Ospreys through the years timeline

Ospreys through the years: successes throughout our history

12th June
Rugby

As another season draws to a close, we’re looking back at the best of Ospreys’ through the years, as we get ready to embark on a new era at St Helen’s Sport Ground next season. From the fledgling days of the club, to recent runs in Europe and everything in between, here’s a look at the Osprey’s story so far: 

2003/04 – The ‘Neath Swansea Ospreys’ were formed in 2003, with our first competitive game taking place vs Ulster in the Celtic league. Dave Tiueti was the first try-scorer for the club and scored one of the four tries as Ospreys soared to a debut 41 – 30 victory over the Ulstermen.  


 

2004/05 – From an early league game victory to a debut title, the early days of Ospreys brought huge success, with a 29 – 12 victory over Edinburgh Rugby securing our first ever league title with a game in hand. 


 

2005/06 – With a successful squad, it came as little surprise that four Ospreys joined the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, with Brent Cockbain, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones and Shane Williams all touring that year. 

Gavin Henson of the Ospreys is a Lion in 2005/06

2006/07 – A big year in Ospreys history. Not only did we beat Australia 24 - 16 at the Liberty Stadium, we also recorded our second league title win as we lifted the Celtic League trophy following a (same score!) 24 -16 victory over the Border Reivers in their final game.


 

2007/08 - A defining game for Welsh Internationals and supporters alike: England. The 2008 Six Nations saw Warren Gatland name 13 Ospreys in the Wales team which defeated England 19 - 26 at Twickenham. 

13 Ospreys are named in the Wales squad to face England

 

2008/09 – Eight Ospreys were named in the 2009 Lions squad, including World Player of the Year Shane Williams. Joining him on the tour was Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, James Hook, Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne, Ryan Jones and Tommy Bowe. To date, this is the highest number of Lions the club has produced.

2008 2009 Shane

 

2009/10 - the first league final was lifted by the Ospreys. It was the third league title in our club's history and the first one secured via a final showdown, with a final score of Leinster 12 - 17 Ospreys. It was a tight fixture, with converted tries from Tommy Bowe and Lee Byrne, and a penalty from Dan Biggar securing the win. 


 

2010/11 - A try in the Magners League Semi-Final from Richard Fussell and two penalties from Dan Biggar saw us fall just short in an 18-11 defeat at Thomond Park, though this defeat was to be avenged the following season en route to league title glory... 

Ospreys make the league semi-final in 2011

 

2011/12 - Ospreys win their third league title in the first ever league final against Leinster at the RDS. The game was secured by a Shane Williams try in the 78th minute, before the Dan Biggar conversion sealed the win, full-time Leinster 30 – 31 Ospreys.  


 

2012/13 - Five Ospreys were named in the 2013 British and Irish Lions Squad that was victorious in Australia, including next season's incoming defence coach, Justin Tipuric, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, and Ian Evans. 

5 Ospreys named in the Lions squad for Austrlia

 

2013/14 - Ospreys are highest try scorers in the league with 59 line-crosses. Ashley Beck and Jeff Hassler were Osprey’s top try scorers and joint 2nd in the league for tries scored with eight a piece.  


 

2014/15 - Ospreys in the Community founded. From kids camps, to Sporting Memories sessions, to education programmes, we're so proud of the positive impact they have each and every day. OitC are celebrating their 10th year making a difference in our communities and want to support their vital, life-changing work? Find out more ➡️ http://ospreys.info/OITCGetIn 


 

2015/16 – Over the years, Ospreys pathways have been hugely successful in providing players to the club, to Wales and to the British and Irish Lions. In the 2015/16 season, nine Ospreys hit 50 or 100 cap milestones as our homegrown talent made an impact at the club. 

9 Ospreys hit 50 or 100 caps

 

2016/17 - Ospreys score full points in the EPCR group stages with wins over Grenoble, Lyon and Newcastle Falcons. We were the first and only team ever to achieve the feat in the old format! 


 

2017/18 - Dan Biggar becomes the only player to land a Judgement Day full-house, with a try, conversion, penalty and drop goal scored in one game, as we beat Cardiff Rugby 26 - 23 at the Principality Stadium. Over the years, just three players have achieved a full-house in any game: Gavin Henson, Dan Biggar and most recently, Dan Edwards. 


 

2018/19 - Ospreys beat Scarlets to secure Champions Cup qualification in a winner-takes-all play-off. On the day it was 21 - 10 thanks to scores from George North. Olly Cracknell and Hanno Dirksen and conversions from Sam Davies and Luke Price. 


 

2019/20 - Your most capped Osprey, Alun Wyn Jones, captains Wales to a World Cup semi-final vs eventual Champions, South Africa.

Alun Wyn Jones captains Wales in the World Cup semi final

2020/21 - Alun Wyn Jones is named captain for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021, with Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric also part of the touring squad. 

Alun Wyn Jones is Lions Captain 2021

2021/22 - The squad win first Welsh Shield, notching up victories home and away to Dragons and Cardiff and at home to Scarlets. 


 

2022/23 - Ospreys do the double, beating both the reigning French and English champions in the Champions Cup 🏆

🔵 Montpellier 10 - 21 Ospreys ⚫

⚫ Ospreys 35 - 29 Montpellier 🔵

🐯 Leicester Tigers 26 - 27 Ospreys ⚫

2023/24 - Ospreys win their first ever European knockout game as we defeated Sale Sharks 23 - 15 at a buzzing Brewery Field.

 

2024/25 - Ospreys Captain Jac Morgan is named in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia.

Jac Morgan has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia in 2025

4 league titles.

1 Anglo-Welsh Cup. 

23 British and Irish Lions tourists.

1 British and Irish Lions tour captain.

86 Welsh internationals in 22 years.

7 Welsh captains.

6 Six Nations titles, 4 Grand Slams.

We have a rich history of producing international quality talent, with a strong connection to our local area. As we embark on our next chapter at St Helen's next season, a ground steeped in international history itself, we cannot wait to see what comes next. 

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