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Rugby Union

Wing Jones signs new Scarlets deal

24/08/2007

Wales international Mark Jones has signed a new contract with provincial side Llanelli Scarlets to remain with the club until at least the end of the 2010 season.

The winger is in the Welsh first XV to play France in his country's final Rugby World Cup warm-up match at the Millennium Stadium this weekend and will be a key part of the 30-man squad for the tournament next month.

He has scored 14 tries in 38 appearances for Scarlets – including one on his full debut against Border Reivers in January 2004 – and the club's director of rugby Phil Davies said it was an important signing ahead of the new season.

"Mark is a class act and an invaluable member of the squad," he said.

"With him signing up, we now have something like 80 per cent of the squad on long-term contracts which is great news for the Scarlets fans."

Jones' best game came two seasons ago against Newport Gwent Dragons in April 2006, when the 27-year-old scored a hat-trick of tries against the Scarlets' Welsh rivals.

He struggled to break into the starting XV at the beginning of last season, coming on as a replacement in the opening two matches against Northampton Saints and Connacht.

But he since established himself as an important member of the team, scoring five tries in the campaign despite missing two months during Wales' 2007 Six Nations bid.