English rugby

Bristol in the hunt for Adam Jones

ESPN Staff

Adam Jones celebrates Wales' win over Scotland last year © Getty Images Enlarge

Bristol are understood to have launched an audacious bid to poach Adam Jones from Ospreys as uncertainty grows over the Wales prop's future.

According to the Rugby Paper, Jones has been locked in contract negotiations with both Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union. He is currently Ospreys' highest paid player but his deal with the region expires at the end of this season.

Jones has yet to make an announcement on his future but knows that, at 33, his next contract will likely be his last opportunity for a big pay-day.

Now Bristol - funded by billionaire owner Steve Lansdown - could be about to step in with a huge £300,000 offer to bring Jones to the Memorial Stadium. Head coach Sean Holley has already made several big-name signings from his former region, bringing in Ryan Jones and U20 fly-half Matthew Morgan for next season.

Ospreys thought they had convinced Jones to stay, but a source at the region said: "Ospreys shook on the contract, but once they became aware Adam was considering an increased offer from the WRU, they withdrew their offer as they had no intention of entering a bidding war."

Saracens are also interested in signing Jones and have offered a similar deal of £300,000. However, if Jones is to leave Wales, a move to Bristol is thought to be a better fit, giving him the chance to work with his former coach and to stay in his Merthyr home where he lives with his family.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd