Exeter sign former Scotland A full back from Edinburgh
Jan
Exeter Chiefs have signed Scotland A full-back and rugby league convert Steve Jones from Edinburgh Rugby.
Jones joined Edinburgh from Newcastle Falcons in May 2009 and was hoping to challenge Chris Paterson and Jim Thompson for the team's full-back berth this season.
The 27-year-old played for Scotland U21s in 2004 and Scotland A in 2008 after having won England age-grade honours. He has also had a season with Border Reivers after joining them from Rugby League National One club Batley Bulldogs following a spell with Super League club Huddersfield Giants.
Jones was born in the same town as Chiefs’ backs coach Ali Hepher in Ashington, Northumberland. He qualifies for Scotland honours through his father.
In 2008, Jones played at full-back for Scotland A in all three matches in the Barclays Churchill Cup in North America, scoring three tries in the opening game against Canada in Ottawa. In February 2009, he played against Ireland and Italy.
Exeter Chiefs’ head coach Rob Baxter said: “Steve is a player that I spent a lot of time tracking at the end of last season. We had a meeting at Sandy Park but ultimately Steve decided to move from Newcastle to Edinburgh in the hope of furthering his ambitions to play for Scotland, as at the time Steve had just returned from a successful tour with Scotland A.
“It was understandable that he should make the decision to try and push on to the next level with Scotland. Unfortunately for Steve he has found himself behind Chris Paterson and so has had limited opportunities to play.
“I felt last year that Steve would be a good fit with the Chiefs and so when I became aware that he may be looking for a move from Edinburgh, I followed it up straight away.
“Steve has been prepared to walk away from a two-year contract at Edinburgh to prove he should be playing regular, high level rugby and, from a coaching point of view, it is great to see a player who is prepared to back himself to such an extent.”
