Rugby Football Union Championship club Bristol Rugby has announced the signing of hooker Marc Jones from Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the Sale Sharks.
The club announced that the former Wales Under-20 international has put pen to paper on a two year contract at the club and will link up with his new team mates at Ashton Gate following the end of the current season.
The 27 year old Welshman made a staggering 158 appearances for the Aviva Premiership giants during his ten year stint at the club after making his debut in 2005.
Bristol Rugby are the favourites to clinch promotion to the Aviva Premiership following their stunning displays in the RFU Championship this term and are building a team capable of competing against some of the biggest names in the English game if they do make it out of the second divsion this season.
The club has already announced the signing of former England international winger Tom Varndell from Wasps RUFC and also have a keen interest in Gavin Henson of Bath Rugby. But the signing of Jones from the Sale Sharks is quite the transfer coup from Director of Rugby Andy Robinson.
The Bristol boss said that the player was in the prime phase of his career. He added that he is fully aware of what it takes to be successful and competitive in the Premiership.
Robinson added that the player is extremely competitive and has got the mentality and quality to be a leader on the field as well. For a player to have already played in the Aviva Premiership for ten years for a club of the calibre of the Sale Sharks and still only be 27 speaks volumes of his capabilities and skills as a performer and a leader and Bristol will be better with him.