The Warriors announced last week that Jones would be returning from New Zealand to become their senior assistant coach, while details of the promotion of Thomas to head coach were revealed on Wednesday.
Although he played most of his rugby at the Ospreys, the 67-times capped back row man captained the Warriors at the tail end of his career and helped them to beat Bristol in the Championship play-off final to earn promotion back to the English Premiership.
He returned to Sixways as forwards coach last summer after spending four years in the coaching team at Bristol Bears. Now he has been promoted to the role of head coach as part of the Warriors’ succession planning.
Thomas will continue to work closely with experienced Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons, and will head a coaching team that includes Jones, who starts work this week as senior assistant coach, backs and attack coach Matt Sherratt, scrum and assistant forwards coach Mark Irish and academy transition and skills coach Jonny Goodridge.
“With our coaching group having been in place for roughly six months and having overseen 15 matches in that time and, with Mark Jones having now joined us as Senior Assistant and Defence Coach completing the coaching team, and
“The time is right for us to implement the next stage of the strategic plan which we have in place for the club. Our coaching group has been in place for roughly six months, and oversee 15 matches, and now Mark Jones has joined to complete the team,” said Solomons.
“JT will now formally assume the position of Head Coach with responsibility for team performance and all that entails.”
The 38-year-old Thomas played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups and made 44 appearances for the Warriors between 2013 and 2015.
“I’m very excited about the coaching group and we’ve got a good balance of personalities. That is important because it’s not just about coaching, it’s about having individuals who complement the different needs of the players,” said Thomas.
“We all have different strengths, but most importantly, as a group we all get along very well. The synergy of the group is essential and it’s important that the players see that.
“We’re realistic about where we are at and we know there is a lot of work to do. It has been challenging for us not having a pre-season with the players and not having a specialist defence coach until Mark’s arrival.
“That will give us a huge boost. I’ve told the players that in me they will get someone who is really passionate about what they do.
“Alongside that, you have got to have a clear vision and plan about the direction in which we need to go. I’m excited about the future of this club and I really believe in its potential.”
