The Ospreys are delighted to confirm that hooker Scott Baldwin has signed a new two-year contract.
The 22-year old has put pen-to-paper on a deal that will keep him in an Ospreys shirt until the end of the 2012/13 season.
Baldwin was originally signed by the Ospreys in January 2009 after impressing in the Welsh Premiership with home town club Bridgend, and although his chances in an Ospreys shirt have been limited so far, his form for Swansea over the last two seasons combined with his hard work on the training paddock has earned him an extended contract.
His Ospreys debut came two months after he signed for the region, against Leinster at the Liberty Stadium, since when he has added a further two appearances, the most recent of which came this season against Newcastle in the LV= Cup.
Ospreys Forwards Coach, Jonathan Humphreys, commented:
“We’ve got high hopes for Scott. He’s a big guy, who has worked extremely hard on his game while he’s been with us and technically he is improving all the time.
“The hooker position at the Ospreys is a very competitive one, which is exactly how it should be as we want players to drive each other on in competition for the shirt. We expect Scott to be there or thereabouts in the next couple of seasons. We’d like to think that two of our hookers will be at the World Cup later this year, which will provide him with a huge opportunity, which hopefully he will take with both hands.
“The pleasing thing about Scott is he is someone who was overlooked at age-grade level, but had the character and desire to make a big impression in the Premiership, which was recognised when we handed him his first contract two years ago. If he wants to continue his development and become a fully fledged Osprey, then he will need to show the diligence of the other young guys who have worn the shirt recently.”
Speaking after signing his new deal, Baldwin added:
“Obviously I’m really happy to have re-signed, hopefully it means that the coaches have seen something in me for the future. The next two years will be massive for me now, with the new contract meaning I can focus on my development.
“Working with three international hookers, and a former Wales captain as Forwards Coach, I’ve really learned a lot since I joined the Ospreys. I’m really looking forward to next season now, the coaches have told me that they expect me to step up when the World Cup is on. There could be two hookers away, so it will be a real opportunity for me to show what I can do.”