Toby Booth: Ospreys look for head coach to stay long-term
- Published
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has spent coaching stints with London Irish, Bath and Harlequins
URC: Ospreys v Ulster |
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Venue: Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea Date: Sunday, 18 February Kick off: 15:00 GMT |
Coverage: Live BBC Radio Foyle commentary plus live scores and match report on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley hopes head coach Toby Booth will stay at the organisation for the long-term.
Booth joined the Welsh side in 2020 and has helped regenerate the side after losing star names Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate and Gareth Anscombe.
Ospreys have won eight out 13 games this season and host Ulster on Sunday.
"I am not going to talk about anybody's contract but I am working well with Toby and hope he stays here for a long time," said Bradley.
"I think he has done a great job. He is very experienced and when you are facing the kind of challenges in terms of the salary cap being cut to the level it is, that kind of knowledge is invaluable."
With squad budgets being reduced to £4.5m from £5.2m next season, the four Welsh professional sides are battling to hold onto star assets.
"It is important to hold onto players you have developed and that's more challenging with the salary cap," said Bradley.
"Players want to be well paid but it can never be the case that it is just about money. The players we have got here, most of them could probably get more money by going elsewhere, whether it be France, England or Japan.
"They don't because they like playing for Ospreys whether it be the club's history, being from the area, the team spirit Toby has got going, there are a lot of players re-signing.
"We have challenges with budgets next season but we have a fantastic bunch of players and youngsters coming through our academy.
"That's critical and regardless of what the salary cap is going to be, that's going to be a cornerstone going forward. We want local young players playing for Ospreys."
Lance Bradley spent four years in charge at Gloucester
'Marquee players unlikely for Ospreys'
There is an additional option with the ability to sign marquee players on top of the £4.5m.
Some of the professional sides have been exploring these options although Bradley says Ospreys will not.
"We have budgeted up to the salary cap so that's what we are going to do," said Bradley.
"You can spend money on marquee players outside the salary cap and there are some complicated rules set out what that has to look like.
"Marquee players can be a mixed blessing because people find out who they are and you know some people are being paid more than everybody else, that's not necessarily the best for team spirit.
"If clubs want to do that they can but we probably won't."
Bradley is a proactive chief executive who is an active presence on social media.
"I am happy to do it," said Bradley.
"Essentially we are in the entertainment business and the more people you get engaged in what you are doing, the more people likely to come along.
"There are things I can do as the chief executive that the club's social media channels can't.
"I have been engaging with fans from all four sides and that is fantastic. People talking about Welsh rugby is a good thing and if I can play a part then great."
'Anglo-Welsh league not on the agenda'
Munster players celebrate with the United Rugby Championship title in 2023
One thing Bradley disagrees with is the Welsh fans calling for an Anglo-Welsh league rather than stay in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Bradley was Gloucester chief executive for five years and insists a league of English and Welsh clubs is not on the agenda.
"I spent five years in English rugby and it wasn't talked about and is not on the agenda," said Bradley.
"I think some people are reminiscing about a time that never was. I get the argument, I see Cardiff selling out against Harlequins and nearly selling out against Bath and it looks like we will sell out against Sale.
"The point I am trying to make to fans is that it is not an option at the moment, we are in and committed to the URC.
"It is a very popular league everywhere except Wales where there is a high degree of negativity so there is work to be done on that.
"It is no good wishing we were in something else and everything would be ok. It's not on the cards at all.
"Will it be one day in the future? I don't know, nothing is permanent but we have to make the URC work."
Bradley added: "People say to me it is not meaningful competition and they don't like playing South African sides.
"It surprises me because firstly when I go to support my team, I am interested in who they are playing, but I am primarily there to watch my team.
"South Africa are World Cup winners, so why would you not want to watch the teams from there?
"People say to me it's the away fans and in English games you get loads of them. You don't. It's about 5%-10% so I find it hard to believe that's the reason people are not turning up."
Bradley remains confident about Welsh rugby's future and believes new Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney will help turn the organisation's flagging fortunes around.
"I have met Abi a few times and spoken a lot to her on the phone," said Bradley.
"I feel confident she is going to drive forward the changes needed. She is working collaboratively with the professional clubs and that's positive."