Ospreys: Canada captain Tyler Ardron signs three-year contract

Tyler Ardron made his Canada debut on the same day as Ospreys team-mate Jeff Hassler

Canada captain Tyler Ardron has signed a new three-year contract that will keep him at the Ospreys until 2017.

The 23-year-old, who was named Canadian player of the year in 2013, made a big impression during his first season at the Liberty Stadium.

The flanker is the 17th player to recommit to the Ospreys in 2014, joining the likes of captain Alun Wyn Jones,Eli Walker and Dan Baker.

"I'm very excited about the future after signing the new deal," he said.

"The amount of things I have learnt both on and off the field have helped me to develop as a person as well as a rugby player."

Ardron made 22 appearances in his first season with the Ospreys after moving from Ontario Blues in 2013.

Andrew Millward, rugby general manager at the Ospreys, believes Ardron, who has won 16 international caps, will only get better.

"We knew when we first signed Tyler that we had a fantastic prospect and a real athlete on our hands, and he is someone who has fitted really well into our environment over the last year," said Millward.

"He's got an outstanding work ethic, on and off the field, and is a natural leader.

"With that first year under his belt he is going to get better and better, and we see him playing a huge part in our future success so this is extremely positive news."

Ardron scored one of Ospreys' nine tries in their 62-13 Guinness Pro12 win over Edinburgh.