The Ospreys have been busy strengthening their pack
The Ospreys have targeted the signing of highly-rated Cardiff hooker and Wales age-grade international Efan Daniel.
Daniel, who was a member of Wales’ touring squad of Australia last summer, is out of contract at the Arms Park and has also been attracting interest from the English Premiership and another Welsh club, but the Ospreys have emerged as the frontrunners for his signature.
The 22-year-old has yet to win his first Wales cap but did represent his country in the victory over Queensland Reds last season.
Daniel is considered a top prospect and it is likely to be only a matter of time before he wears the red of Wales in a Test match.
But Cardiff are well-stocked at hooker with club captain Liam Belcher and Wales international Evan Lloyd on their books, while they have high hopes for academy prospect Tom Howe. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Daniel is a powerful hooker who is strong at the set-piece and relishes the physical confrontations around the park.
Injuries have held him back in recent seasons but he undoubtedly has the potential to kick on with his career over the long-run.
The Ospreys have senior Wales international Dewi Lake on their books but WalesOnline understands he only signed a one-year contract and will inevitably attract interest from big-spending clubs in England and France over the coming seasons.
Mark Jones’ side also have George McGuigan in their ranks but the 31-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season, while Lewis Lloyd is also highly rated. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
But the Welsh club see Daniel as a big part of their plans moving forward and are hoping to get a deal over the line before the start of the 2025/26 season.
Cardiff entered administration two weeks ago and are now owned by the Welsh Rugby Union but there will not be an exodus of players from the famous Welsh club. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
The Ospreys have been busy strengthening the squad ahead of their move away from the Swansea.com Stadium to St Helen’s midway through next season.
Jones has added Queensland Reds second-row Liam Smith to his squad, while former Wales backrower Ross Moriarty is expected to come on board from French club Brive.
