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Club Insight - Joe Jones - Assistant Forwards Coach
Justin English14 Nov 2024 - 08:22
@rfu @yrfu
Director of Rugby, Alex Edler:
Jonesy came out of the blue this season, but his credentials as a set-piece specialist were obvious from an extensive career in the Premiership and Championship.
After ten minutes of his first session, we knew he was the real deal and the insight he has added throughout the season so far has been immense. He has got the lads focussing on set-piece and this is showing in our performances on a Saturday where we are gaining identity as a side whose scrum is to be taken seriously.
His attitude and approach to every session is instilling confidence into our pack, and the lads are eager to get involved in the new warm-up each week. He has fitted right in and will continue to be an integral part of the coaching setup this season.
Can you share some details about yourself and your playing history?
Born in North Wales, I have been around the block in terms of my time at different rugby clubs. As a true Welshman, I started my rugby from a young age for home side Mold RFC, until the age of 16. I then had an exciting year, moving school to Myerscough College and breaking into the Sale Sharks academy.
In June 2013, after his education came to an end, Jones signed his first professional rugby contract with Cardiff Blues, going back on loan with, then, Welsh Championship team, RGC 1404. I also spent loan spells with the feeder side, Cardiff RFC, and fellow South Wales club, Pontypridd, while also earning international caps with Wales U18s and U20s squads.
In 2016, aged 21, I waved goodbye to Wales, and travelled abroad to Pro D2 side, USA Perpignan, having 2 successful seasons with the South France side, and helped in the team’s league-winning season in 2018 for their promotion to the Top14 league.
Following that successful campaign, Jones rejoined his academy team, Sale Sharks, and had a successful two years with the Greater Manchester team, winning the Premiership Cup in his second season, their first trophy in 14 years. With the COVID-19 pandemic occurring at the start of 2020, the season was obviously cut short, and in the June, I made a move to Doncaster Knights for a season to keep his competitive edge.
After a short stint at Castle Park, I had an even shorter stint at Coventry at the start of the 2021/22 season only staying for 5 months, before heading back to the north-west and rejoining Sale for another two-year stint. All the while, working towards his Level 2 coaching badge, coaching at his boyhood club, Mold RFC. In 2023, Joe said a permanent farewell to the Sharks and racked up over 50 caps for them.
Carrying on his coaching, I played 4 times for Championship side, Caldy, before heading back to South Wales, pausing his coaching career, and joining URC club, Scarlets. Having the one season with the Llanelli club, he came back up north to Doncaster for the 2024/25 season.
How long have you been coaching, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I have been coaching since 2022. I’m really enjoying the process of improving and adding value to particularly the set piece part of the game.
What are your first impressions of Sandal RUFC, both on and off the field?
It’s a great club with a very professional set up and a highly talented group.
Is there anything about the environment at Sandal that has particularly stood out to you?
The facilities are of a professional standard.
In what areas do you believe you can provide the most support and make the biggest impact for the team?
The scrum is where I add the most value. In terms of support, I give the lads confidence to play well on the weekend.
Which player from the Sandal setup has made the strongest impression on you, and what specifically stands out to you about them?
Callum Burden is a talent. He will continue to improve, and he can play across the whole front row which is a niche skill.
Do you see club rugby as a viable pathway to professional levels? Are academies and club rugby complementary to each other?
The most important thing is to play! Academies are great for discipline and high-quality coaching. But the players need to play to improve, ace-armies and clubs need to continue to work together to provide players coming through the best opportunities
Given the world rugby guidelines suggesting only 15 minutes of contact training per week, how do you think this affects what clubs are able to focus on during practice?
I don’t think this really affects us massively as we can get what we need in a short space of time contact wise.
When it comes to scrum dominance, what do you feel ae the main factors?
Win the head space, win the bind, win the shot.
If you could alter one rule in rugby today, which one would you choose and why?
Go back to the scrum if it’s held up over the line.
What is one aspect of the professional game that you believe amateur rugby could greatly benefit from?
Analysis.
Is rugby fundamentally a straightforward game, where mastering the basics can give you an edge over opponents?
Rugby is an invasion game work the way up the pitch in the most effective way as possible. The kicking game is massive
What is a pet peeve of yours in rugby?
No pet peeves. Rugby is a great sport for everyone!
Jonesy came out of the blue this season, but his credentials as a set-piece specialist were obvious from an extensive career in the Premiership and Championship.
After ten minutes of his first session, we knew he was the real deal and the insight he has added throughout the season so far has been immense. He has got the lads focussing on set-piece and this is showing in our performances on a Saturday where we are gaining identity as a side whose scrum is to be taken seriously.
His attitude and approach to every session is instilling confidence into our pack, and the lads are eager to get involved in the new warm-up each week. He has fitted right in and will continue to be an integral part of the coaching setup this season.
Can you share some details about yourself and your playing history?
Born in North Wales, I have been around the block in terms of my time at different rugby clubs. As a true Welshman, I started my rugby from a young age for home side Mold RFC, until the age of 16. I then had an exciting year, moving school to Myerscough College and breaking into the Sale Sharks academy.
In June 2013, after his education came to an end, Jones signed his first professional rugby contract with Cardiff Blues, going back on loan with, then, Welsh Championship team, RGC 1404. I also spent loan spells with the feeder side, Cardiff RFC, and fellow South Wales club, Pontypridd, while also earning international caps with Wales U18s and U20s squads.
In 2016, aged 21, I waved goodbye to Wales, and travelled abroad to Pro D2 side, USA Perpignan, having 2 successful seasons with the South France side, and helped in the team’s league-winning season in 2018 for their promotion to the Top14 league.
Following that successful campaign, Jones rejoined his academy team, Sale Sharks, and had a successful two years with the Greater Manchester team, winning the Premiership Cup in his second season, their first trophy in 14 years. With the COVID-19 pandemic occurring at the start of 2020, the season was obviously cut short, and in the June, I made a move to Doncaster Knights for a season to keep his competitive edge.
After a short stint at Castle Park, I had an even shorter stint at Coventry at the start of the 2021/22 season only staying for 5 months, before heading back to the north-west and rejoining Sale for another two-year stint. All the while, working towards his Level 2 coaching badge, coaching at his boyhood club, Mold RFC. In 2023, Joe said a permanent farewell to the Sharks and racked up over 50 caps for them.
Carrying on his coaching, I played 4 times for Championship side, Caldy, before heading back to South Wales, pausing his coaching career, and joining URC club, Scarlets. Having the one season with the Llanelli club, he came back up north to Doncaster for the 2024/25 season.
How long have you been coaching, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I have been coaching since 2022. I’m really enjoying the process of improving and adding value to particularly the set piece part of the game.
What are your first impressions of Sandal RUFC, both on and off the field?
It’s a great club with a very professional set up and a highly talented group.
Is there anything about the environment at Sandal that has particularly stood out to you?
The facilities are of a professional standard.
In what areas do you believe you can provide the most support and make the biggest impact for the team?
The scrum is where I add the most value. In terms of support, I give the lads confidence to play well on the weekend.
Which player from the Sandal setup has made the strongest impression on you, and what specifically stands out to you about them?
Callum Burden is a talent. He will continue to improve, and he can play across the whole front row which is a niche skill.
Do you see club rugby as a viable pathway to professional levels? Are academies and club rugby complementary to each other?
The most important thing is to play! Academies are great for discipline and high-quality coaching. But the players need to play to improve, ace-armies and clubs need to continue to work together to provide players coming through the best opportunities
Given the world rugby guidelines suggesting only 15 minutes of contact training per week, how do you think this affects what clubs are able to focus on during practice?
I don’t think this really affects us massively as we can get what we need in a short space of time contact wise.
When it comes to scrum dominance, what do you feel ae the main factors?
Win the head space, win the bind, win the shot.
If you could alter one rule in rugby today, which one would you choose and why?
Go back to the scrum if it’s held up over the line.
What is one aspect of the professional game that you believe amateur rugby could greatly benefit from?
Analysis.
Is rugby fundamentally a straightforward game, where mastering the basics can give you an edge over opponents?
Rugby is an invasion game work the way up the pitch in the most effective way as possible. The kicking game is massive
What is a pet peeve of yours in rugby?
No pet peeves. Rugby is a great sport for everyone!
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