Ospreys Rugby will honour the memory of former player Jerry Collins at the first home game of the new season, against Munster at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday 13th September (KO 2.30pm).

‘JC’ died in tragic circumstances, along with his wife Alana, following a road traffic accident in France at the start of June. The couple’s young daughter, Ayla, survived, albeit it with ongoing medical issues, and is now being cared for in Canada by Alana’s family.

Sunday’s game will mark the first occasion that the Ospreys have played at the Liberty Stadium since the accident, and plans are in place to celebrate Jerry’s life and career.

Andrew Hore, Chief Executive of Ospreys Rugby, said:

“It has been three months since the sad events in the south of France but JC, Alana and Ayla remain firmly in the thoughts of everybody at the Ospreys, and the rugby community internationally.

“Next Sunday marks the first opportunity that we have had as a rugby club to honour their memory and to celebrate their life with our supporters. Over the summer it has become clear exactly how highly regarded JC was by so many people, and we wanted to reflect that in our tributes, which will be done in the Ospreys way; understated, sincere and honest.

“We hope to see supporters joining us to pay their own tributes at the Liberty on Sunday 13th September.”

Team captain's will lay floral tributes pitch side ahead of a minute’s silence pre-match, while the the number six jersey, synonymous with Jerry, will be retired for the match. In addition, there will be a collection on the day to raise funds for the Jerry Collins Memorial Fund, the proceeds of which will go into trust for Ayla’s future.

Former team-mates of Jerry at the Ospreys are also invited to join us at the Liberty Stadium to pay their own tributes to their colleague.