Jones wants Wales’ best to stay put

Editor

Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones has urged Wales' top players they should realise the benefits of staying at home.

Jones' number eight Taulupe Faletau, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a possible move to Toulouse after his transfer to Bath was blocked by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Ospreys and Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones, whose contract also expires at the end of the season, is reportedly being targeted by Toulon.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny is currently at Toulon but must decide whether he will have a one-year extension with the European champions.

Clermont centre Jonathan Davies has already announced that he will return to the Scarlets, at the end of the season while Luke Charteris has also revealed he will be leaving Racing 92 for Bath next season.

This follows Dan Lydiate leaving Racing last year to join the Ospreys, while Jamie Roberts als cut short his stint with the Top 14 outfit to join Harlequins.

Jones stressed that life is not always better in France and hopes other players will follow Davies by opting to further their careers in Wales.

“It’s fantastic to see Jonathan [Davies] coming back,” he told the BBC.

“Lots of people have had a look over the wall to see if the grass is greener. There is a lot more money involved in France, there is a lot bigger people.

“But you get taken care of in Wales, you get looked after. Someone like Jonathan, who is an exceptional player, has a long international career ahead of him and Wales need him to be available for each and every game.

“We need to look after our better players, but those players need to understand that in Wales we will look after them.

“If you are over in France, then you are just a piece of meat.”