Ospreys & Wales in Jones stand-off

The Welsh Rugby Union has been dragged into another public spat, after reports emerged that they want to put another top player on a central contract.

In the latest incident the Ospreys have accused the WRU of continuing to negotiate with Adam Jones and breaking a pledge that they would not compete with them for his signature.

Lyn Jones reportedly gave journalists the impression at a Dragons media briefing that the 33-year-old prop had signed a contract with the union.

But the Ospreys have yet to officially give up on their chances to retain the services of their B&I Lions and Wales tighthead prop and issued a statement pointing an accusatory finger at the governing body.

"We received Email confirmation from the Welsh Rugby Union on February 12 that they would not compete with us to sign Adam," said the region’s chief executive Andrew Hore.

"We subsequently discovered they were continuing to negotiate with him and have offered him considerably more.

"We are still waiting to hear back from Adam. The ball is in his court."

The Ospreys have been desperate for the situation to be resolved so they can put in place firm budgetary plans for next season, and have previously issued a statement saying the situation couldn't drag on indefinitely.

Further muddying the waters is a legally binding agreement the four regions have in place which prevents them from playing any centrally contracted players.

Source: South Wales Evening Post