Ospreys announce raft of player departures as Wales international leaves after cruel injury

Wales and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert is one of seven players confirmed to be leaving the Ospreys this summer.

Ahead of their final home fixture of the season against the Dragons this weekend, Toby Booth's side have confirmed who will be going at the end of the current campaign.

Cuthbert, versatile back Mat Protheroe, wing Toby Fricker, back-row Will Hickey and scrum-half Cam Jones join confirmed leavers George North and Nicky Smith in departing the region at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. North is joining French outfit Provence, while Smith is heading to Leicester Tigers.

SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40.

Wing Cuthbert, who suffered a hamstring injury in March against Munster, will leave after three seasons in Swansea. The 34-year-old had been linked with a move to Japan prior to his injury, but his future is now up in the air as leaves the Ospreys.

Protheroe arrived from Bristol in 2020, with many expecting the fleet-footed back to make quite an impression. During his time with the Ospreys, he appeared in 41 matches - crossing for seven tries.

Fricker joined from Bristol Bears back in September, but played just once for the Ospreys - starting in their win over the Sharks in November.

Irish flanker Hickey joined the Ospreys back in 2021, after the former Leinster U19s captain impressed on a three-month trial. Recently, the former Ireland age-grade international has been spending time on loan with the Cheetahs in South Africa.

Scrum-half Jones - not to be confused with the prop who shares the same name and has signed a new deal at the Swansea.com Stadium - joined the Ospreys last August. The former Scotland U20s players - who is also Welsh-qualified - had previously been part of Edinburgh's and Glasgow Warriors' setups.

Speaking about the departures, head coach Booth said: “This part of the season is always a tough time, especially when you have to say goodbye to players that have given a lot to the club over the years.

“We wanted to get this announcement out prior to our last home fixture so that our supporters could join us in thanking the boys for everything they’ve contributed in an Ospreys jersey.”

Ospreys 2023/24 departures list:

Alex Cuthbert, Toby Fricker, Will Hickey, Cam Jones, George North, Mat Protheroe and Nicky Smith.