The Ospreys are excited to announce a new Elite Rugby Partnership with Llandovery College to develop elite homegrown rugby talent in Wales. Llandovery College has established a reputation as one of the premier rugby schools in the country and will grow its rugby provision by teaming up with the Ospreys in a new partnership to further develop elite rugby talent. This new partnership gives aspiring young players associated with the Ospreys Player Pathway Programme a unique opportunity to join the Llandovery College Elite Rugby Programme. The partnership between two of Wales’ great rugby institutions will combine to offer an education and rugby pathway in a bid to retain young Welsh talent in Wales. The Ospreys will provide ‘master class’ coaching sessions with its Academy coaches, like Wales and British & Irish Lions star James Hook, and Welsh internationals Paul James and Andrew Bishop, to support the schools programme to develop the rugby stars of tomorrow. Director of Llandovery College Elite Rugby, Ioan Cunningham, leads the Elite Rugby Development Programme, provides individual plans for the rugby players and directs on all tactical and technical elements for the Llandovery College 1^st XV. While the Ospreys Academy, which has a proven track record of discovering and developing young rugby talent for the region and for the national side, will supply international coaching expertise during the season. Ospreys Development Pathway Manager, Gareth Walters, said: “This partnership allows us to extend the Ospreys Player Pathway Programme further, and provides us with the opportunity of identifying and developing future talent.” With more than 50 former students awarded over 550 caps for Wales, Llandovery College has an outstanding rugby record eclipsing all other Welsh schools in the history of the game. It has a proud reputation of producing top-level rugby players including Wales’ captain, British & Irish Lion and Ospreys second row, Alun Wyn Jones OBE. The Llandovery College Warden, Dominic Findlay, said: “We are delighted to announce another partnership with the Regions and we look forward to working with the Ospreys Academy Team as we aim to ensure Welsh rugby talent remains in Wales.” Ospreys Development Director, Mike Ruddock, said: “This partnership means the Ospreys can assist Llandovery College in the delivery of a high performance rugby programme. “This link with Llandovery is an outstanding example of how we can work together and support young players with educational and rugby opportunities to stay in Wales.”   Alun Wyn Jones picture credit: Huw Evans Agency / Website: www.huwevansimages.co.uk / Twitter: @HuwEvansAgency