Crynant Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team. It is based in Crynant . The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Ospreys .
42-480: Crynant RFC was founded in 1898. They played their first recorded game on Christmas Day against Ystradgynlais . The great religious revival of 1904 spread throughout South Wales led by lay preacher Evan Roberts . Like many teams in South Wales, players who quit rugby to follow a more godly code resulted in the eventual dissolution of the club in 1904. The club reformed in 1908 playing games at Maesmawr field, using
84-458: A coaching role with Scotland . Both Holley and Johnson's final game as part of the coaching setup at the Liberty Stadium had been a 36–5 away loss to Biarritz, which marked the end of a Heineken Cup campaign that saw them again fail to win on their travels. New coach Tandy enjoyed a successful start to his tenure, winning eight of his first ten matches as full-time Head Coach, including winning
126-533: A distant third. A gutsy home victory over Stade and a last gasp defeat to Leicester, did however offer some crumbs of comfort. In April 2006 it was announced that noted former New Zealand All Blacks scrum half Justin Marshall had signed to play for Ospreys. The Ospreys won the Celtic League during the 2006/07 season, topping the league by a single point and taking the title with an away win at Borders. Winning
168-631: A modest improvement for the Ospreys, winning 12 matches and losing 9, as well as beating west Wales rivals the Scarlets for a Champions Cup place. The Ospreys endured an inauspicious 2019–2020 season, finishing bottom of Conference A of the Pro14, winning just two of their 15 matches. The 2020–2021 season saw Allen Clarke replaced by former electrician Toby Booth . He succeeded in sparking the region back to life, including an away win at eventual champions Leinster and
210-525: A much-changed Leicester team defeated them at the Swansea.com stadium. As one of the lowest-seeded teams in the competition, the Ospreys would have to play the reigning English and French champions home and away in their group games. The defeat against Leicester was therefore followed by an away game in Montpellier. Against all expectations, and inspired by the arrival of master-tactician fly-half Owen Williams after
252-882: A place in the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2023–24 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2024–25 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup. Q : qualified for play-offs. H : home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h : home field advantage secured for quarter-final X : cannot reach play-offs. E : qualified for Champions Cup. Props Hookers Locks Back row Scrum-halves Fly-halves Centres Wings Fullbacks Props Hookers Locks Back row Scrum-halves Fly-halves Centres Wings Fullbacks Management Coaching The following players have represented Wales internationally and represented
294-587: A return to top tier European competition for the following season. In 2021–2022, the rebranded United Rugby Championship saw the Ospreys win the Welsh Shield, but struggle in the Champions Cup, losing all of their group games. A home win over Munster heralded the arrival of outstanding back row forward Jac Morgan. The 2021–2022 season saw another mid-table finish in the United Rugby Championship, with
336-645: A second team formed in Crynant: the Crynant Harlequins. The two clubs merged in May 1950. In 1956 the club gained a new pitch adjacent to Maesmawr field and soon after gained ownership of an old shop and billiard hall that was converted into the club's first permanent clubhouse. During the 1950s Crynant saw two more former players capped for Wales, Roy John and C.C. Meredith. They were picked to play for Wales, while members of Neath RFC. Though Crynant saw little success during
378-462: A three-year deal as head coach. For the 2018–2019 season, along with new head coach Clarke, Matt Sherratt joined the coaching staff, replacing Gruff Rees. The season also began with notable squad changes, with record points scorer Dan Biggar departing for Northampton Saints , and stalwart Paul James retiring. The Ospreys were boosted with the signings of Welsh internationals George North , Scott Williams , and Aled Davies. The season saw
420-592: Is also a feeder club for the Ospreys . The club was established in 1890. This Welsh rugby union team article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ospreys (rugby union) The Ospreys ( Welsh : Y Gweilch ), formerly the Neath–Swansea Ospreys is one of the four professional rugby union teams from Wales . They compete in the United Rugby Championship and
462-452: Is linked to an ancient battle that took place on the mountain between local tribes. The badge also contains a picture of a star that represents the original clubhouse of Crynant RFC, the Star Hotel. On the opposite side is a picture of an M with two circles placed over the points of the M. To this day nobody within the village is able to determine what this symbol means and since the designer of
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#1733094202769504-508: The 2011–12 Pro12 following a 31–30 win over Leinster at the RDS, thanks to a late Shane Williams try in his final match for the region 29–30 and Dan Biggar adding a difficult conversion for the win 31–30. Ospreys have reached 2 semi-finals in the subsequent 6 seasons, but not made the final. Following a poor start to the 2017–2018 season, Tandy was sacked by the Ospreys. Forwards coach Allen Clarke took over on an interim basis, before agreeing to
546-589: The Anglo-Welsh Cup . In July 2024, it was announced that the Ospreys would be leaving the Swansea.com Stadium after 20 years for the 2025/26 season to play in the newly renovated, yet former host ground, the St Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground . The Swansea Cricket Club will be leaving the ground they have occupied since 1875. From their foundation to the 2013–14 season, the Ospreys kit suppliers were Kooga . Between
588-522: The European Rugby Champions Cup . The team formed as a result of Neath RFC and Swansea RFC combining to create a new merged entity, as part of the new regional structure of Welsh rugby , that began in 2003. They are also affiliated with a number of local semi-professional and amateur clubs, including Welsh Premier Division sides Aberavon RFC , Bridgend Ravens , and original founding clubs Neath and Swansea. The regional area represented by
630-565: The New Zealand Rugby Union . A disappointing seventh-place finish in the Celtic League and a surprise Heineken Cup quarter-final exit to Saracens F.C. saw head coach Lyn Jones resign at the end of the 2007–08 season, on 16 May 2008 Assistant Coach Sean Holley and forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys would continue as part of a new management structure being overseen by Andrew Hore, until a replacement could be found. Scott Johnson ,
672-504: The 1972-73 season proved to be exceptional, with the winning of the West Wales Championship & The President's Cup. A year later, the history books were nearly re-written when visitors Llanelli scraped a 14-9 win in an epic Welsh Cup game, Cryant coming desperately close to a try in the dying minutes. In 1983 the clubhouse was badly damaged by fire. The damage was extensive and the club was under insured; it took until 2003 for
714-470: The Celtic League for a second time meant the Ospreys were the first team to have won the Celtic League twice. In February 2008, the Ospreys provided 13 of the starting line-up for Wales in their Six Nations match against England, setting a new record for the number of players from one region playing for their national side. During the 2007/08 season the Ospreys reached Quarter-final of the Heineken Cup for
756-507: The English team triumphing 29–20 on 7 December 2003. They struggled to recover from their opening defeat, finishing bottom of their pool, recording their only victory against the Tykes' at home in the final round at St. Helens . Domestically the Ospreys' did salvage some pride, avoiding becoming the lowest placed Welsh region, by pipping Cardiff Blues to fifth place in the Celtic League. Following
798-522: The Heineken Cup, a failure to win on the road proved costly, with Munster and Toulon progressing instead. Another win for Munster at Thomond Park on 14 May 2011, ended the Ospreys Celtic League aspirations at the semi-final stage. Former player Steve Tandy was appointed as new Ospreys head coach on 15 February 2012 replacing Sean Holley in the role, as Scott Johnson also departed to take up
840-485: The Ospreys narrowly missing out on a place in the play-offs, contested by the top eight teams, with a ninth-place finish. A worrying trend continued, as they again lost all four of their European Champions Cup fixtures. They secured a return to the top-level European competition by finishing top of the Welsh Shield. The 2022–2023 season once again saw a mid-table finish in the United Rugby Championship. The Ospreys' European Champions Cup campaign started in ominous fashion, as
882-551: The Ospreys played their first 'A' team match, against Newport-Gwent Dragons 'A' at Bridgend, which was the first 'A' match fixture for any of the Welsh regional sides. They lost the match 22–10. They have since gone on to play Worcester 'A' in April, a game which they lost 24–23 to an injury-time penalty. In February 2008 Andrew Hore was appointed as the Ospreys as elite performance director. Previously Hore had been high performance manager with
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#1733094202769924-506: The Ospreys won the 2009–10 Celtic League by defeating Leinster in the final by 17–12 at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Following a wide-ranging review, Andrew Hore, previously elite performance director at the Ospreys, became on 26 April 2011 chief operations officer at the region. 2010–11 would not see the region reach the heights of the previous one. Despite winning all their home pool games in
966-632: The Red Lion Hotel as a clubhouse. In 1912 Crynant RFC joined the Swansea and District League and moved its clubhouse to the Star Hotel where they remained until the 1960s. At the outbreak of World War I club rugby in Wales ceased and the club once again disbanded. After the First World War, Crynant RFC reformed and joined the Neath and District League. They were champions five times between 1922 and 1926. In 1928
1008-515: The badge is no longer alive, the final symbolism is lost. The Club's motto is Digon yw Chwarae (it is enough to play). Sadly, with the advent of professionalism, this attitude to the game has all but disappeared. Ystradgynlais RFC Ystradgynlais Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based in Ystradgynlais , Wales . The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and
1050-504: The best results in Welsh regional rugby in years along the way. In January 2024, the Ospreys management have stated they are looking at options for moving to a new ground. It will be a rugby home, suited to rugby supporters and not a shared football stadium like the Swansea.com. In their first two seasons, the Ospreys shared their home games between St Helen's (home ground of Swansea RFC ) and The Gnoll (home ground of Neath RFC ). Since their third season in 2005–06, they have played at
1092-438: The break-up of Worcester Warriors, the Ospreys beat Montpellier. That was followed by a win over Montpellier at home, and a titanic victory away at Leicester, which secured their place in the quarter finals. Results elsewhere meant that they missed out on home advantage in that quarter final, and were ultimately not able to get past Saracens, bowing out of the competition at the quarter final stage, but not without achieving some of
1134-459: The club gained membership to the Welsh Rugby Union. One of the club's proudest moments came in 1939 when former player Cyril Challinor , now playing for Neath , was chosen to represent Wales against England. Wales lost and Cyril was dropped from the national squad. The club disbanded for a third time in 1939 with the outbreak of World War II . The team reformed after the war. During the 1940s
1176-400: The club to pay back the debts to repair the damage. During the club's centenary season in 1995/96, they were visited by top Welsh clubs as part of the celebrations, including Llanelli , Neath, and Swansea . The emblem of Crynant Rugby Club includes a picture of a white horse that is believed to relate to the mountain of March Hywel that overlooks the village. The horse is Hywel's Horse, which
1218-466: The club's upturn in fortunes. In the late 1960's the formation of a Youth Side and the extension of the clubhouse meant far more social events and very often two games at home on a Saturday. During the 70's on the playing field the club reached three West Wales Cup finals, triumphing in one in 1979. Crynant produced a dozen Youth & Schools Internationals during this period and the advent of the local O.G.Davies competitions meant further successes. However,
1260-577: The demise of the Celtic Warriors region on 1 June 2004, the Neath–Swansea Ospreys had their borders extended to cover much of the Bridgend and Ogmore areas to the east. However, for logistical reasons it was decided that no home games would be played at Bridgend RFC 's Brewery Field . Former Warriors players David Bishop, Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones and Sonny Parker were signed by the Ospreys'. The 2004–05 season saw significant on field improvement for
1302-460: The first time but unexpectedly lost to Saracens . The following week they won the EDF Energy Cup beating Leicester Tigers at Twickenham . In November 2006 when it became apparent that Wales 'A' would not be able to face Australia A national rugby union team midweek during their November tour , the Ospreys became the first Welsh region to play a major international side since regional rugby
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1344-672: The former head coach of the Welsh national team, and attack coach when Wales won the Six Nations Championship Grand Slam in 2005 for the first time in 27 years, was announced as director of coaching at the Ospreys on 29 January 2009. On 21 April 2009, the Ospreys had six players included in the British & Irish Lions ' squad for the 2009 South African tour: Lee Byrne (fullback), Tommy Bowe and Shane Williams (wings), Mike Phillips (scrum-half), Alun Wyn Jones (lock) and Adam Jones (prop). One notable omission however,
1386-405: The history of the Celtic League or Pro12 tournament, having won the competition four times. They also became the first and only Welsh regional team to beat a major touring side, defeating Australia 24–16 in 2006. On 24 July 2003, it was announced that the new team jointly representing Neath RFC and Swansea RFC would be known as the Neath–Swansea Ospreys. The Ospreys part of the team's name
1428-606: The purpose-built 20,000 seat Liberty Stadium in Landore , Swansea , which is shared with Swansea City . The Liberty Stadium, with double the capacity of St Helen's, has seen a capacity crowd for the matches against international tourists Australia 'A' team (1 November 2006 ) and against local rivals the Scarlets . On 12 November 2010 the team played their first competitive fixture at the Brewery Field home ground of Bridgend Ravens in
1470-435: The region. A capacity crowd of 10,280 was present at The Gnoll on 26 March 2005 to witness the Ospreys claim their first piece of silverware. A 29–12 win over Edinburgh , with two rounds of the competition still remaining, saw the team crowned Celtic League champions. However, impressive back to back wins over Harlequins were not enough to overcome Munster in the pool stages of that season's Heineken Cup . On 14 May 2005 it
1512-485: The seasons 2014–2017, BLK supplied the Ospreys kits. Canterbury supplied the kits for the 2018–2021 seasons. Starting for the 2021/22 season, the Ospreys would form a kit partnership with Umbro . This lasted until 2023 as in June of the same year, the Ospreys announced that they had signed a multi-year partnership with sportswear manufacturer Macron . Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn
1554-420: The sixties, in 1967 Ron Jones was selected to face England, while playing for Coventry. He represented Wales four times between 1967 and 1968. The 1968/69 season saw the introduction of a youth side, which would allow the growth of local talent to help strengthen future senior teams. In 1971, Crynant's secretary since 1927, Rhys Emlyn Williams, was elected to the post of Welsh Rugby Union President coinciding with
1596-422: The team has widely become known for rugby purposes as 'Ospreylia'. Their main home ground is the Swansea.com Stadium , Swansea , although some smaller profile games have been played at the Brewery Field , Bridgend . Ospreys currently play in a black home strip, while the away strip is white and orange. The Ospreys logo consists of an image of an Osprey mask. The Ospreys are the most successful Welsh team in
1638-674: Was Wales and Ospreys captain Ryan Jones . The Ospreys announced the signing of former New Zealand All Blacks captain Jerry Collins on 9 May 2009. Collins had been a stalwart for the All Blacks, since 2004 but retired from international rugby in 2008. A 29–28 defeat by Biarritz on 10 April 2010 dashed the team's hopes of a first Heineken Cup semi-final appearance. A late Nicky Walker try in San Sebastien proved in vain. However, on 29 May 2010,
1680-523: Was announced that the "Neath–Swansea" part of the team's name would be dropped, with them to be referred to as the Ospreys. A growing sense of expectation surrounded the team heading into 2005–06, an expectation they struggled to cope with, finishing a disappointing seventh in the Celtic League. A difficult Heineken Cup pool made up of tough opposition in Leicester Tigers , Stade Francais and ASM Clermont Auvergne proved too difficult, as they finished
1722-460: Was inspired by the use of the bird as Swansea RFC's centenary badge. Former Neath RFC coach Lyn Jones was appointed as head coach, who named Scott Gibbs as the team's first captain. 5 September 2003 saw the region play their first competitive game, a 41–30 Celtic League home win over Irish province Ulster at The Gnoll in Neath . Leeds Tykes were the Ospreys' first Heineken Cup opponents, with
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1764-482: Was introduced, a match they won 24–16. Following the win over the Wallabies, the term Ospreylia became ingrained in popular culture with it being adopted by the region and its supporters as a description of the geographical area covered by the region, with supporters known as Ospreylians. Peter Black , Assembly Member for south west Wales has declared himself as AM for Ospreylia on his own blog. On 23 February 2007,
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