Jones, who has skippered Wales on more occasions than any other player, was due to join up with his new team in the summer but the Ospreys’ have now announced that he will officially move to the West Country today.
The news comes on the back of the Ospreys’ defeat to Zebre in Italy on Friday, with the 30-27 reverse ending their hopes of a semi-final spot in the RaboDirect PRO12 a week early.
Jones is now available to feature for Bristol against Rotherham in the two-legged Championship play-off this Saturday and next, with the winner taking on either London Welsh or Leeds Carnegie on May 28 and June 4 for a place in the Aviva Premiership next term.
“We can confirm that Ryan Jones will link up with his new team-mates at Bristol today (Tuesday) in time for their Championship play-off campaign, as per the terms of his transfer as announced in March,” read a statement from the Ospreys.
“Ryan makes the switch after results at the weekend ended the Ospreys’ hopes of making the PRO12 play-offs.
“Everybody at Ospreys Rugby wishes Ryan and his family all the very best and we look forward to welcoming them back to the Liberty Stadium in the future.”
The immediate nature of Jones’ switch across the Severn means that he misses out on a farewell fixture at the Liberty Stadium as he obviously won’t be available for the Ospreys’ clash with Connacht this weekend.
He therefore leaves the Liberty with 150 Ospreys appearances to his name, together with a record-breaking four Celtic League titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup crown across a decade of rugby with the region since his move from the Celtic Warriors back in 2004.
The 33-year-old, 75-cap, triple Grand Slam winning star, will link up with ex-Ospreys boss Sean Holley at Bristol, while Ospreys fly half Matthew Morgan is also making the move in the summer.
“Looking forward to meeting up with my new @Bristol_RFC team mates!! #excitingendtotheseason,” Jones tweeted.
“To all the @ospreys supporters I’m really sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye – thanks for all your support over the years – see you around!!!”
