Former Wales international Ceri Jones has joined Newport Gwent Dragons as forward coach.
The ex-prop has agreed a two-year deal with the region and will make the move from Worcester Warriors where he was senior scrum coach and Academy Forwards Development Coach.
Jones was combining that job with a coaching role at the recently crowned Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale RFC.
The 38-year-old said: “I am delighted to be joining the management team at the Dragons.
“I have spent the last five years working with Worcester so I am relishing the new challenge that lies ahead.
“I have very close ties with Newport RFC and my family are from Usk, so I am looking forward to returning to my home Region.
“I would like to take the time to thank Dean Ryan at Worcester for all of the time and effort he has put into my development as a coach, whilst not forgetting the opportunity I was given by Ebbw Vale RFC, so a huge thank you to both Jason Strange and Jon Jones for that.
“The Region currently have a young and exciting group of talented players and I look forward to working with them.”
Dragons Head Coach, Kingsley Jones said:“I’m really pleased to be welcoming Ceri to the Dragons coaching staff.
“He is vastly experienced as a player; being well coached at both Newport and Harlequins whilst often undertaking a leadership role with the forwards.”
“Ceri is a highly respected young coach in both England and Wales and since finishing his playing career he has played a big role with heading up the Under18s set-up at Worcester whilst also playing his part in the Ebbw Vale RFC success story.
“Finally I’d like to thank Dean Ryan and Worcester for agreeing to an early release from Ceri’s contract enabling him to start with us with immediate effect.”
Jones played for local clubs Newport High School Old Boys and Usk as well as making appearances for Premiership side Newport RFC, before moving to Harlequins in 2003.
During his time with the English club, Jones made over 200 top-flight appearances whilst also winning his first Wales cap against Australia in Sydney on 26 May 2007.
The experienced prop then made the move to Worcester Warriors in 2011 as a player and after making 27 appearances was appointed as a coach.