Rugby Transfers: Ospreys lose soon-to-be Welsh qualified back, Newcastle Red Bulls tie down ex-Scotland U20s ace and Wales stars make decision on futures
Jack Walsh (left) and Callum Sheedy (right) feature in the latest round-up of rugby transfers
Ospreys are set to lose a star back who is off to France next season, Newcastle Red Bulls have tied down consistent backline player, while a Wales Test pair have made calls on their club futures.
Check out our latest transfer news and rumours update:
Jack Walsh quits Ospreys for France
Ospreys back Jack Walsh will swap the Ospreys for France next season, signing a two-year deal with Montauban.
The versatile back, who can play both fly-half and full-back, joined the Swansea-based side in 2022 from Exeter Chiefs, and has made 76 appearances at the time of writing. His exit does come as somewhat of a blow for Welsh rugby, too, with him on the verge of Test qualification had he stayed at the region.
Walsh’s future had been somewhat under the microscope in recent weeks, amid reports several clubs were in the hunt for his signature, but he will now take his services across the Channel.
Commenting on his exit from Ospreys, Walsh said: “This club means a lot to me, so this was an extremely tough decision for me to make.
“I am incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent at the Ospreys, I’ve grown a lot as a player and a person since I joined the team, and I want to take this moment to thank everyone who has played a part in that.
“I have made lifelong friends, and the Osprey supporters have been amazing throughout my time at the region. I’ve loved my time in Wales, especially the people within it. I’d also like to thank Mark, the coaches and all the staff, it’s an amazing place to come to work every day.
“While it’s a bittersweet moment for me, I’m excited to embrace this opportunity and to test myself in a new environment. Until then, I’ll be giving my all on the pitch until the end of the season.”
Ospreys head coach, Mark Jones, added: “Walshy is a model professional and a great character so he will certainly be missed by everyone at the Ospreys.
“As a club, we did our best to keep him but he received an offer to test himself in different waters and we understand his motivations to pursue that opportunity.”
“Whilst Walshy will be a loss for us, we have already added some quality in Tom Rogers and it will also present more opportunity for our younger 15s coming through that we have high hopes for in an Ospreys jersey.”
Newcastle Red Bulls tie down ex-Scotland U20s ace
Cameron Hutchison will remain at Newcastle Red Bulls next season, after signing a new one-year deal with the club.
The 27-year-old re-joined the club part-way through the current season from PREM rivals Saracens, and has featured 11 times so far this campaign. This is also his second stint in the North East, initially joining in the 2022/23 season from Edinburgh.
Commenting on re-signing with Newcastle, Hutchinson said: “I’m really looking forward to another year with the club.
“With a lot of people joining us, it’s going to be a really competitive environment, and I’m looking forward to getting to know all the incoming players and staff and seeing what we can achieve.
“There’s a huge responsibility before then for the rest of this season, to create some memories and convert some of these improved performances into results.
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“My partner and I love Newcastle, and it’s really become home to us.
“The support has been exceptional despite results not being where we want, but I am looking forward to making more memories with our fans next year at Kingston Park.”
Newcastle’s sporting general manager, Neil McIlroy, added: “Cameron re-joined us during the autumn and has been a valuable member of our squad.
“He’s a direct runner who can help get us over the gain line, and we’re glad that he will be with us for this crucial season in our development as a group.”
Cardiff re-signings continue as Welsh international among latest to pen new deals
Callum Sheedy and Jacob Beetham have become the latest players to re-sign for Cardiff, penning deals for next season.
Sheedy returned to the Capital side from PREM outfit Bristol Bears in 2024, and has since made 38 appearances in that time. His form also saw him re-called into the Wales squad, and he made his Test return in last year’s Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Commenting on his decision to stay at Cardiff, Sheedy said: “Staying at Cardiff was an absolute no-brainer for me. When I signed for the club two years ago it was all about coming back to my home club and where it all started. It has been everything I dreamed of and more.
“The players and staff here are amazing and the culture we have built together makes every day so enjoyable.
“Playing at the Arms Park is the most special feeling. We have incredible supporters, they are close to the pitch and the atmosphere is electric.
“To be able to connect with the fans and see how much passion they have is a massive driving factor both for myself and the wider group.
“I’m really excited by what the future holds. It is a young and hungry group and I am desperate to do everything possible to make sure it is a successful period for the club.”
Cardiff head coach, Corniel van Zyl, added: “We are really happy that Sheeds has decided to stay at the club. He has become a really important player here and is enjoying a rich vein of form.
“He is quite a character and brings good energy to the group, while also managing the collective emotional levels.
“His rugby IQ is next level, and he manages matches and the training week very well. His communication and leadership is first class and he continually works hard to improve his all-round game.
“So he it’s an important re-signing for the club and I am looking forward to seeing him continuing his journey in Blue & Black. I know this place means a huge amount him and he is desperate to help us bring success.”
A product of the Cardiff pathway system, Beetham made his senior bow for the club in 2021 and has added a further 37 appearances since. His form has also seen him called into the Wales squad, making his Test debut in 2024. To date
Also commenting on his new deal with Cardiff, Beetham said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign another contract with Cardiff and in the end, it was a really easy decision to make.
“It’s my home club and I have loved being here with the first team this past five years. I love playing for Cardiff, at the Arms Park, where we have incredible support, and with some of my closest mates.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to push on in myself individually but also as a team. We have come a long way in the last few years, and it just shows now with this opportunity to make the URC play-offs and placing high in the rankings.
“We can continue to build on that, progressing game on game, and season and season. I can’t wait to carry on in and see where we can go as a team.”
On Beetham’s new deal, van Zyl added: “I’m excited for what the future holds for Jacob in blue and black. Not only is he very versatile but he is very good rugby player, with high skill level and knowledge of the game.
“He’s had a few injury issues in the past, which have prevented him from pushing on but he’s growing in consistency, adding to his game and pushing every week.
“He is enjoying some really good form at the moment and has settled well on the wing, which suits him with the way the game has developed.
“That versatility is invaluable to us and while it can be challenging at times for the individual, Jacob has the ability to nail his role in whatever position he plays.
“The next step is establishing himself as a certainty in our team and while he has had a taste with Wales, I am confident there is more to come.
“He is a great young player, who is diligent, professional and highly motivated and we are delighted to keep him here at the Arms Park.”
