Jerry Collins has agreed to join the Ospreys from French club Toulon after agreeing a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old 48 times capped All Black joins a stellar Ospreys squad whose backrow riches also include Collins’s fellow New Zealander Marty Holah and Wales captain Ryan Jones.
Collins last test for New Zealand was the 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat against France in Cardiff.
He hasn’t enjoyed the best of times in Toulon but there is no doubting his pedigree or ability.
Ospreys elite performance director Andrew Hore said: “Jerry Collins is a proven world-class performer who brings with him both a real hard edge and ‘go-forward’ ability, as well as an uncompromising attitude on and off the field.
“He will complement the other loose forwards that we have at the Ospreys, and importantly, will be available for selection throughout the season, providing valuable cover for the times when we lose so many players to the Wales side.
“The Ospreys remain 100 per cent committed to producing home-grown talent, and are immensely proud of our record in bringing through players for both the Ospreys and Wales teams.”
