Magners League
New deal for Ospreys youngster
ESPNscrum Staff
March 29, 2011
Ospreys assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys, Ospreys v Leicester Tigers, Heineken Cup, the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, December 18, 2005
Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys has high hopes for Scott Baldwin © Getty Images
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Scott Baldwin has put pen to paper on a new contract with the Ospreys which will keep him at the Liberty Stadium for a further two seasons.

The 22-year-old hooker has only made three first-team appearances since joining the region in 2009 but his performances for Swansea during that period have impressed Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

"We've got high hopes for Scott. He's a big guy, who has worked extremely hard on his game while he's been with us and technically he is improving all the time," he said.

"The hooker position at the Ospreys is a very competitive one, which is exactly how it should be as we want players to drive each other on in competition for the shirt. We expect Scott to be there or thereabouts in the next couple of seasons. We'd like to think that two of our hookers will be at the World Cup later this year, which will provide him with a huge opportunity, which hopefully he will take with both hands.

"The pleasing thing about Scott is he is someone who was overlooked at age-grade level, but had the character and desire to make a big impression in the Premiership, which was recognised when we handed him his first contract two years ago. If he wants to continue his development and become a fully fledged Osprey, then he will need to show the diligence of the other young guys who have worn the shirt recently."

Baldwin, meanwhile, is thrilled that he has been given more time to establish himself in the Ospreys set-up. "Obviously I'm really happy to have re-signed, hopefully it means that the coaches have seen something in me for the future," he said. "The next two years will be massive for me now, with the new contract meaning I can focus on my development.

"Working with three international hookers, and a former Wales captain as forwards coach, I've really learned a lot since I joined the Ospreys. I'm really looking forward to next season now, the coaches have told me that they expect me to step up when the World Cup is on. There could be two hookers away, so it will be a real opportunity for me to show what I can do."

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