The Ospreys are delighted to confirm that second row James Goode has signed a new one-year contract.
The 27-year old has earned an extended stay with the region after arriving in Ospreylia on a short term contract last November, today penning a deal which will keep him at the Liberty Stadium next season.
Former Cardiff Blues lock Goode joined the Ospreys last autumn after returning to the UK following three seasons of playing Air NZ Cup rugby with Manawatu Turbos. Brought in to initially provide cover at a time when the Ospreys were without two second rows on international duty and a further six through injury, he made two appearances in an Ospreys shirt as well as featuring regularly in the Premiership with Swansea.
A member of the Grand Slam winning Wales U21 team of 2003, Cardiff born Goode came through the ranks at Cardiff Blues, making 15 appearances (12 starts) before heading to New Zealand in 2007 after a hamstring injury had disrupted his final season at the Arms Park.
Speaking after signing his new contract, Goode said:
"I'm delighted that I've been able to sign a new contract which means that I'll be staying with the Ospreys for another year. It's been up in the air for a while, I've been waiting to find out what was going to happen, but it's great that I've got the opportunity to stay.
"I came in as injury cover originally, and that was extended until the end of the season. Although I've not played a lot I've enjoyed myself and I definitely think that I've developed as a player since I came here.
"There is real competition for places in the second row here but it's a long season and I'd like to think that I'll get chances to show what I can do, and when they come along I'd like to think that I'll be able to take those opportunities. My strengths are in the set-piece, areas like the line-out and restart, but the work I've done with the guys behind the scenes has helped me to improve in the contact area and I'm a better player for that. I'm looking forward to challenging for a place and hopefully really making an impact in an Ospreys shirt."
Ospreys Coach, Jonathan Humphreys, added:
"James has made a huge impression since he got here. He's a fantastic professional who has done so much work behind the scenes, not only on improving his own game but to assist the other second rows and to help the team prepare for matches. His attitude and willingness is second to none, and we believe that he can play for us at the highest level.
"It is a very strong department for us, which will provide him with a challenge, but the flip side of that is there will be times during the season where we could be without three or four players in that position. We see James as another part of the jigsaw that can help ensure we are successful on all fronts, and if he takes his chances when he gets them, I have no doubt at all that he has the ability, the desire and the attitude to make the most of them and to really challenge for that shirt.
"At the Ospreys not only are we are committed to developing young talent, and we have an enviable track record for doing so, we have also shown our ability to take good players and make them even better in the likes of Tommy Bowe and Nikki Walker. If James can follow in their footsteps then he'll have a bright future as an Osprey ahead of him."