Ospreys confirm Januarie signing

THE Ospreys have confirmed they have secured the signing of scrum-half Ricky Januarie, who will be added to their Heineken Cup squad in time for December's double header against Viadana.

The 27-year old Springbok has agreed a three-month loan with the region, which has been approved by the WRU, to provide emergency cover in the scrum-half position with all three named scrum-halves in the Ospreys European squad ruled out through long term injury.

With Mike Phillips likely to be missing for another three months, Jamie Nutbrown suffering from a damaged cruciate ligament and Tom Isaacs ruled out for the season after a shoulder operation, Shane Williams has been left as the only possible scrum-half cover in the Heineken Cup squad.

Januarie, who has 40 caps for South Africa, will arrive in the region at the start of December, ahead of the Viadana fixtures on December 12 and 19.