Adam Beard’s departure from the Ospreys at the end of the season has been confirmed with the Wales and British & Irish Lions lock ending an 11 year stay at the region.
He will leave “to pursue a new opportunity abroad”, with Top 14 side Montpellier already having announced this season they will be signing him along with New Zealand hooker Ricky Riccitelli.
A product of the Ospreys’ pathway, Beard has been a standout performer for club and country during his career making 139 appearances for his home region and winning 58 caps for Wales. He played in one Test for the 2021 Lions in South Africa.
“I’ve loved my time at the Ospreys and that made this a really tough decision. I grew up being an Ospreys supporter and I was lucky enough to have come through the academy system and then progress to the first team,” said the 29-year-old Beard.
“To represent the club on so many occasions makes me extremely proud. I have had lots of conversations with my family, friends and the coaches here, and feel like this is the right time to take on a new challenge.
“This is a great club and a special place that has played a hugely important role in where I am as a player and person today. I’ve enjoyed every second of playing here.”
A Grand Slam winner with Wales U20 in 2016, he graduated to a senior Grand Slam in 2019. He also helped Wales to win the 2021 Six Nations title and finish fourth at the 2019 World Cup.
“Adam’s influence has been ever-present in his time at the Ospreys. He will leave a big hole as a player, a set piece expert, and a leader,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.
“The Ospreys have historically placed a high importance on having a strong front five and he has been a key contributor in that for a long time. He’s an elite professional, but most of all, a great person.
“We have high hopes for a lot of our second rows that have come through the ranks recently. His departure will provide an opportunity for those boys, along with any new additions we have, to step up as leaders.”
Wasting no time in finding a suitable replacement for Beard, Jones announced the following day that Queensland Reds lock Ryan Smith will be joining the Welsh club ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 6’6” lock has made 69 appearances to date for the Reds and was included in Joe Schmidt’s 38-man Wallabies training squad last June. He has also made six appearances for Australia A and will be looking forward to locking horns with the British & Irish Lions this summer.
“I’m extremely grateful for my time at the Queensland Reds and for everyone at the club that has played a part in my development to this point. It’s important for me to repay that by giving my all until the end of the season and leaving on a high note,” said Smith.
“There is a great opportunity here for me to test myself in a new environment, which is always a challenge, but that is something that drives me as a player and person.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the Ospreys, they’re playing some really attractive rugby under Mark Jones and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.
Jones will be delighted to have a tailor-made replacement for Beard and believes the signing of the Australian is a real coup for the Ospreys.
“Ryan has all the physical attributes needed to be a top Ospreys player, and he’s shown some real X-factor capabilities that we feel can have a positive influence on the all-court game we’re striving to play,” said Jones.
“When the opportunity arises to sign a quality impact player on both sides of the ball, you have to take it, so I’m really happy the club has managed to get this one over the line.
“There’s also an excellent opportunity here for our younger locks to benefit from training alongside an experienced player who comes from a different playing background, which will be a massive benefit for their development in the long-term.”