Ruddock Keeps Building
Neath hooker Steve Jones and Swansea centre Steve Winn have become the latest players to join Mike Ruddock’s Gwent revolution at Rodney Parade.
Both players have been snapped up by Ruddock who has been far the busier of the five regional coaches on the transfer market over the last two weeks as he builds his side for next season.
Hooker Jones, capped once as a replacement on Wales’ tour to Japan in 2001, has been touted around after falling behind Barry Williams and young prospect Adam Matthews at Neath. He was linked to Cardiff before they signed Gareth Williams from Bridgend last week and has now decided to follow Neath teammate Jamie Ringer by throwing his hat in with Gwent.
The second hooker berth is likely to be between Newport pair Paul Young and James Richards with Ebbw Vale skipper Leyton Phillips already having been told he will not be offered a regional contract.
Meanwhile Winn has become the latest player to leave Swansea after agreeing terms with the Newport-Ebbw Vale province.
The former Wales youth and Wales A centre is the ninth player so far to leave Swansea while his arrival at Rodney Parade is sure to fuel speculation that Jason Jones-Hughes is on his way out.
Jones-Hughes, capped three times, has yet to be offered a regional contract and is already said to be considering a move to either England or France.
The double Gwent signing follows the capture of Pontypridd pair Michael Owen and Brett Davey, Bridgend duo Craig Warlow and Shawn van Rensburg and Ringer.