Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that Rhodri Jones is the sixth Welsh international to sign a new deal with the region in 2018.
- Prop becomes the 6th Welsh international, and 11th Osprey in total to sign a new deal in 2018
- Capped 16 times, Jones has made 37 appearances for the Ospreys over the last two seasons
- The Ospreys have also so far added Welsh internationals Aled Davies and Scott Williams to the squad for next season, as well as Namibian Lesley Klim
The latest player to commit to the region, Jones has signed a two-year contract to stay at the Liberty Stadium until 2020 and follows on from Ospreys and Wales captain, Alun Wyn Jones, James King, Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and Sam Cross.
Fellow Wales stars Scott Willams and Aled Davies have also been confirmed as joining the Ospreys from the Scarlets ahead of next season.
Jones, 26-years old from Aberystwyth, made the move to the Ospreys ahead of last season, making his debut in a 45-0 Challenge Cup demolition of Newcastle Falcons. In total he has made 37 appearances to date, firstly as a tight head but more latterly impressing on the opposite side of the scrum.
“I’ve really enjoyed the last two years here” said Jones.
“Playing week in, week out, is all any rugby player wants to do and I’m no different. That’s how it’s been lately, I’ve been more involved, playing on the loose head more, and it’s gone well for me and the team.
“I’ll play anywhere for the team, whether it’s one or three, and I think the coaches see me now as a loose head who can play on the tight if needs be. That gives me clarity and gives me something to work with the coaches on.
“This season now we want to finish the season as well as we can as a team, and I want to play a part in that.”
Capped by Wales at age-grade level, he was called into the senior squad for the first time in December 2011, making his full international debut the following summer against the Barbarians in Cardiff. To date Jones has 16 caps for Wales, his most recent appearance coming in the Six Nations win over Italy earlier this month.
“Rhodri is an outstanding professional and team man, whatever the circumstances” said Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys.
““With his ability to play on both sides of scrum he can be a real asset to our squad and his ball carrying and physicality around the field has really added to team performance in the latter half of this season. With the right support, we believe that we can help him achieve his full potential over the coming seasons.”
In total, 11 Ospreys players have signed new deals since the start of the year with Olly Cracknell, Ma’afu Fia, Sam Parry and youngsters Will Jones and Reuben Morgan-Williams also committing. Highly rated Namibian international centre/wing Lesley Klim has also signed a two-year deal and will report for pre-season training in Llandarcy this summer.
