Lyn Jones to leave London Welsh Rugby club

Former Aviva Premiership Rugby club London Welsh have agreed to release coach Lyn Jones from the third and final year of his contract with the Club.

London Welsh agreed to the release as Lyn Jones wanted to move back to Wales to be nearer his family and home.

Commenting on the move, the Club’s Chairman, Bleddyn Phillips, said: “We are very sad to lose Lyn but after several meetings with him over the past week or so it is abundantly clear that he wishes to move back to Wales for very understandable personal reasons and to be closer to his family. “

“We are very fortunate to have had someone of Lyn’s calibre as our head coach these past two seasons and, as a Club, owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for all that he has achieved for London Welsh.

“I have got to know Lyn very well on a personal basis and we will miss his intuitive feel for the game, as well as his wise counsel, greatly. “

“I know that the players and fellow members of the coaching staff will equally miss his utter dedication and commitment to the Club coupled with his professionalism and strive for excellence across all elements of the game.

“The Club is well under way in the process of choosing a successor to Lyn and has already identified a short list of three eminently qualified people to take over the role of head coach. “

“We very much hope to be able to move forward and finalise such discussions in the next few days and then make an announcement. Meanwhile we offer Lyn, his wife, Helen, and all his family our very best wishes for the future and can assure them always of a very warm and grateful welcome at the Club.”

Lyn Jones said: “It’s been an unbelievable journey with London Welsh, but sadly, and I do sincerely mean sadly, it now personally draws to a close.

“Just when I thought, as a coach, I’d experienced all what the game can offer, London Welsh happened.

“The last two years have proved both exhilarating and challenging in Richmond, but my return to Wales has to happen and I leave with hope that I have helped players improve in a small way.

“The Club has the vision and ambition to ensure a successful pursuit of retaining its position as one of the top teams in English rugby, and I wish it all the very best for the future.

“I’ve made many life long friends here and I’ll make sure our paths will cross again one day. To all at London Welsh I say a heartfelt thank you.”