Jones signs new Ospreys contract
Adam Jones signs new contract with Ospreys
Also In The News
|
By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 19, Oct 2009 12:44
By Alistair Potter.
Wales and British and Irish Lions front-row Adam Jones has signed a new contract to keep him at Ospreys for a further three years.
Jones, 28, is yet to play this season after suffering a dislocated shoulder while on duty the British representative side in South Africa during the summer.
But he has admitted that the contract news is a boost for him as he looks to return to the side when they take on Welsh rivals Scarlets on Boxing Day.
"It's nice to sign a contract while I'm still out injured - it means that I can just focus on the next two months and being back playing just before Christmas without this hanging over me," he said.
"The Ospreys could have said to me that they wanted to see how my shoulder mended before committing to a contract so it's great to see that they've got the faith in me and I want to reward that faith.
"I've been around for a while now, first at Neath, and then with the Ospreys since the start, but there's still a lot that I want to achieve here.
"There's a lot more to come from me and from the Ospreys, which is why it's pleasing to have at least another three years."
Since earning a reputation as a hard-working and honest prop, Jones has won 56 caps with Wales - winning two grand slams since his debut in 2004.
And Ospreys head coach Sean Holley said the new contract is "fantastic news" for the club.
"At a time when there is a real shortage in quality tight-heads at the top level of the game, for Adam to commit himself to the region until 2012 is fantastic news for the Ospreys," Holley explained.
"We are delighted that he sees his future here, and that he believes that we can help him to achieve the goals that he still has for his career.
"Adam is a local boy who takes great pride from playing for his home region.
"And I've no doubt that the prospect of being part of such a tight-knit group of players that we have here at the Ospreys was a major factor in him committing himself to us again despite the understandable interest from elsewhere in such a quality player."