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Ospreys sign ex England U20 loosehead prop on loan

James Kenny of Exeter Chiefs is tackled by Antoine Tichit of Castres Olympique during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Exeter Chiefs and Castres Olympique at Sandy Park on January 21, 2023 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Exeter Chiefs loosehead prop James Kenny is set to make a move from the Gallagher Premiership to the United Rugby Championship after signing for the Ospreys on loan.

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The 24-year-old has made 33 appearances for the Chiefs having come through their academy, scoring two tries. The 18st 3lb prop has also had spells with Plymouth Albion and the Cornish Pirates. He has not featured, however, in the Chiefs’ opening three matches of the Gallagher Premiership season.

The announcement comes ahead of the Ospreys’ fixture against the Sharks in London today at the Stoop, home of Harlequins.

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WATCH as Ospreys coach Toby Booth and Sharks counterpart John Plumtree explains to @king365ed why the URC has a duty to entertain on a World Cup level

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WATCH as Ospreys coach Toby Booth and Sharks counterpart John Plumtree explains to @king365ed why the URC has a duty to entertain on a World Cup level

Looking ahead to his move to the URC, the former England under-20 prop said: “It’s an honour to join Ospreys for this season, it’s a club with a rich heritage and passionate fan base.

“My journey with the Chiefs so far has prepared me well for this exciting new chapter in my career. I’m grateful for the chance to bring what I’ve learned and my style of play to this quality squad. I feel privileged to be a part of this environment and I can’t wait to put on the black jersey.

“I’m eager to contribute to the team, take on exciting new challenges, and make a significant impact on and off the pitch.”

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: “We are excited to welcome James to the team. He is a talented player with a lot to offer, and we believe he will fit right in with our current squad.

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“We have a long history of developing talented individuals, and we’re confident that James will seize this opportunity to develop further, while making a significant contribution to the squad.”

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G
GrahamVF 1 hour ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

"has SA actually EVER helped to develop another union to maturity like NZ has with Japan," yes - Argentina. You obviously don't know the history of Argentinian rugby. SA were touring there on long development tours in the 1950's

We continued the Junior Bok tours to the Argentine through to the early 70's

My coach at Grey High was Giepie Wentzel who toured Argentine as a fly half. He told me about how every Argentinian rugby club has pictures of Van Heerden and Danie Craven on prominent display. Yes we have developed a nation far more than NZ has done for Japan. And BTW Sa players were playing and coaching in Japan long before the Kiwis arrived. Fourie du Preez and many others were playing there 15 years ago.


"Isaac Van Heerden's reputation as an innovative coach had spread to Argentina, and he was invited to Buenos Aires to help the Pumas prepare for their first visit to South Africa in 1965.[1][2] Despite Argentina faring badly in this tour,[2] it was the start of a long and happy relationship between Van Heerden and the Pumas. Izak van Heerden took leave from his teaching post in Durban, relocated to Argentina, learnt fluent Spanish, and would revolutionise Argentine play in the late 1960s, laying the way open for great players such as Hugo Porta.[1][2] Van Heerden virtually invented the "tight loose" form of play, an area in which the Argentines would come to excel, and which would become a hallmark of their playing style. The Pumas repaid the initial debt, by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park, and emerged as one of the better modern rugby nations, thanks largely to the talents of this Durban schoolmaster.[1]"


After the promise made by Junior Springbok manager JF Louw at the end of a 12-game tour to Argentina in 1959 – ‘I will do everything to ensure we invite you to tour our country’ – there were concerns about the strength of Argentinian rugby. South African Rugby Board president Danie Craven sent coach Izak van Heerden to help the Pumas prepare and they repaid the favour by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park.

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