Blues Chase Lions Star

Geth and Steve Jones
By Andrew Collins
December 17 2005

The Blues are back in the market, this time for Wales Grand Slammer and Lions test starter Steven Jones! The former Llanelli outside half moved to Clermont (Montferrant) 1 1/2 years ago, and his contract runs out at the end of this season.

He was voted the 'Best Outside Half In French Rugby' last year, after setting the league alight with sterling displays for his club side. But with his contract ending this year, the Welshman has admitted, he wants to come home to Wales.

The Blues have been rumoured to be chasing Steven for a long time, with the first reports leaking back in May, but it now seems that Cardiff will be making a bid to significantly improve their failing backs.

He looks set to leave France at the end of the season, and the Blues are likely to be the only Welsh region who can afford his 6-figure salary. The Scarlets are of course likely to bid for the fly half, but as seen over the last few months, Peter Thomas seems to be back with avengence, and hand-picking the talent he wznts, and bringing it to the Arms Park.

What is particulalry good about these transfers, is that the 3 backs being lined-up are all Welsh. Barry Davies, Matthew Watkins and Steven Jones would all improve the back line tremendously and would see an impressive all welsh line-up of Mike Phillips, Steven Jones/Nicky Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Matthew Watkins/Jamie Robinson, Rhys Williams, Chris Czekaj and Barry Davies.

Add those players to the suddenly impressive forwards and you've got a very impressive team, who would surely push for major honours.

Writting this article is reminding me of the days when Cardiff used to literally get whoever they needed to win the league, but were then branded 'Cheque Book Charlies'.

4 Years ago, the Blues released a lot of aging, expensive stars, looking to develop a squad built from youth. This was the era of Rhys Williams, Ryan Powell, Nicky and Jamie Robinson, Craig Morgan and others. However, these players are 25/26 now and the long-term plan for winning trophies by blooding youngsters never quite payed off.

So the Blues ook asthough a new era is set to begin, Cardiff 'Check Book Charlies' may well be branded around stadiums again, but i cant wait, because whenever is it, is means success for the Capital.