RaboDirect PRO12
Ospreys draft in ex-All Black
ESPN Staff
December 4, 2012
Campbell Johnstone charges forward back in his Biarritz days © PA Photos
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Teams: New Zealand | Ospreys

The Ospreys have secured the signing of ex-All Blacks prop Campbell Johnstone until the end of the season.

With Aaron Jarvis, Adam Jones and Joe Rees all sidelined through injury, Johnstone will offer an option at tight-head. He has previously turned out for the Crusaders and Biarritz and has also won three caps for the Kiwis which came back in 2005.

Johnstone's arrival comes just a few days after the region re-signed Cai Griffiths on loan until the end of the season and the Ospreys' rugby operations manager Andy Lloyd was delighted with his new recruits.

"The arrival of Campbell and Cai gives us some much needed options at tight-head given the injuries we've suffered and the ongoing commitments we have to the national set-up at senior and age-grade level," Lloyd said. "Campbell will go straight into our ERC squad on his arrival, and although Cai is ineligible for the Heineken Cup having played in the Amlin Cup this season he will have a big part to play in our PRO12 defence, particularly during the Six Nations period when in addition to our senior national commitments we will also lose two tightheads to the U20 squad.

"We remain entirely committed to development from within and don't take any decision to look outside the group for injury cover lightly. However, we have a responsibility to our supporters, management and directors to remain competitive, as well as to our players for their personal welfare. Given the complete lack of any professional experience in our remaining options there is quite simply no way we could go the rest of the season without bringing in additional cover."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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