Davies issues ‘Stay at Stradey’ plea to Jones

Jan 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

SCARLETS’ director of rugby Phil Davies has pleaded for Stephen Jones to stay at Stradey Park.

The Wales fly-half missed the hammering by Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup with a back injury as speculation increases over his future.

Jones’ contract with the Scarlets runs until 2009 but he has activated a clause which allows him to listen to offers from other clubs.

It is believed Biarritz and Leicester Tigers are in the running to snap up the 30-year-old and Davies says the ball is in Jones’ court.

Davies said: “We’ve made Stephen an offer and we want him to stay. It’s up to him now and he’s thinking things through.

“But that’s professional sport. It doesn’t mean there is anything wrong here or we lack ambition. People like Stephen and Dwayne Peel have given us fantastic service and we have to respect that.

“Stephen is very sore at the moment. He’s at home laid up. I’ve had a bad back myself and I know how he feels. It’s not nice but in the next 24 to 48 hours, he’ll be a lot better.

“Of course, everybody is disappointed with the way the campaign has gone and we’re shattered.

“What a difference a year makes. We have shown effort and endeavour but over the course of the six games we’ve not been good enough.

“But we’re trying to move things on and next season will be an improvement with the new stadium. That will be a huge help.

“It’s good that the players will have a break and hopefully we’ll come back fresh.”