Four players depart Ospreys

In addition to Samoan international Filipo Levi, who revealed last month that he has signed for Newcastle following the completion of his short-term deal with the region, centre David Bishop, wing Leigh Bevan and second row Michael Collins have also been confirmed as leaving.

25 year-old Bishop is the most experienced of the three players confirmed today, making made 28 appearances in an Ospreys shirt after signing from Celtic Warriors in the summer of 2004. Having been a regular during his first year at the region, he suffered a fractured kneecap in a Celtic League game at Munster early the following season, an injury that required two operations and ultimately kept him out of Ospreys reckoning for three whole years. He returned to regional action in September 2008 against Glasgow, one of six appearances to his credit this season.

22 year-olds Bevan and Collins have both made just two Ospreys appearances apiece. Bevan's came during the final week of last season when he played in away games against Newport Gwent Dragons and Connacht, while Collins featured in early season derbies against Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets at the start of the 2007/08 campaign.

Ospreys Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, commented:

"This is always a difficult time for anyone involved in a professional sporting environment, but decisions have to be made for the good of both the region, and the individual players. I would like to pass on the best wishes of everybody at the Ospreys to the four players who are leaving us, we certainly wish them all the best for their future rugby careers, wherever it may take them. The attitude and commitment of all the players has always been unquestionable and they have been good servants to the region during their time as an Osprey."