Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that Giorgi Nemsadze will remain with the Region next season after earning an extension to the short term deal he signed in March.

The 33-year old Georgian has made a positive impression since arriving at Llandarcy Academy of Sport and has featured twice for the Ospreys in the Guinness PRO14 to date.

“I’m really happy to be staying with the Ospreys” said Nemsadze, currently preparing for Sunday’s Champions Cup qualifier against Ulster.

“I’m proud to play for this team and I hope that I can help the Ospreys to be successful. I really like Swansea and Wales, and I’m looking forward to being here next season and, maybe, after that as well.”

After captaining Georgia to European Rugby Championship (Six Nations B) success earlier this year, the 81 times capped Nemsadze will link up with the Lelos again next month for their summer internationals against Tonga, Fiji and Japan.

Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys, welcomed the confirmation that the former Montauban, Agen, Tarbes and Bristol man will be part of the squad in 2018/19, saying:

“Giorgi has already made a big impression with his physicality and the leadership qualities you’d expect of an international captain, quickly settling in to our environment. 

“He is someone with huge experience. He’s battle hardened, and is a first class professional who can be a positive influence, helping the development of our younger players while providing the coaches with another quality option in the pack.”

Nemsadze is the 13^th current senior squad member at the Ospreys to commit for next season, following on from skipper Alun Wyn Jones, Welsh internationals Rory Thornton, Rhodri Jones, James King, Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and Sam Cross, along with Olly Cracknell, Ma’afu Fia, Sam Parry and highly rated youngsters Will Jones and Reuben Morgan-Williams.

In addition, 11 local teenagers have been secured on development contracts with three of them, Dewi Cross, Dewi Lake and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, having already featured for the senior Ospreys team this season.

Eluned Morgan, Mid and West Wales AM, is holding a Money and Wellbeing Advice event called “Your Health, Your Wealth” at the Miner’s Welfare Hall in Ammanford on Friday 18th May between 10.30am and 1.30pm.

She says:

“Come along to this free event for advice on how to manage money and keep well by speaking to advisors from a range of local organisations including Citizens Advice, Men’s Sheds Cymru, Eiriol, Carmarthenshire Trading Standards, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the local Credit Union and many more.

“I will also be holding an advice surgery, if you have an issue to discuss do come along and see me on Friday 18th May 2018 at the Miner’s Welfare Hall, Ammanford between 10.30 – 1.30pm.”

Scarlets will take on Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO14 semi final on Friday night at Scotstoun Stadium as the West Wales region look to secure a victory for an opportunity to retain the trophy in Dublin next weekend.

Conference A leaders Glasgow secured a home semi final after an impressive season in the cross-conference competition, finishing seven points clear of second placed Munster at the end of the regular season games.

The Scarlets will take on Glasgow after securing a victory over newcomers Cheetahs in the quarter-final and will be hoping to see a repeat of last year’s successes to pave the way to the final, to be held once again in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, on Saturday 26^th May.

Head coach Wayne Pivac has selected a strong side for the clash peppered with international talent both in the pack and across the backline.

With Leigh Halfpenny unavailable due to a hamstring injury, sustained in the quarter-final clash against Cheetahs, Scarlets have been forced to make one change to the backline. Kiwi Johnny Mcnicholl makes a timely recovery from shoulder injury to take Halfpenny’s place at fullback.

Two personnel changes upfront see Aaron Shingler returning to the starting XV, which in turn sees fans favourite Tadhg Beirne return to the second row to partner Steve Cummins with Lewis Rawlins moving to the replacements bench.

Looking ahead to the game Head Coach Wayne Pivac said; “They’ve got a very good record at home. They play on a different surface, which they’re used to, so they have a bit of an advantage there, but it’s 80 minutes of knockout rugby. We think we’re in a reasonably good position in terms of our form going in to it.

“We’re really looking forward to it. We have a lot of respect for Glasgow, they have a good coaching group, some greats players and they’ve got a very strong home record. It makes for a good match-up. Both teams like to play, use the width of the field, and with that type of play it could be a great game.

“Boys enjoy knockout rugby and they enjoy being in these situations. We’re going in there with the mindset that we need to secure a top performance to be able to get on the right side of the ledger.”

Scarlets team to take on Glasgow in the Guinness PRO14 semi final, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 18^th May;

15 Johnny Mcnicholl, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens ©, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Steve Cummins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay

Replacements; Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, Lewis Rawlins, Will Boyde, Jonathan Evans, Dan Jones, Steff Hughes

Wales squad to face Mexico in the USA on Monday 28 May.

The Ospreys have made Argentine back rower, Guido Volpi, their latest recruit after he impressed on trial with the Region last month.

The 22-year old, who can play at number eight and blindside flanker, will join up with the squad for pre-season training ahead of the new campaign.

Part of his country’s high performance programme as a youngster, Volpi played for CUQ Rugby in Buenos Aires before heading to France last summer to sign for Narbonne, captaining the club in the ‘Espoirs’ competition for U23 teams.

He spent a week at Llandarcy Academy of Sport earlier this year, training with the senior team. At 1.93m tall and 110kg, he impressed with his athleticism and intelligence, his potential earning him a full contract at the Ospreys.

Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys, said: 

“Guido is a fantastic athlete, with size, pace and the ability to offload. He really impressed during his time with us, not only with his physical capabilities, but also his ability to adapt and learn quickly.

“Our age grade pathway and academy are bringing through some fantastic talent, but Guido will bring something different. We are excited to see how he will progress surrounded by quality players and coaching.

”There is a real excitement and desire within these young men to be a part of the Ospreys. We are looking forward to seeing how the blend of quality internationals and hungry young talent can create a vibrant, competitive environment.”

Volpi is one of seven new faces already confirmed for next season, following on from Wales backs George North, Scott Williams and Aled Davies, Namibian international wing Lesley Klim and props Tom Botha and Gheorghe Gajion, in addition to the 11 youngsters stepping up from the development programme to join the ‘B’ group next month.

“I am very happy to sign for the Ospreys” said Volpi.

“They are a big club and are always ambitious about their goals. It will be my first experience at that level, so I’m really looking forward to it and I hope to benefit from this and grow as a player.”

The recently launched Rural Volunteering Programme, led by Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) and funded by RDP LEADER will be establishing specialist volunteering “hubs” in eight venues across the county over the coming months.

The Programme aims to tackle a range of issues around volunteering in rural areas, including providing volunteering opportunities, providing training for volunteers and promoting the health and wellbeing, social and community values of volunteering.

The project’s hubs will offer opportunities as a drop in centre for anyone wanting an informal chat about volunteering, whether they are looking for volunteers for an event or project they are running or whether they are interested in volunteering opportunities.

Information on free training will also be on offer.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member for communities and rural affairs, Cllr Cefin Campbell, said: “The benefits of volunteering are numerous. It can broaden horizons and skill sets for those volunteering and improving employability. Volunteers can also be a great asset to organisations and companies who recruit them.

“This is a fantastic project to help our rural areas and we are delighted to be supporting it.

“I would urge anyone with an interest in volunteering or who can provide opportunities for volunteers, to drop in to their nearest hub”.

The hubs are located across rural Carmarthenshire, in Glanaman, The Gwendraeth, St. Clears, Whitland, Drefach Felindre, Llanybydder, Llandeilo and Llanelli.

To find out more, contact CAVS on (01267) 245555/ e-mail admin@cavs.org.uk or visit their website www.cavs.org.uk/rural-volunteering/the-hubs/

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP), which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.