Ospreys Khan find a replacement. In fact looks like they already have.

Sorry for the pun. Link bellow suggests we've signed Tito Tebaldi.

http://www.insiderugby.it/node/3460

The link is in Italian but you get the idea. Apparently can play scrum half and fullback. Can't imagine its going to do a lot to Rhys Webb's confidence.

"Italian" and "can play sh" are not to be used lightly in conjuntion.

That hes not even in their top two (depending which way the winds blwoing), and doesnt always start for zebre, should ring alarm bells...especially when comparing to Khan.

Says a lot of Ospreys lack of faith in the depth of the talent in the welsh underbelly that theyd sign a foreign player of nothing more than reasonable quality. Not a bad player, but theyve had better and used to pitch higher.

Ospreys are a top side currently. Swapping Khan for Tebaldi is another chip away at the quality of their squad and another step away from that...if hes considered first choice. Possibly a decent bit of business though as he was probably getting paid in cents rather than euros at zebre

To be honest I dont really like the NWQ (NIQ/NSQ) players being from other 6 nations countries, you only have a limited number, and Ospreys could find it better to have the NWQ players available when the Welsh internations are called up, but in this case they will miss Tito Tebaldi as well.

PSW - the Ospreys have welsh international Rhys Webb (24), welsh age-grade international Tom Habberfield (20-21), and are rumoured to be in talks/signing current welsh under 20s scrum half Rhodri Williams (19). SO I am not too sure why they signed Tebaldi, unless they think he has a bit of experience that he can pass on to the youngsters.

Both excellent points. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. The only saving grace I can muster is that Gruff Rees knows him from his Aironi days so he must see something in him!

I've always thought Tebaldi is very under rated, hes a nippy 9 with a good eye for the break and a decent pass. He can also place kick.

The Ospreys would regularly field pretty much a whole welsh 15 with Kahn as 1 or maybe 2 NWQs. I really don't think that's a problem. The problem is in quality. Or or two quality overseas players is fine IMO. If Tebaldi is quality, then no probs. If not, then just go local.

It's a signing that has suprised me, there are a few decent scrum halves in the Welsh Premiership who might be able to step up as third choice.

Personally I was very impressed with Justin James at Llanelli last season, and if we need a winger why not bring through Luke Morgan from Bridgend or Lee Rees from Llandovery.

Their both small players but there is always space for the speedy side stepping winger, and fast scrum half.

Shifty I believe Lee Rees is/could be missing on sevens duty a fair bit, so even though he is a decent player, may not make the step up to regional due to sevens commitments.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21593159 wrote:Coach Jonathan Humphreys has revealed the Ospreys have no money to recruit players to bolster their squad in the summer.

The Ospreys, who are the reigning Pro12 champions, are the most successful side in the tournament, having won the title a record four times.
But the Ospreys forwards coach says they have no funds to spend on bringing in new players.
"We would love to spend in the summer but there is no money," said Humphreys.
"There is no money at all for us and that comes from factors like having the least funding of anybody.
"Therefore, there is no money left to go and strengthen."

Not sure what to make of that? Does he mean that they are being given less than their equal share of cash from the WRU, or with Cuddy pulling out that they are now getting less overall cash in than the other three? Also seeing as I have seen two international scrum halves (and one age grade scrum half) linked with a move to the liberty, does that mean the rumours are untrue or he is just playing the 'poor us' card?

The regions in wales still share £15million per year between them before ticket sales and sponsorship etc is even taken into account which is not an insignificant amount.

More money means more foreign signings and less opportunities for welsh youngsters.