Ospreys circle over Nutbrown

Bay of Plenty captain and scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown has formally requested early release from his NZRU contract in order to be able to go and play for the Ospreys.

Bay of Plenty captain and scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown has formally requested early release from his NZRU contract in order to be able to go and play for the Ospreys.

Nutbrown still has a year to run on his current deal in Mount Maunganui, but has agreed in principle to a two-year deal in Swansea, and is aiming to start as soon as possible – the Ospreys would need him in the early season and through November as cover for the injured international Mike Phillips.

Ospreys Elite Performance Director Andrew Hore is currently on the spot trying to help secure Nutbrown's early release, and told a Neath newspaper that he was 'hopeful (the Ospreys) will shortly be able to confirm the signing of Jamie Nutbrown.'

Nutbrown would be the region's fifth non-Welsh player, Nutbrown's former Chiefs team-mate Marty Holah among the foreign contingent.