Cardiff's rising star Harri Wilde is set to ignite the Ospreys' backline as he joins his regional rivals on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old fly-half's transfer to the Liberty Stadium comes hot on the heels of Jarrod Evans' re-signing, which has cranked up the pressure at the Arms Park.
The fledgling flyer made an auspicious URC debut in November 2025 against Zebre, and his move to Swansea is expected to provide crucial cover for Dan Edwards at fly-half. Cardiff retain the option to recall Wilde if needed, but it seems unlikely as he has already begun building a new chapter with Ospreys.
The Ospreys were in dire need of reinforcements after Jack Walsh's departure to Montauban left them scrambling for a reliable fly-half. But instead of going cap-in-hand, they turned to their regional rivals and brokered a deal that suits both parties. Head coach Mark Jones praised the partnership, calling it "a shining example of Welsh clubs putting aside their rivalry for the greater good."
Cardiff's Corniel van Zyl echoed this sentiment, highlighting the developmental benefits for Wilde: "This is a golden opportunity for Harri to put his skills to the test in a top-class environment and secure more game time in the URC." For his part, Wilde is raring to go: "I'm chuffed to bits – it's a great chance for me to test my mettle against new opponents, learn from different coaches and players, and take my game to the next level."
Wilde won't be the only newcomer in Swansea, as Ospreys have also poached Australian ace Lawson Creighton. The versatile flyer can cover fly-half, centre or full-back positions, adding further depth to their backline options. Back at Cardiff, Evans will be locked in a thrilling three-way battle with Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd for the starting fly-half jersey. Meanwhile, Wilde's URC campaign will provide valuable experience for his return to the Arms Park, where he'll feature for Cardiff's second team in Super Rygbi Cymru.