Tyler Ardron will lead the Ospreys into battle for the first time this weekend after being handed the captain’s armband by Steve Tandy for Saturday’s game against Benetton Treviso.
The 23-yearold from Ontario, captain of his national side since the 2014 summer internationals, takes over the responsibilities from regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones, who has not travelled with the team to Italy after Tandy rung the changes for their final European Rugby Champions Cup Pool Five match.
Ardron has made a huge impression since arriving in South Wales ahead of last season, featuring regularly at blindside and second row before shining in the number eight shirt in recent weeks. The former Ontario Blues man, who has 17 international caps, has played 33 times for the Ospreys to date, scoring three tries.
Speaking about being handed the captaincy, Ardron said today:
“It’s a huge honour for me to captain the Ospreys, there have been some absolute legends have done the job before me. Filling in for Alun Wyn, who is such an inspirational captain, is a challenge, but one that I’m excited about and proud to be undertaking. Hopefully I can do a good job on Saturday and help the team to the kind of performance expected of us, so that we can finish Europe on a high and then, hopefully, leading the Ospreys is something I’ll be fortunate enough to experience again in the future.”
Steve Tandy explained the appointment, saying:
“He may still be a young man, but Tyler is a mature individual who is the ultimate professional in everything he does. He is a natural leader, already with the experience of captaining his country, who has flourished in our environment. He’s diligent, knows his role and what is expected of him and his team-mates, and is a good communicator. He demands the highest standards from himself and those around him, and isn’t afraid of questioning anyone who doesn’t achieve those standards, whoever they are.
“Tyler is respected within the group and will have the support of his team-mates on and off the field this weekend, which is important for any captain. It’ll be a tough afternoon on Saturday, but Tyler is up to the challenge of leading the Ospreys.”