Wales flanker Dan Lydiate will return to action next month after missing the Wales tour to New Zealand through injury. The Ospreys forward believes he is not far from recovering from a shoulder problem, although he may not make the opening weeks of the Guinness Pro12 campaign.

Bradley Davies has admitted Wales were given “a right kicking” by the All Blacks this summer – but insists his teammates are ready to respond. Davies, who left the tour early because of a knee injury, has been declared fit for the start of the season which kicks off on September 2.

Steve Tandy has heaped praise on new defence coach Brad Davis for the impact he is making at the Ospreys. Head coach Tandy watched his team beat Leicester Tigers 26-21 at the Liberty Stadium in a friendly on Friday night.

Ospreys flanker Sam Underhill will miss the first half of the season after suffering a shoulder injury that requires surgery. His loss is a huge blow to the region who have already lost Wales U20s star Owen Watkin for most of the next campaign with a knee problem.

Keelan Giles – one of Welsh rugby’s most exciting young talents – has signed a first professional contract with the Ospreys. The 18-year-old burst to prominence last season with a starring role for Wales U20 as they hammered England on their way to an age-group Grand Slam.

Ospreys star Sam Underhill remains uncertain whether playing in Wales will block his England hopes. Underhill, 19, wants to pursue England honours rather than try and qualify for Wales on residency grounds but his decision to play this side of the border means he has so far been overlooked.

Bradley Davies has signed for the Ospreys for next season on a three-year dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union. The Wales second row – who was also wanted by the Cardiff Blues – will end the current Aviva Premiership play-off campaign with current club Wasps and then return to Wales.

Former Wales forward Gareth Delve has been released by the Ospreys halfway through his two-year contract. The region have cut their losses after the 33-year-old managed just two games in the Guinness Pro 12 this season following persistent injury problems.

England rugby chief Ian Ritchie has hinted they may try to get Sam Underhill out of his Ospreys contract in order to cap him. RFU chief executive Ritchie has vowed England “will come up with a solution” to select flanker Underhill inside Eddie Jones’ six-month stated timescale.

Sam Davies salvaged some pride for the Welsh teams, but the Guinness Pro12 awards were an accurate gauge of the demise of regional rugby this season. Despite the healthy signs of a bumper crowd of 65,000 for the Judgement Day matches, the on-field failings were reflected in the selection of Davies as the only Welsh player to make the composite team of the season.

The Ospreys still believe they can avoid leaving Europe next season – whatever the outcome of the UK referendum. Wales’ most successful region have never fallen out of Europe’s premier tournament, but unless they beat Ulster at home on Saturday in the final round of the regular Guinness Pro12 season, they will not be in the European Champions Cup for 2016-17.

Rhys Webb can be the Ospreys general who continues their battlefield dominance over the Cardiff Blues, according to his coach. Steve Tandy believes Webb’s recent elevation to captain will be a decisive factor in Saturday’s Judgement Day clash at the Principality Stadium.