Last week we took a look at the young Dragons set to play for Wales Under-20s as they hosted Ireland at Rodney Parade. This week we continue the player profiles with flanker Ryan Jones, who won his first cap in the win out in Italy.
Jones initially came on as a HIA replacement before returning to see out the game late on as Harri Ford’s successful penalty helped Wales to a first away win in the Six Nations for five years.
“It was definitely a bit of a weird first cap, I would love to have stayed on longer, but I enjoyed every minute on there,” said Jones.
“My mum, my dad, my little brother and my bamp came up, which was a good experience for them.
“They missed cap presentation! I didn't tell them that it was going on, so I wasn’t in the best books.
“My brother was definitely the favourite that weekend!”
Family Influence
To attend the game, Jones’ family weren’t the only ones having to take time off work with the flanker having followed the family trade and become a butcher at Merthyr’s Kepak abattoir, able to balance that with his Dragons Academy commitments.
“I'm a full-time butcher when I'm not playing rugby,” said Jones. “It's a family trade, so my dad got me into it.”
“It’s more of a Plan B because I didn't like the college route, you always need a Plan B because whether you make it in rugby or not, it's not really a long career.
“I do enjoy work, but when I'm training with the Under-20s it’s what I love every day and then the days off I set the alarm for quarter to five and get ready to go to work, it's definitely a different type of life.”
Being a butcher isn’t the only thing which runs in the family, with Jones having also inherited his love of rugby from his father.
“I grew up in a rugby family, my dad played, his four brothers play, so I grew up watching them,” said the 18-year-old.
“They played for Garndiffaith and Blaenavon, so I just grew up watching them.”
So why not join the likes of current Dragons prop Chris Coleman and begin his rugby journey at ‘The Garn’?
“I wasn’t tough enough to play for the Garn,” Jones joked.
“Pontypool United was one of the only minis and juniors around when I first started, so didn't have much of an option, but I definitely chose the right one and it was the right place for me.”
Having joined Pontypool United at five, Jones has been part of the club for more than a decade, continuing through the age groups before making his debut for the SRC this season.
“It’s an honour to play for Pontypool RFC,” said Jones. “Everyone who grows up in Pontypool wants to play for the club, so it has been big honour for me to be able to run out in the jersey.”
"RGC away was my first game for Pooler we didn't have the same following as we normally would, but they were still there and it was a proud moment for me.
“The crowd at Pontypool Park is like our 16th man. We talk about getting them involved as much as we can, because it's probably not a very nice place to come when you're not from Pontypool.”
Development Learnings
Jones was Dragons Under-18s captain last season an experience he took “a lot of learnings” from with the side having a tough season.
“It was good for me,” recalled Jones. “Trying to keep the same morale for the boys, every week, was tough but a good learning experience.”
“I had to focus on not just playing well myself but also trying to tap into other boys to make them play a little bit better.
“It’s a massive step up from that to Wales U20s.
“Last year in under 18's games, I'd catch myself a little bit switched off maybe, but with Wales, if you switch off, you get punished for it so just staying on for the full time that you're on there is the biggest learning for me.”
Jones was an ever-present for Dragons Under-18s last year and at only 18 is still eligible to play in the RAG championship, however the decision was made for him to pursue senior rugby with Pontypool and attempt to get into the Wales U20s team.
While he made his international debut against Italy, Jones was left out against Ireland and admits that not being first choice has been a difficult experience.
“With Wales and Pooler, they've definitely taught me how to deal with non-selection,” said Jones.
“Dragons eighteens, I was captain, I started every game and I've never really had to deal with that sort of pain.
“Whereas here, I’ve had to learn how to deal with it and push it to the side and still be able to be yourself and train how you want to train instead of letting it get on top of you.
“I've still got a bit a bit to go, you still let it show sometimes, but it's just about swallowing a bit of pride and prepping the boys how they need to be trained because you know they’d do the same for you when they're you’re in their shoes.”
Following his first taste of international Under-20s rugby, Jones aspires to make the Wales Under-20s World Cup squad for this summer and then to being part of a Dragons match day squad in the future.
“I'd love to be involved in the World Cup,” said Jones.
“I think if I had a good involvement and a good couple of games over there, it would definitely push me towards the Dragons squad.
“That’s the end goal for me this season, is to be able to quit work and go full time with rugby.”
When I'm training with 20s it’s what I love every day and then the days off I set the alarm for quarter to five and get ready to go to work, it's definitely a different type of life...
