Jones 'surprise' at Ospreys head coach role timing

Toby Booth (left) and Mark Jones worked together at Ospreys for more than a season

United Rugby Championship: Ospreys v Scarlets

Venue: Swansea.com Stadium Date: Saturday, 21 December Kick-off: 17:15 GMT

Coverage: Scrum V Live on BBC Two Wales, commentary on BBC Radio Wales.

New Ospreys head coach Mark Jones says he is surprised to be taking on the role early following Toby Booth's departure.

The Ospreys announced in September that Booth would be succeeded by former Wales wing Jones at the end of the 2024-25 season.

After a record European defeat in Montpellier on Saturday, Booth's departure was brought forward to this week, with defence coach Jones promoted six months earlier than planned.

Jones and the Ospreys squad were told about the decision just four days before the United Rugby Championship (URC) derby against Scarlets on Saturday.

"I was surprised when I got the call to have a discussion about what it would look like if I needed to take the role on," said Jones.

"The first thing that comes into your head is Toby, where he sits in it and his emotions. It's tough because he's given a lot to the region.

"You then think about the people in front of you and the job you've got in your hands, the responsibility you've got to the badge."

Jones admits he had always been preparing for a future transition.

"It's not a shock in that respect, because there was a handover period," said Jones.

"There was a transition that was brought forward. These things happen in sport.

"Without giving it too much disrespect, these things are always in the back of your mind.

"Things can get taken away from you as a player or coach very quickly. We know this in our line of work.

"I'm excited about the role and a good opportunity to experience something different."

A season of struggles

After reaching the URC play-offs and Challenge Cup quarter-finals in 2023-24, Ospreys have struggled during this campaign.

They have two wins from their opening seven URC fixtures, which has seen them slip to 14th in the table.

This was before the 59-15 Challenge Cup defeat in France last weekend.

Question marks were raised about the Ospreys' decision to announce the succession plan before the season started.

Jones insists there were no issues about working with Booth during the first three months of this season, knowing changes would occur in the summer of 2025.

"They were no different to last season," said Jones.

"If I was to give Toby and myself any credit, we're both professional people.

"We've got a good relationship and it made it easy. Our relationship is a strong one, it still is now. I know he'll want us to do well and Ospreys to thrive.

"There's a piece of him within the history of the club. All we can do as a playing group is represent his effort and time he's given to the badge.

"I don't need to speak about his record. It speaks for itself. He's done a really good job. "

Jones believes a local derby victory against Scarlets would be a fitting tribute to Booth.

"I know he'll be behind the boys on the weekend," said Jones.

"He'll be disappointed he's not there, prowling the terraces. All we can do as a playing group is represent his effort and time he's given to the badge.

"We'll do our very best on the weekend. Then my job is to try and grow the environment to the next level, hopefully."

Managing workload

Former international wing Mark Jones has had previous coaching stints with Scarlets, Wales, Namibia and Crusaders

Jones has had to manage the reaction of the players to Booth's departure.

"They've reacted how you'd expect," said Jones.

"We've slowly tried to turn our focus to the game.

"There's been a little moment of contemplation of what it might mean for them in the short-term, what it might mean for the team and what they might need to pick up between now and the end of the year with us not having Toby in the room."

Jones will have an added workload initially with flanker Justin Tipuric continuing the final year of his playing career before retiring and becoming defence coach for the 2025-26 season.

"There'll be a bit of a spike in workload, with one coach down in the building," said Jones.

"I'm passionate about Justin finishing his playing career and not coming over to the coaching career early because of what has happened.

"It's important to me he stays in the playing role and almost becomes the coach within the team.

"I want him to enjoy his last year as a player, give the best account of himself and remember the year positively."

Jones says he would like to bring in a coach for the rest of the season.

"We are looking at it," said Jones.

"Because things have happened so quickly, we've had a few days to prepare the team to play this fixture against Scarlets.

"But in my own mind, I have been thinking about what that work-flow looks like.

"We've got a responsibility as a management group to create the best environment for players, giving them the tools they need to perform.

"Having hands on deck is important. So we will be adding support to the playing group, we're just not sure what it looks like at the minute."