Ospreys sign lock Spencer from Northampton

Will Spencer spent time on loan with London Welsh at the beginning of his professional career

Ospreys have signed Northampton lock Will Spencer as cover for injured Wales lock Adam Beard.

Beard, who is in line to join Montpellier at the end of the season, suffered an ankle injury during Wales' autumn series defeat against Australia and is expected to be sidelined for three months.

Spencer, 32, arrived in Northampton at the start of the 2024-25 season on a short-term deal from French Pro D2 side Soyaux-Angouleme and has played two games in the Premiership Cup this season.

He has made 76 appearances in the Premiership during stints with Worcester Warriors, Leicester and Bath.

Spencer has been registered in time for the Challenge Cup trip to face Montpellier on Saturday.

After coming through the Bath academy set-up, Spencer made his senior debut in 2013.

Spencer moved to Worcester in 2016, where his 30 appearances across two seasons earned him an international call into England's squad for a training camp in 2017.

He then switched to Leicester in 2018 where he made 33 appearances before returning to Bath in 2020.

The lock featured in both the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup in his second stint at the Rec, making 42 appearances before heading to France.