Jones has spring in his step

Editor

New Scarlets coach and fan favourite Stephen Jones says he is excited by the challenges that are to come as he returns to the region this season.

Jones rejoined Parc y Scarlets after three years in the Premiership with Wasps.

The successful fly-half, who made 316 appearances for Llanelli and the Scarlets over fifteen seasons, joins the new-look coaching team of Byron Hayward and Ioan Cunningham under the leadership of head coach Wayne Pivac.

"This is my third week with the club, it's been great. I really enjoyed myself in London but it's nice to come back to the Scarlets. I was born and grew up here, it's a wonderful place to be," Jones said earlier this week.

Speaking about his ambitions, Jones went on to say: "I'm a young coach, I'm only in my third year and I have a lot to learn it's as simple as that. There's a big difference between playing and coaching. The reality is coaching is completely different; you have to absorb as many ideas as you can, try and improve, get better and learn off other people whether it be players or coaches.

"I'm learning from the people around me. You always listen to players, they're at the coalface and they have to be comfortable delivering your game plan. My ambition is being the best I can be."

Scarlets are currently without ten internationals who are on World Cup duty which opens doors to the region's next generation of talent, a prospect that excites Jones.

"There's a fresh group here and a lot of guys I wouldn't have met or worked with before," he added.

"It's interesting in a World Cup year to see the age range of the squad. We're bolstered by the academy and we're working with a very young crop at the moment.

"The energy and excitement the young players bring – it's infectious."