Will Jones signs first pro deal

Ospreys Rugby have announced that teenage flanker, Will Jones, has put pen to paper on his first professional contract. 

The 19-year old openside has enjoyed a breakthrough season with the region, making his debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November and going on to feature regularly in the Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup.

He is the second youngster to secure a professional deal in recent weeks after stepping into the senior environment this season, following on from scrum half, Reuben Morgan-Williams.

Speaking after committing his future to the Ospreys, the youngster who came through the pathway at Penclawdd RFC and Gowerton Comprehensive, said:

“I'm very happy, obviously. I've been here since the U16s and this is the next step. I'm really proud to have been involved with the senior team this season but now I've got an opportunity to really establish myself with my home region.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience for me over the last few months, playing for the Ospreys against the likes of Munster, Saracens and Clermont but I’ve really enjoyed it. When you have a taste of it, you want more so I need to make sure I build on this and keep taking my opportunities when the come my way.”

Identified as someone with leadership qualities at a young age, Jones captained the region at age-grade level, including leading the U18 team to the title in 2015 while still only 16 years old, and he joins team-mates from that squad Keelan Giles, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Owen Watkin in signing a professional contract.

The Swansea University student also captained Wales at U18 level, before stepping up to U20s last season, captaining his country at the U20 Six Nations and Junior World Cup. A regular in the Premiership Select side competing in the British & Irish Cup over the last two seasons with nine appearances, he stepped up to captain the team in the opening three rounds of fixtures this campaign before graduating into the senior set-up.