Cory Allen: Wales international says he will improve after joining Ospreys

Wales centre Cory Allen has played 56 times for Cardiff Blues, scoring 12 tries

Cardiff Blues and Wales centre Cory Allen will join Ospreys at the end of the season insisting the move will improve him as a player.

The 24-year-old, who has signed a two-year-contract, moves to the Swansea-based region having fallen out of favour at the Blues.

Allen, who has won four caps for Wales, said it was an easy decision to make.

"There was only ever going to be one place I wanted to play rugby next season" he said.

Allen, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance for Wales against Uruguay at the 2015 World Cup, has been overtaken by the likes of New Zealanders Rey Lee-Lo and Willis Halaholo in the Blues pecking order.

While Leicester's Welsh centre, Jack Roberts, will move to the Arms Park in the summer.

"The Ospreys are playing some great rugby this year and, personally, I can't wait to be a part of the squad next season," said Allen.

"You look at where the Ospreys are at the moment, they are in a good place as a team and competing on two fronts, with a great style of rugby.

"There's a young squad and the prospect of competing next season with some of the quality centres already there is an exciting one."

Allen said the chance to work with Ospreys head coach, Steve Tandy, and to link up again with backs coach, Gruff Rees, who Allen worked with in the Wales under-18s previously, had also been a big reason behind the move.

Fijian international, Josh Matavesi, who signed for Ospreys in January 2014, will join Newcastle next season

"When you look at their record for developing players it's pretty impressive by any standards," Allen added.

"Everyone who goes there seems to improve as a player, it's what the Ospreys are best at. You never stop looking to improve and being at the Ospreys can help me do that.

"I'm still young with, hopefully, a long career ahead of me. I still have Wales ambitions having had a taste of it, I want to be playing in big Pro12 and European games."

Meanwhile, Ospreys centre Josh Matavesi will join Newcastle for next season.

With Matavesi leaving, Allen will compete against players such as Ashley Beck, Ben John, Kieron Fonotia, Owen Watkin and the returning James Hook for a starting place at the Liberty Stadium.

"Along with Hooky, also arriving in the summer, we have two fresh options who will really increase competition in the squad," said Ospreys head coach Tandy.

"It's going to be a really positive to have Cory around, he's got some real qualities that will help us develop our game, while we will be good for him.."