Booth can herald new era at Ospreys

FINALLY, there is some clarity at the Ospreys.

For my old region to appoint Toby Booth as their new head coach and get captain Justin Tipuric to commit to a new deal all in the same week is brilliant news.

Now this needs to be the start of something at the Liberty. I think the choice of Booth is a good one. He’s relatively young, will be hungry to succeed, and has experience of being the main man in charge from his time with London Irish. His biggest challenge will be getting everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. Booth needs to grab the bull by the horns and embrace the challenge coming his way.

As challenges go, it’s quite a big one! Booth will know that, but deep down I’m sure he’ll be excited. This season is a write off for the current squad, but the news on Booth will allow them to relax a bit.

They can have a free run at the rest of the current campaign and then they’ll have to ensure they hit the ground running this summer and at the start of next season.

Booth will know the quality of players he has to work with and I’m sure that will be one of the biggest reasons why he was attracted to the job.

In men like Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Justin, Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Webb, the Ospreys have very, very good players at their disposal.

I know those guys play most of their rugby with Wales and not the Ospreys, but they are also the backbone of a very good side.

As captain, Justin has shown great commitment by signing a new deal. He could have taken the pick of any club in world rugby, but he is a Trebanos boy through and through.

For Justin to turn down the likes of Bristol and numerous other clubs who would have been prepared to throw the cash book at him is some decision.

I’m sure it’s not one he would have taken lightly.

I know there was some fuss about Justin’s wages before the deal was done. All’s well that ends well, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d have told the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union he was off to England or France as soon as there was a little bit of disagreement.

Thank God he didn’t! Justin is one of Wales’ best players and certainly one of the best I’ve ever played with.

Hopefully he can lead the Ospreys back to where they belong which is at the top of Welsh rugby.