Walker signs new Ospreys contract

Scotland wing Nikki Walker has signed a new two-year deal to remain with Ospreys until at least 2012.The 28-year-old joined the Welsh regional side from the now defunct Border Reivers in 2006. "It was a very easy decision for me to make, particularly with things going so well this season," Walker said. "We are top of the Magners League and through to the last eight in Europe so... I didn't have to think too hard about signing a new contract." The 6ft 4in, 16st 10lb Walker, who has won 15 caps for Scotland, missed the second half of last season after suffering a torn hamstring in a Heineken Cup win over Treviso in December 2008. "The region really looked after me when I was out injured for six months last season," Walker added. "The medical team was fantastic for me, they gave me all the support I needed and managed to get me back onto the pitch quicker than expected, which was great. "That was something that I had to take into consideration and it's good to be able to pay everybody back for that by committing myself to the Ospreys for another two years." Have your say on Ospreys Walker contests the Ospreys wing berths with British and Irish Lions stars Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe, but Ospreys head coach Sean Holley says the big Scot more than holds his own. "When we originally signed Nikki from Borders four years ago he we probably unknown in these parts, but in his time at the Ospreys he has been allowed to express himself on and off the field and has flourished in our environment," Holley said. "He brings something very different to the team from our other wingers; you don't get many 6ft 4in, 16st wingers who can run as fast as he can! "He's a proven try scorer, capable of hurting teams from anywhere on the field and, as such, is a huge asset to the Ospreys." Walker follows Wales and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips and hooker Richard Hibbard in signing new long-term deals to stay at the Liberty Stadium.