New Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke has given the 57-times capped Jones, who led the Ospreys to the 2007 Celtic League title, the new role after being impressed by his work as a skills coach working with the Welsh region’s academy.T
The 39-year-old Jones retired from playing in 2015 having clocked up 223 appearances for his home region after topping the century for Neath before that. With four Celtic League/PRO12 titles to his name, only two players, Paul James and Alun Wyn Jones, have played more times for the Ospreys.
Propping on the loose head side of the scrum opposite Adam Jones, he was one of the ‘Hair Bears’ who helped to turn the Ospreys into one of the best sides in Europe. He also played in the 2008 Welsh Grand Slam side and featured at two World Cups.
“The scrum was an area where we had decent returns last year, but we want to ensure we are even better this season. Last season was my first year working with Duncan and he really impressed me,” said Clarke.
“He has huge potential and I see in him the traits needed to be a top class coach – he has real integrity and a thirst for knowledge, along with the ability to deliver a message clearly.
“Everybody knows what he was like as a player, but he isn’t someone who relies on his reputation. He is working hard to be the best coach he can be and is a real asset to the Ospreys in an expanded coaching team that now also includes Shaun Edwards.
“He will work alongside me and will focus on the scrum, from the Under 16s right through to the senior team. He will work with players and coaches at all levels of the pathway to ensure a consistency of message and delivery that can only make us stronger in a key element of the game.”
The Ospreys legend already works with the forwards from all the region’s age-grade teams and will now take a hands-on role at the scrum at senior level. He will also work with the team that will represent the region in the new Celtic Cup competition.
“It’s great to be given the opportunity to be in and around the environment full-time and I’m really excited. We are proud of our development from within and this allows me to continue the work I’m doing with the age-grade and academy players,” said Jones.
