I wonder how the Ospreys are going to approach the run-up to Hook leaving. If they are going to go out and buy a replacement (hopefully not) then they can keep playing Hook and getting the most out of him. But if they're going to replace him with a young player from within (hopefully), then will they start fazing Hook out of the team during the months leading up to the end of the season. Of course Hook will continue to play the big games, but maybe Owen, Beck or Spratt will start getting much more gametime than they are currently so by the start of next season they're already fully up to speed.
Luckily Gareth Owen, Ashley Beck and Jonathan Spratt are all still young, 22, 20 and 24 respectively (ok Spratt isn't all that young). So there's still plenty of time for them to come through and become quality players. I think we've been kinda spoilt recently in Wales with the age that many of the youngsters have stepped up to the mark regionally. With the likes of Roberts, Hook, Halfpenny etc. all coming through when they were 20 or 21 and with Prydie, Biggar, Lloyd Williams and North now coming through at the age of 18 or younger, we suddenly see a player like Spratt at 24 and think he should have made the breakthrough already. I feel there's still time. Whilst of course it's great if players can step up at 18, as it then gives them 12-14 years of gametime at the top, but 5-6 years is still a decent playing career. As long as the conveyor belt keeps churning them out, then that's plenty long enough.
