Elwood: Jones will be a hit at Munster
The Leinster Academy member, a dual status player with Seapoint and Old Belvedere, has inked a deal until the end of the 2010/2011 season with the Heineken Cup champions.
Jones played in all of Ireland U20’s Grand Slam-winning games in 2007 alongside Munster’s Keith Earls. He has also been capped at senior level by Leinster and has represented the province at U19 and U20 grades.
Irish legend Elwood, who coached the U20 side three years ago, is a huge fan of Jones and attempted to sign him for Connacht this season.
Elwood admitted yesterday: “I tried to get him to come to Connacht. He was on our radar for sometime. Our loss is Munster’s gain. I think he is a very good player. He is good tall guy and is not afraid of contact.
“He is a good thinker, surprisingly strong and has plenty of pace. Full-back is his best position. But he is one of those lads, in that age group, that needs more game time if they are to progress.”
Elwood revealed that Jones first came to prominence following an injury to Irish talent Luke Fitzgerald.
“Luke was underage at the time, was training with the senior squad, got an injury as was not released down to us. Felix came on in his place and scored two tries against Wales in his first game.
“He was outstanding in that campaign. I would say that he is very similar to Luke in the way he plays the game.
“There were times we were playing against bigger teams and he had to be dug out of opponents. He is not afraid to put his body on the line.
“He is a very brave player, with good all-round skills but hasn’t played a lot of rugby. I hope that will change as he will definitely benefit from the more matches that he plays.”
Meanwhile, Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final opponents, the Ospreys, have signed Samoa captain Filipo Levi.
The 29-year-old lock will link up with his new team in time for their Magners League game against Connacht on February 22.
Ospreys have recruited him from Japanese side Ricoh Black Rams, making their move as Ian Gough and Alun-Wyn Jones are both on Six Nations duty with Wales, while Lyndon Bateman and Ian Evans are injured.
Levi has played in 10 Tests for Samoa and also represented the Pacific Islands on five occasions, including their 39-13 defeat against England at Twickenham in November.
Elsewhere, Gloucester have swooped to sign Carlos Spencer — just four days after he left their Guinness Premiership rivals Northampton Saints.
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