Former Wales U-20s prop Joe Jones signs for Sale Sharks from French side Perpignan on a five-year contract.

Jones, 22, has spent time with Welsh Premiership clubs RGC 1404, Cardiff and Pontypridd whilst with regional side Cardiff Blues before joining Perpignan, and will now move to Sale after spending two years in France’s second division.

“I’m really looking forward to giving my all to ensure I maximise the opportunity,” Jones said.

“The time now feels right for me to return home and I relish the chance to provide the coaches a real selection option and hopefully help the Sharks to more successes in the Premiership.”

Jones, who is from Mold in North Wales, spent two years at Sale’s academy before joining Cardiff Blues in 2013.

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby, Steve Diamond, said: “He’s coming back to join us and we see him following in the footsteps of Will Griff John. At just 22, his maturation as a prop will come and we have got big plans for Joe.

“The way that the scrum laws have gone, we need these lads to be athletes and durable as well as real physical specimens and Joe possesses all of those qualities and we are delighted to have signed him.”