New fly half signing Matthew Jones has vowed to resurrect his top-flight career make a ‘massive impact’ at Worcester Warriors.
Wales international Jones has joined Warriors on a two-year deal and is eager to take his chance back in the big time.
The 24-year-old was playing for the Ospreys and on tour with Wales just three years ago before suffering a knee ligament injury.
Jones has now battled his way back to full fitness and, after a spell with Moseley and London Welsh last season, has now been handed a dream move into the Guinness Premiership by Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock that he plans to take with both hands.
“This is all about my comeback and showing I am back to the player I was before – I’m not going to let this chance pass me by,” said Jones.
“I could have stayed at Ospreys and played a few times off the bench in Wales but that is not me. I want to show what I can do, that is why I played National One last season. To show that I can play regular rugby again and that I am back.
“I added consistency to my game at London Welsh; showed I am back on track. I have confidence in my own ability. I plan to show Matthew Jones is back and make a massive impact for Warriors.
“I will always have a lot of time for Mike Ruddock and can’t wait to play for him again,” he added.
“I have also worked with Clive Griffiths and know what they are all about. Mike is a great guy to play for, a superb man manager who gets players to perform for him and a wonderful coach.
“I know his style of rugby and how he wants to play – I can be a big part of that.”
Jones will fill the shirt left by the departing Shane Drahm and knows he will need to raise his game to settle back into life amongst the elite.
But the determined back knows the chance to impress is in his own hands.
“I know that coming up to the Guinness Premiership will be a hard task, I am under no illusions, but I can play at this level,” he said.
“I spoke to Mike (Ruddock) at length and I’m hopeful that there is chance for me to have an opportunity to establish myself and show the form that made part of the Wales set-up.
“I want to push for honours with Worcester, I’m really positive about the future and being back at 100 percent.
“I will have quality player around me at Sixways Stadium and that will take my game forward. It’s down to me to show what I can do, show I can orchestrate the team.”
Jones is full of praise for the vision at Warriors and the way the club is moving forward, both on and off the field, at real pace.
The fly half has also had a chance to meet his new team-mates after a number of sessions with the first team before the end of last season.
And Jones is convinced his style of play and approach to the game will fit in perfectly at Warriors.
“Mike Ruddock has always had a distinct style to his teams and how he wants them to play rugby,” said Jones.
“When I was in the Wales U21s we looked closely at the Grand Slam winning national side and picked up things. When I went on tour to North America with him I saw how he wanted to play.
“Warriors are not the Barbarians, but when the chance is on to play that is what we will do. I will play in the right areas when it is on but at other times will show my kicking game. I feel I can make space for myself and others.
“I guess I just want the summer to go now – I want to get started,” added Jones.
“When I came to the end of last season with London Welsh I didn’t want it to end, I was back on track and happy with my game.
“Now I have signed for Warriors I want to get up there and settle in. I plan to move near the training ground, as close as possible, and really throw myself into this new chapter of my career and make it a real success.”
