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Ospreys sign ex England U20 loosehead prop on loan

By Josh Raisey
James Kenny of Exeter Chiefs is tackled by Antoine Tichit of Castres Olympique during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Exeter Chiefs and Castres Olympique at Sandy Park on January 21, 2023 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Exeter Chiefs loosehead prop James Kenny is set to make a move from the Gallagher Premiership to the United Rugby Championship after signing for the Ospreys on loan.

The 24-year-old has made 33 appearances for the Chiefs having come through their academy, scoring two tries. The 18st 3lb prop has also had spells with Plymouth Albion and the Cornish Pirates. He has not featured, however, in the Chiefs' opening three matches of the Gallagher Premiership season.

The announcement comes ahead of the Ospreys' fixture against the Sharks in London today at the Stoop, home of Harlequins.

Looking ahead to his move to the URC, the former England under-20 prop said: "It’s an honour to join Ospreys for this season, it’s a club with a rich heritage and passionate fan base.

“My journey with the Chiefs so far has prepared me well for this exciting new chapter in my career. I'm grateful for the chance to bring what I've learned and my style of play to this quality squad. I feel privileged to be a part of this environment and I can't wait to put on the black jersey.

“I'm eager to contribute to the team, take on exciting new challenges, and make a significant impact on and off the pitch.”

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: "We are excited to welcome James to the team. He is a talented player with a lot to offer, and we believe he will fit right in with our current squad.

“We have a long history of developing talented individuals, and we're confident that James will seize this opportunity to develop further, while making a significant contribution to the squad."