Wales and Ospreys forwards Scott Baldwin and James King sign NDCs
Thursday 5 November 2015 12:31, UK
Wales and Ospreys forwards Scott Baldwin and James King have signed National Dual Contracts with the Welsh Rugby Union.
Baldwin, 27, made his international debut in 2013 and has won 15 caps, starting at hooker in every match of Wales' recent World Cup campaign.
King, 25, also featured in the World Cup, winning the latest of his seven caps at No 8 against Uruguay in the pool stages of the competition after making his Wales debut on their summer tour of Japan in 2012.
Baldwin has signed a four-year deal taking him through to 2019 and King has signed for three years, with the Ospreys pair taking the total number of players on NDCs up to 14.
The latest signings join Wales captain Sam Warburton and Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb, Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar (all Ospreys), Scott Williams, Jake Ball, Samson Lee, Rhodri Jones (all Scarlets), Tyler Morgan and Hallam Amos (both Newport Gwent Dragons) as NDC players.
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"We are developing an impressive list of talented individuals which can only be of benefit to the future of the game in Wales both at national and regional level," said WRU group chief executive Martyn Phillips.
"We are committed to creating the right playing environment to attract and retain both players and crowds alike to Welsh rugby and to ensuring our regions continue to be competitive in all competitions and these contracts are all part of that aim.
"These individuals are important role models for the game and have a vital role to play in shaping our future rugby generations and we are hoping more players will follow suit in the coming weeks."
Ospreys general manager Andrew Millward said: "It's excellent news, not only for the Ospreys but for Welsh rugby, that two key players who have been heavily involved with the region and the national squad have signed up to a future in Wales.
"Both James and Scott have the qualities and characteristics that we want from our players at the region and we are delighted that their talents are now being recognised on a wider stage."
