Welsh Rugby
Ospreys join battle to retain Lions stars
ESPN Staff
August 4, 2013
Adam Jones started all three Tests for the Lions © PA Photos
Enlarge

The Ospreys have started talks with their three British & Irish Lions stars as they seek to tie down Ian Evans, Alun-Wyn Jones and Adam Jones on to new contracts.

The trio are all out of contract at the end of the upcoming season and the Welsh regions are in general facing a battle to keep their most prized assets. Newport Gwent Dragons head coach Lyn Jones has already spoken about his desire to keep Toby Faletau at the club while the Scarlets are looking to start discussions with Jonathan Davies over a new deal.

Lions player of the series Leigh Halfpenny is also out of contract at the end of the season and is already courting interest from France but the Blues are hopeful of persuading their star fullback to stay put rather than joining the exodus to the Top 14 which has already claimed Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate.

It is now the Ospreys who have gone public on their desire to retain the Lions trio of Evans, Alun-Wyn Jones and Adam Jones and coach Steve Tandy is hopeful the three forwards want to stay at the Liberty Stadium.

"We want them to stay and I am sure they want to stay," Tandy told Wales Online. "Things are ongoing and we want to keep hold of as many players as we can.

"That is something for people above me to sort out. They were sensational for the Lions and represented what the Ospreys are about. We have put in place a system to bring these guys through."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices