The Ospreys are working hard to retain the talented playmaker
Walsh is set to become eligible for Wales next year(Image: Icon Sport/Huw Evans Agency)
Ospreys utility back Jack Walsh, on the brink of Welsh qualification, is being targeted by clubs in England and overseas and could be set to leave Welsh rugby.
The Ospreys have been working hard to retain his services, while the Scarlets are also interested in signing Walsh. However, while no deal has yet been completed it looks increasingly likely the 26-year-old will leave Welsh rugby.
WalesOnline understands English giants Leicester Tigers are one of a handful of English clubs in the mix to sign Walsh, while there are also interested parties in France and Japan.
Walsh has been a key player for the Ospreys since joining the Welsh club from Exeter Chiefs in 2022.
The talented playmaker can slot in at outside-half and full-back, and he is also a goal-kicker, developing into an integral part of the Ospreys squad.
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Born in Florida but raised in Australia, Walsh would qualify for Wales on residency before the 2027 Rugby World Cup if he signed a new contract with one of the four professional Welsh clubs.
“Yeah, we are hopeful that he will be,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones last week when asked whether Walsh will sign a new contract with the Ospreys.
“We are having some good dialogue with him. We’ve been really upfront, both myself and Jack, just around the rugby stuff but also Dan’s working tirelessly on the contractual side of it as well.
“We really value Walshy. He knows how much we care about him.
“It’s pretty clear by how he trains, how he prepares and how he performs for us that he cares about the Ospreys.
“Both parties are doing their absolute best to try to get that over the line but look he’s a professional player.
“I fully understand and respect he wants to make sure he assesses all his options.
“You get one very short career in rugby and we fully respect he is doing his due diligence but we are still beavering away as hard as we can to make sure Jack is part of our squad moving forward.”
The Ospreys were handed a huge boost last week with the announcement Wales wing Tom Rogers had signed from the Scarlets and they would be equally as keen to keep Walsh at the club.
Steve Tandy will also be hoping Walsh remains in the Welsh game as he looks to expand the talent pool available to Wales.
But there are clubs in England and overseas who can easily outbid what is on offer to Walsh within the Welsh game.
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