Ospreys stalwart Joe Bearman is one of seven players who are leaving the region at the end of this season.
Bearman – who is joining ambitious Merthyr – will be joined through the exit door by Tyler Ardron, Josh Matavesi, Sam Underhill, Tom Grabham, Jonathan Spratt and Dan Suter.
Underhill had already declared he was moving to Bath next season to improve his England ambitions, whilst Matavesi had also chosen to switch to the Aviva Premiership by joining Newcastle Falcons.
Canadian back row forward Ardron is understood to have a Super Rugby deal lined up in New Zealand, whilst Spratt announced last week he was retiring to pursue a career elsewhere.
Bearman, 37, has made over a century of appearances since he joined from Newport Gwent Dragons in 2011 and his departure – coupled with that of Ardron – will leave the Ospreys looking for new blood in their back row supplies next season.
Matavesi will also take some replacing as the Fijian centre has been a key player for the region over the past four years and was another moving towards 100 games.
Both wing Grabham and prop Suter have struggled to make regular appearances in the Guinness Pro 12.
Ospreys managing director Andrew Millward said: “On behalf of everybody at the Ospreys, I’d like to thank each one of these individuals for their service and hard work while at the region.
“The nature of professional sport means that there is always a turnover at this time of the year with people leaving. Each one of them has contributed positively to our environment during their time as an Osprey and, no doubt, will continue to do so over the coming weeks in preparation for our semi-final against Munster.
“Having paid tribute to Jonathan Spratt on his retirement last week, it’s only right that we recognise the outstanding service of Joe Bearman, another centurion who is moving on and will be making his first steps into life post-elite level rugby.
“A great character who has never given anything less than 100 per cent, he has been a role model to any youngster in how to look after yourself. We wish Joe, and the others who are leaving, all the best for their futures, in and out of rugby.”
Off the field, the Ospreys are also saying farewell to forwards coach, Chris Gibbes (Wellington Lions), head strength and conditioning coach Johnny Claxton (Grenoble), and senior analyst, Craig Maloney (FAW).
The seven senior departing players were thanked for their service to the region with a presentation during the annual dinner at the Liberty Stadium on Monday evening, where Lions and Wales flanker Justin Tipuric swept the board in terms of awards.
Tipuric was named coaches’, fans’ and players’ player of the year, as well as being the first ever recipient of the social media player of the year award.
The departing players are:
Tyler Ardron (64 appearances/7 tries)
Joe Bearman (101 appearances/4 tries) to Merthyr
Tom Grabham (50 appearances/8 tries)
Josh Matavesi (78 appearances/11 tries) to Newcastle Falcons
Jonathan Spratt (102 appearances/10 tries) Retiring
Dan Suter (32 appearances)
Sam Underhill (36 appearances/4 tries) to Bath
