Jones eyes Test jersey as he joins Edinburgh

Published on Tuesday 26 May 2009 23:06

EDINBURGH have confirmed the signing of former Borders stand-off Steve Jones from Newcastle Falcons.

The move, which was revealed in The Scotsman earlier this month, sees Jones agreeing a two-year contract and becoming the fifth signing made by Andy Robinson this year. He follows fellow Scottish-qualified players Scott MacLeod, Ross Samson, David Young and Roddy Grant in moving to the capital and, while a versatile player, Jones is being viewed primarily as a full-back to challenge Chris Paterson and Jim Thomson for the No 15 jersey.

The 26-year-old played for Scotland 'A' under Robinson this season and under Rob Moffat, the Edinburgh backs coach, last year. He said: "I wanted to move back to Scotland because I've got aspirations to get into the national squad; I knew from January onwards that I wanted to move to Edinburgh. I know that both Chris and Jim are good players and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Chris is a world class kicker, so I fully understand it will be a difficult task to become first choice.

"What Edinburgh did last season was awesome – their highest-ever finish in the Magners League. Edinburgh did not finish second for nothing. I want to be part of that success story continuing. But I've not just signed to play for Edinburgh; I also want to become Scotland's first choice full-back, so I'm going to give it everything to make the jersey mine."

Jones revealed that it was his relationship with Moffat, developed on last year's Churchill Cup tour, which led to the move. He added: "Rob is all about player development which is ideal for me at this stage in my career."

&#149 Scotland A coach Andy Robinson has added Edinburgh hooker Andrew Kelly and Glasgow back-row forward Calum Forrester to his squad for next month's IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest after the withdrawals of Ross Ford and Scott Newlands. Hooker Ford has been called into the Lions squad, while Edinburgh flanker Newlands has been ruled out with a bicep injury.