cymru.

"The partnership agreement we have committed to shows a desire to work closely together to provide players within the region a pathway to professional rugby.

“The aim through of all these interactions with the clubs is to identify and provide talented young local players with an opportunity to progress. It emphasises the message that the door into the Ospreys is never closed.”

The allocation of Ospreys players is as follows:

Aberavon: Owen Erasmus, Dylan James, Cori Lewis-Jenkins, Connor Moyse, Scott Whitlock.

Bridgend: Evan Hill, Ben Evans, Rhydian Greenhall, Tom Florence, Lewis Jones, Math Iowerth-Scott.

Swansea: Freddie Chapman, Kian Hire, Liam Edwards, Tristan Davies, Harrison Doe, Lewis Edwards, Harri Houston, Cam Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Morgan Morse.