Jones out of summer Wales tour

STEPHEN Jones has become the second coach to pull out of Wales’ summer tour of the South Seas, following on from Danny Wilson.

The former Lions outside-half has withdrawn from the management team due to the Scarlets reaching the Guinness PRO12 play-offs.

This comes after Wilson pulled out last week because of his increasing commitments as head coach at Cardiff Blues.

Jones was due to operate as backs coach on tour, which takes in Tests against Tonga and Samoa.

But, with the Scarlets taking on Leinster in the PRO12 semi-finals in Dublin next Friday, he believes the workload would adversely affect his preparations for Wales.

That now leaves a management team for the tour of caretaker head coach Robin McBryde, defence guru Shaun Edwards, Cardiff Blues attack coach Matt Sherratt and Wales Sevens head coach Gareth Williams.

McBryde said: “I was looking forward to welcoming Stephen onto the summer tour, as were the rest of the management team, so I’m disappointed that we are missing out on the opportunity to work together.

“However, I have to respect his decision and wish him and the region the best of luck over the coming weeks.”

Scarlets backs coach Jones said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Robin for his support and understanding on this matter.

“It was a huge honour to be named as part of Robin’s coaching set-up for the summer tour and I am grateful to Robin for giving me that opportunity.

“Having said that we are delighted, as a region, to be in a position to be playing for silverware and the Scarlets has to take precedence.”