Ospreys sign Georgian captain

Ospreys have completed the signing of Giorgi Nemsadze, captain of the Georgian national team, on a deal that runs until the end of the season.

The experienced Nemsadze can play in the second-row and at flanker and his sizeable presence will provide another option up front for the busy final weeks of the season as the Ospreys chase qualification for next season’s Champions Cup. He is 1.96m tall and weighs 120kg.

In addition to a number of long-term absentees, Will Jones underwent surgery last week while Justin Tipuric has been selected for the Wales Sevens squad at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager, Ospreys Rugby, said: “Giorgi will add to the depth and experience available to the coaches at a crucial time of the season. He is physical and aggressive, as you’d expect with a Georgian forward. His country’s success in recent years has been built around the pack and he has been a key part of that.

“He is captaining an international team that includes a number of players featuring at the top end of the sport and to be able to bring in someone with his quality and leadership attributes at this time of the season is a significant boost.”