Ospreys get blues as folk hero Adam Jones signs for Cardiff

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Welsh rugby continued its headlong descent into tragi-comic farce when folk-hero prop Adam Jones ended his long association with Ospreys and threw in his lot with Cardiff Blues.

The first the long-suffering sporting public knew of the move was when the Blues published a squad photograph with the triple Grand Slam winner in the front row.

Jones may have spent 11 years with Ospreys but there was no hint of thanks. Instead, the Swansea-based side claimed that they had made two unconditional offers to the 33-year-old tight-head, followed by a third that was dependent on a successful outcome to the fractious dispute between the four professional regional teams and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Jones had been linked with a number of clubs, including Bristol. Many believed he would ultimately follow the lead of Sam Warburton, the Cardiff Blues flanker and Wales captain, by signing a central contract. By making this decision, he is free to play immediately – which is more than Warburton can do.

With the regional teams agreeing that no centrally contracted player should be selected until the new participation agreement is signed, Warburton is in limbo.

Meanwhile, Wales lock Luke Charteris will be out for up to eight weeks after breaking a bone in his left foot.