Ospreys start their year in Bridgend on Saturday with chief executive Lance Bradley hoping to leave a “lasting legacy”.
Mark Jones’ side will take on Exeter Chiefs at the Brewery Field (14:30 BST) in a pre-season game as they build towards the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The first block of the URC will take place amid uncertainty over professional rugby in Wales, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)planning to cut four teams to two.
Ospreys start the league campaign in South Africa against Bulls and Stormers before a first home fixture against Zebre Parma on Saturday, 11 October.
The Italians will be the first team to head to Bridgend for a competitive match this season whileSt Helen’s in Swansea is redeveloped.
Ospreys played two fixtures at the home of Bridgend RFC last season but this time will play at least 11 games in the URC and European Challenge Cup.
The fixture schedule allows Ospreys to help make improvements to the venue, which will still host Ravens fixtures in Super Rygbi Cymru.
“We are looking forward to playing in Bridgend, it’s a great stadium but there are some things that we can improve by being there for a whole season,” said Bradley.
“We are working with Bridgend Ravens to do that and will put a bit more resource into the pitch, will do some things with the changing rooms and generally help with a bit of ‘TLC’.
“The Ravens already had a lot of plans in place and everything that we do will be working alongside them, and there are things that we can help them with.
“It’s just different when you have 8,000 people coming and a different level of attention, so we will try to use that to help the Ravens, the town of Bridgend and residents.
“If we can leave some kind of lasting legacy from the season that the Ospreys were here then it will be a job well done.”
Ospreys, who chose to redevelop St Helen’s rather than relocate to Bridgend, intend to improve stadium facilities and they are working closely with residents close to the Brewery Field to minimise disruption.
“It’s an important part of our region and a lot of our players and staff come from here, so this presents real opportunities,” said Bradley.
“We have always visited schools in Bridgend but I know it’s much more difficult for children to watch us in Swansea.
“This gives the chance for them to see us when we play up the road or to come and watch an open training session. It’s nice to do something for the town.”
Jones’ side, who finished 12th in the URC last season and suffered Challenge Cup quarter-final anguish when edged out by Lyon in Swansea, take on Bulls, Stormers, Zebre, Glasgow and Dragons before the break for the autumn internationals.
Wales lock Adam Beard has left for Montpellier while legendary flanker Justin Tipuric is now on the coaching team, but destructive back-rower Ross Moriarty and Australian lock Ryan Smith have signed up.
