Allen pens new Ospreys deal

Ospreys have announced that centre, Cory Allen, is the second player to commit to the region is as many days. Allen, 26-years old, has been in impressive form this season, his second with the Ospreys, scoring five tries in 19 games so far this campaign.

The positive news comes following Luke Morgan also confirmed a new deal to stay at the Liberty Stadium next year and beyond.

Speaking about his new deal, Allen admitted he was delighted to be staying at the Ospreys.

“Yes, I am” he said

“It’s been a tough couple of months for a few of the boys but ,from the start of the season, I spoke to Clarkie, I spoke to the coaches, and this is where I want to be. I’m really thrilled now to get it signed and get it all sorted.

“It’s been a big year for me, the most games I’ve played in a season, and that’s allowed me to keep doing the little things right, keep working on my game and keep developing. Jockey (Matt Sherratt) has been really good at helping me keep on top of that.

“There are four big games left for us now, we are still in the hunt, and we want to go out and secure that third spot.”

Like his former Wales Sevens colleague Morgan, the Cardiff born centre has agreed a new two-year deal with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Capped by Wales at U18 and U20 level, the former Cardiff Blues man made a huge impression on the sevens circuit and claimed a HSBC Sevens World Series Fans’ Favourite Try of the Year award for his solo effort in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens against Fiji.

Allen has six full Wales caps, the latest coming on the unbeaten tour of the Pacific Nations two summers ago where he worked closely with Matt Sherratt.

Having linked up with the Ospreys for the first time off the back of that tour, he won the Guinness man of the match award on his debut at the Liberty on the opening day of the 17/18 season, a 22-13 win over Zebre. He has six tries from 28 appearances to date.

Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, welcomed the news, saying:

“Cory has been one of our most consistent performers this season so this new contract is richly deserved.

“He’s had a good run of form and we’ve seen real growth in him as a person, on and off the field.

“It’s clear that there is more to come from Cory, who we believe has the potential to be a really big player for us in the future so this is fantastic news for Ospreys Rugby.”