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Rugby Union

Ospreys deny Cockbain exit

23/06/2007

Ospreys' director of rugby Kevin Hopkins has denied that Welsh lock forward Brent Cockbain will be leaving the side this summer.

Cockbain had hoped to quit the Swansea-based side after seven years in the Welsh game but Hopkins has today denied him the opportunity to go and expects him to be available for their first pre-season friendly.

A statement from the club said: "Kevin Hopkins, director of Rugby, has today quashed all rumours of Brent Cockbain leaving the Ospreys, confirming that Brent is under contract for the season, and will be in the line-up squad against Bristol on 24th August."

Cockbain was a shock omission from Wales' 41-man provisional squad for the World Cup which begins in September but the 32-year-old says he still has ambitions to play for his country.

The Australian-born forward said he wanted a new challenge in his career and hoped the club would let him out of the final year of his contract.

Cockbain injured his hamstring last season and missed the majority of Ospreys' campaign. Since then youngsters Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones have flourished and the club have also signed Ian Gough from Newport Gwent Dragons.

"I don't want to be holding tackle bags for the most part of next season," said Cockbain when giving his reasons for wanting to move on.

He began his career in Wales with Pontypridd in 2000 after a season with London Irish. They became Celtic Warriors and Cockbain joined the Ospreys when the Warriors disbanded.

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