FORMER Wales prop Ceri Jones has returned to Rodney Parade after being appointed as Newport Gwent Dragons forwards coach on a two-year deal.

The 38-year-old from Usk heads to the Dragons from Aviva Premiership side Worcester, where he was scrum coach and worked with the academy, and Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale, where he was in charge of the pack.

He will join a management team that is led by head coach Kingsley Jones and also features backs coach Shaun Connor and elite performance manager Huw Bevan.

Jones played for Newport 97 times between 1998 and 2003 – winning the Welsh Cup at the Millennium Stadium in 2001 – but it was at Harlequins where he really made his name.

Primarily a loosehead, he played 231 times for the men from the Stoop and winning the European Challenge Cup twice. His exploits at the Stoop earned him two caps on Wales' tour to Australia in 2007.

Jones signed for Worcester and combined playing with coaching until his retirement in 2013. He is relishing taking the next step on the coaching ladder.

He said: "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 (director of rugby) 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, so a huge thank you to both (former head coach) Jason Strange and (chairman) Jonathan Jones for that.

"The region currently have a young and exciting group of talented players and I look forward to working with them."

South Wales Argus:

Ceri Jones' appointment will free up Kingsley Jones to take a more overarching role after previously concentrating on the forwards under previous director of rugby Lyn Jones and the head coach believes the latest recruit to the management team is a perfect fit.

"He is vastly experienced as a player; being well coached at both Newport and Harlequins whilst often undertaking a leadership role with the forwards," said the former Wales flanker.

"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 Under-18s set-up at Worcester whilst also playing his part in the Ebbw Vale success story."

Jones has been granted an early release from his duties by Worcester to allow him to play a full part in the Dragons' pre-season preparations.