The 26-year-has suffered another injury ravaged season after damaging an ACL on the opening weekend of the season. But he is due to return to action shortly and can’t wait to get back into an Ospreys shirt.
“It’s been a tough year for me and it seems like a really long time since I played any rugby. But the good thing is that, fingers crossed, I’m raring to go and really excited about getting back into action,” said the seven times capped Beck.
“I’ve had to be patient and work my way back to fitness with the physios and conditioners. I’ve had great support from them, from the coaches from everybody at the Ospreys and now that I’m back in training I just want to pay them back for that support.
“We’ve got a really young group at the moment and there is so much exciting talent coming through the ranks. It’s really exciting to be a part of the squad at the moment and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and competing for a place.”
A product of the region’s player development pathway, Beck progressed all the way through the ranks from junior rugby at Skewen and Tonmawr, through to the Ospreys age-grade teams, before representing Aberavon in the Principality Premiership, scoring 26 tries in 68 games for the Wizards.
He became the youngest Osprey when he came on as a late second half replacement at the Liberty against Leinster in November, 2007, still five months shy of his 18th birthday. It was a baptism by fire, going up against Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy in midfield.
His first start came 18 months, and five appearances, later in a defeat to Munster on the final day of the 2008/09 season. In January, 2015, he became the 23rd player to reach 100 appearances for the Ospreys when he led the team out at the Liberty Stadium for a 22-11 win over the Dragons.
His tally of 21 tries for the region to date including, famously, the Ospreys’ first in the dramatic 2012 PRO12 final win over Leinster in Dublin, is the ninth highest in the all-time list, with only Rhys Webb and Hanno Dirksen of the current squad scoring more.
Capped by Wales at all age-grade levels, he made his senior debut on the summer of Australia in 2012, playing in all three Tests and starting in the second and third. He has scored two international tries.
“Ashley is an Osprey to the core, someone who has immense pride in representing his home region. He has gained enormous experience despite still being a young man, whose best days are ahead of him,” said Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy.
“His talent on a rugby field is obvious to anyone who watches him. He’s had a pretty frustrating time with injury lately, but his selfless attitude has been fantastic, contributing to the environment on a daily basis, driving high standards from the rest of the group.
“He’s used his time wisely while sidelined, developing his coaching skills and experience, something that’ll help his on-field development as well. The challenge he now faces is to get himself up to speed and try to force his way back into the starting team.”
Beck has become the 11th player to commit his future to the region in recent months, following on from skipper Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb, who have all re-signed National Dual Contracts, Gareth Thomas, Ben John, Scott Otten, Tom Habberfield and Eli Walker.
Meanwhile, Wales U20 Grand Slam winners, Adam Beard and Owen Watkin, have signed their first professional contracts. In addition, the Ospreys have also confirmed the signing of in-form Crusaders three-quarter Kieron Fonotia on a two-year contract.
He will be joined at the Liberty Stadium next season by Scarlets and Wales prop, Rhodri Jones, and Dragons hooker, Hugh Gustafson.
