'Mindset is to be the No1 hooker': Ospreys sign Scott Baldwin

Ex-Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has re-signed for Ospreys after his departure from Worcester on compassionate grounds last week. The 33-year-old, who made 165 appearances in a decade-long first spell with the Welsh side before leaving in 2019, has signed a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season.

“I am very grateful to the Ospreys for stepping in and offering me the chance to resume my career in Wales,” Baldwin told ospreysrugby.com. “The Ospreys is my home region and I have always been an Ospreys supporter. It is where I established myself and I still have good friends at the Ospreys.

“My mindset is to be the number one hooker at the Ospreys. I know no other way and everyone can see the changes at the region and how things have really started to move forward.”

Baldwin has been brought in as Ospreys are short in that position after Ifan Phillips’ career was ended by a motorbike crash in December which resulted in him having a leg amputated. “Everyone knows the tragic circumstances around Ifan Phillips that means the Ospreys require cover at hooker,” said head coach Toby Booth.

“With Dewi Lake being called up to the Wales squad, we need strengthening in that position. Scott will bring a wealth of experience of international rugby and of playing in the English Premiership. He also knows what it means to represent his home region.”

It was February 1 when Baldwin, who arrived at Sixways last summer after helping Harlequins to Gallagher Premiership title glory, left Worcester with immediate effect due to a serious illness in his family and the Warriors supported his request to be released from his contract.

“Our thoughts are with Scott and his family at this time,” said Steve Diamond, the lead rugby consultant at Worcester who is now in charge of the onfield rugby operation following the recent departure of head coach Jonathan Thomas.

“The last few months have been extremely challenging for Scott who has been travelling to and from South Wales. He has now reached the stage where he needs to spend more time in Wales and we fully understand the reasons why he has asked to be released from his contract.”