Decision time for Stephen Jones

Jan 20 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

STEPHEN JONES is expected to make the decision on his future at the Scarlets in the next 10 days.The Wales and Lions star is mulling over a range of options, including lucrative offers from two English and three French clubs.

The former Wales captain has been linked with a move to French giants Biarritz but he has NOT made a final decision on whether he is ready to leave Stradey Park.

Jones, who has a year left on his current Scarlets deal, has triggered a clause in his contract to allow him to speak to other clubs.

Wales on Sunday understands all five clubs involved are ready to break the bank to sign Jones and have genuine ambitions to win the Heineken Cup. French giants Stade Francais and Perpignan are believed to be in the running.

Saracens are another club in the market for a fly-half, with Eddie Jones, the former Wallabies and South African assistant coach at the 2007 World Cup, in line to take charge at Vicarage Road in the summer.

The Scarlets have made it clear they want to keep Jones and have put a lucrative new three-year-deal on the table for the player.