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Adam Jones is set to turn his back on Welsh rugby and sign for cash-rich English second tier side Bristol.

The Lions tighthead prop is believed to have turned down a new deal with his current region the Ospreys, as well as the offer of a central contract with the Welsh Rugby Union in favour of moving across the Severn Bridge.

The move will see Jones to link up with his former Ospreys team-mates Ryan Jones, Ian Evans and gifted runner Matthew Morgan at the ambitious west country club next season.

Bristol, who were on the receiving end of a stunning upset from London Welsh during their end of season play-off for promotion to the Aviva Premiership, are guided by former Ospreys coach Sean Holley and ex-England and Scotland boss Andy Robinson.

And the Welsh enclave the pair are building the other side of the Bristol Channel also includes former Lions and Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel and ex-Wales outside-half Nicky Robinson.

Prop Jones was one of the most sought-after figures in world rugby following his demolition of the Australia scrum during the Lions’ 2-1 Test series success of a year ago.

But a change in the engagement sequence caused him difficulties last term and he struggled for consistency and to impose himself with the force of old.

Speculation over the likelihood of him leaving the Ospreys has been rife for some time, with Newport Gwent Dragons touted as his favoured destination if he followed Wales captain Sam Warburton in signing a central contract.

With his future uncertain, the Ospreys left him out of their starting line-up for most fixtures at the back-end of last season and his restricted game-time was to prove costly when Wales faced South Africa last month.

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Jones’ lack of sharpness and fitness became apparent when he was substituted during the opening half of the 38-16 first Test defeat by coach Warren Gatland and he was left out of the match-day 23 for the second Test, which Wales lost by a point after blowing leads of 17-0 and 30-17, conceding two tries in the final eight minutes.

The 33-year-old was on a list of six marquee players – Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams and Alun Wyn Jones were the others – whose deals were up at the end of last season put to the union for consideration for central contracts.

Only Warburton opted to sign with the WRU, who maintain the regions asked for help in keeping the super six in Wales.

Lions and Wales sharp-shooter Halfpenny opted for a big-money move to Heineken Cup holders Toulon, outside-half Priestland and centre Williams decided to stay with the Scarlets and Alun Wyn with the Ospreys.

Adam Jones made his Wales debut during the pre-World Cup 43-9 2003 hammering against England at the Millennium Stadium and has made a total of 95 appearances for his country and five for the Lions, three in Australia and two in South Africa in 2009.

The Abercrave and Neath product has won every team honour in the game apart other than World Cup and Heineken Cup glory.

His CV includes Lions success, an astonishing four Six Nations titles, three with Grand Slams, a a record four Pro12 titles and a demolition of Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final when it was contested by first-choice teams.

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