Dragons No10 signs new deal (From Free Press Series)
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Dragons No10 signs new deal
7:00am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Sport
Exclusive By Chris Kirwan
STAYING ON PARADE: Dragon Steffan Jones
FLY-HALF Steffan Jones has committed his future to Newport Gwent Dragons by penning a new two-year deal with the Rodney Parade region.
The 22-year-old, from Bargoed, had been attracting interest from England with London Welsh and Wasps among the sides that were monitoring his situation.
But he has opted to stay put after fighting back from being out in the cold around Christmas time to establish himself as the region’s first choice fly-half.
At the turn of the year he was behind Lewis Robling and full-back Dan Evans in the pecking order and playing his rugby back at Cross Keys in the Premiership.
But he has worn the Dragons’ number 10 jersey in the last six games and last month he set a regional record when he kicked 27 points and seven penalties against London Welsh.
“Steffan is a player that has great potential, he has responded to many challenges and we are delighted that he will be aiming to progress to the next level with us,” said head coach Darren Edwards.
“It has been a tough season for us and that often puts the 10 in the spotlight but after some tough times he grasped his chance at the start of the year and that shows great character.
“I think that Steffan is a natural player that can close a game out but also has a great ability to almost win games on his own – he can be a real match winner.
“He didn’t come through an academy system so is new to certain aspects of being a professional but that means there is plenty of room for improvement, as I am sure he would admit, and that is exciting.”
The Dragons signed former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees a fortnight ago and are close to adding a number of experienced players to aid in the development of their young talent – including a seasoned fly-half.
“Steffan is one of many bright young players here and with the addition of some experienced players over the summer I am confident that they will all develop rapidly,” said Edwards.
Comments(8)
Risca1
says...
8:43am Tue 19 Mar 13
Robert Shillabeer
says...
2:27pm Tue 19 Mar 13
Risca1 wrote:Mark Ring is not ready yet to step uptosuch a job, Paul Turner has been there and done it so can't see him coming back. Having sad that a god inning for the future but he needs a seasoned player to coach him along a bit. With so many young guns in the squad some older heads needed to pass on their knowledge a bit. Any sign of the new signings we were promised is the main question on everyone's lips at the moment.
Yes good signing, he could do with a fly half mentor like Paul Turner or Mark Ring to bring him through. Don't know if current bunch of coaches are able to do so.
Risca1
says...
3:22pm Tue 19 Mar 13
Robert Shillabeer wrote:I was not referring to Turner or Ringo to come in, merely stating that a previous fly half who has donned the '10 shirt. Tovey went back at a rate of knots when Turner left and has never recovered. Young players like Steffan need to be brought through quietly. Steffan has not been managed particularly well by the Dragons. Flavour of the month one week then sent packing to Pandy Park the next. That does nothing for the boy's confidence.
Risca1 wrote:Mark Ring is not ready yet to step uptosuch a job, Paul Turner has been there and done it so can't see him coming back. Having sad that a god inning for the future but he needs a seasoned player to coach him along a bit. With so many young guns in the squad some older heads needed to pass on their knowledge a bit. Any sign of the new signings we were promised is the main question on everyone's lips at the moment.
Yes good signing, he could do with a fly half mentor like Paul Turner or Mark Ring to bring him through. Don't know if current bunch of coaches are able to do so.
blackandamber
says...
8:04pm Tue 19 Mar 13
Robert Shillabeer
says...
8:42pm Tue 19 Mar 13
Risca1 wrote:I agree that he needs careful and thoughtful coaching by a past master to get the best out of him but he is still learning. He should now be settled at the Dragons and not be going back to Keys between games, it's hard trying to play at two levels and he's too good to keep doing that to him. A settled period will pay dividends for both him and the team, lets hope he gets one.
Robert Shillabeer wrote:I was not referring to Turner or Ringo to come in, merely stating that a previous fly half who has donned the '10 shirt. Tovey went back at a rate of knots when Turner left and has never recovered. Young players like Steffan need to be brought through quietly. Steffan has not been managed particularly well by the Dragons. Flavour of the month one week then sent packing to Pandy Park the next. That does nothing for the boy's confidence.
Risca1 wrote:Mark Ring is not ready yet to step uptosuch a job, Paul Turner has been there and done it so can't see him coming back. Having sad that a god inning for the future but he needs a seasoned player to coach him along a bit. With so many young guns in the squad some older heads needed to pass on their knowledge a bit. Any sign of the new signings we were promised is the main question on everyone's lips at the moment.
Yes good signing, he could do with a fly half mentor like Paul Turner or Mark Ring to bring him through. Don't know if current bunch of coaches are able to do so.
Gooding
says...
11:30pm Tue 19 Mar 13
corpardguy
says...
8:02pm Wed 20 Mar 13
Whats Dai Watkins doing now????? there was no one better on the planet when he was on song.
high x boy says...
8:02am Tue 19 Mar 13