Region in the north would be a success – Jones

A PROFESSIONAL rugby entity in north Wales is a more than viable option as Welsh rugby grapples with continuing off the field uncertainty, says RGC 1404 head coach Mark Jones.

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips is keen to create a new region in the north for the 2020-21 season and beyond which would leave one of the four current sides at threat.

The proposal as part of ongoing talks over ‘Project Reset’ has been met by uproar with a proposed merger between the Ospreys and Scarlets called off last week amid political chaos off the field.

Jones, who leads the Colwyn Bay-based RGC, believes taking professional rugby to north Wales would work.

“Everything at the moment tells me that if you were to run a north Wales region the same as the others, it would work,” former Wales and Scarlets wing Jones said.

“The facilities, the crowds and the revenue streams would unquestionably be fantastic. I think with a well supported academy it would bring quality players through.

“There are a lot of talented players in north Wales. One thing the senior Wales side is benefiting from now is the four regions all supplying players to the national team.

“I’m sure north Wales could do just as good a job and we would increase the talent pool available to the national side, but we’re all in the dark at the moment.”

The amalgamation of the Ospreys and Scarlets looked all but certain, only for the Ospreys to back out of a deal at the final hurdle to send talks between the WRU and the four regions hurtling back to stalemate.

Jones has helped drive rugby in north Wales with RGC and he has seen firsthand how the game’s popularity has grown there.

He said: “There is a big appetite for rugby in north Wales. There has been a big growth in the women and junior games.

“With RGC we average between 1,500 and 1,800 per match at semi-professional level. Whenever Wales U20 play here or Wales come up to train you get big crowds.”