Wales prop Rhodri Jones to quit Scarlets for Ospreys this summer
Tuesday 16 February 2016 11:37, UK
Wales prop Rhodri Jones will join the Ospreys at the end of the season.
Jones, who has been capped 13 times, made his 100th Scarlets appearance in last Friday's Guinness PRO12 victory over Edinburgh, but has now decided to make the short journey to the Liberty Stadium.
The 24-year-old signed a dual deal with the Welsh Rugby Union and his region in December 2014 but that will come to an end after this current campaign.
"The Ospreys are a team that is competitive on all fronts, one that is up there with the best," Jones told the region's official website after signing a contract which will run until 2018.
"So it's a real challenge for me to establish myself in the squad. I've thrown myself into the challenge of switching sides in the scrum, and it's been hard at times.
"But the Ospreys have a great record for developing forwards and going there will really help me to kick on as a tight-head."
Jones broke through at the Scarlets in 2010 and made his Wales debut against the Barbarians in June 2012.
But his opportunities at the Scarlets and with Wales have become increasingly limited by the emergence of Samson Lee, who has established himself as national coach Warren Gatland's first-choice tight-head.
Exeter's Tomas Francis, who was selected for the World Cup squad and has made two appearances off the bench during the 2016 Six Nations championship, is also ahead of Jones in the Wales pecking order.
"We are disappointed to see Rhodri leave the Scarlets, however we respect his decision," general manager Jon Daniels told the region's official website.
"We wish him well as he looks to continue his career with the Ospreys."
