Bedford Blues Jones switches to Amps

He joins Ben Calder, of London Scottish and another former Bedford player, as they swap Championship outfits to play for the Amps in National One.

Fly half Jones, born in Caerphilly, made 44 appearances for Bedford in the Championship and British & Irish Cup.

Prior to joining Blues he spent four years with Newport Gwent Dragons where he played in the European Challenge Cup, Rabo Direct, LV Cup and British & Irish Cup in his 43 appearances.

Jones said: “I am delighted to start a new chapter in my rugby career with Ampthill whose ethos reminds me of the clubs of my youth in Wales.

“I intend to help Ampthill in any way I can on and off the field. Having worked with (Amps head coach) Paul Turner at Dragons I am looking forward to working with him again.”

Scrum half Calder made 14 appearances in the Championship and the British & Irish Cup for London Scottish.

A member of Saracens Academy from the age of 12 and capped for Wales U18, he also made four appearances for Bedford Blues in the Championship and the British & Irish Cup in 2013-14.

Calder said: “I am excited to join Ampthill whose ambition and recent achievements make it a leading club in National One.

“I am looking forward to both my personal development and achieving further success for Ampthill working with Paul Turner and the coaching team.”

Head coach Turner was delighted that Stef was heading to Ampthill after a successful couple of seasons at Goldington Road, saying: : “It will be great to work with him again after a short spell at Dragons in 2010-11.

“Ben has been on the radar for sometime since his Saracens days and joins with Championship experience at both London Scottish and Bedford Blues.

“Both will add quality to our half back strength alongside England Counties fly half Joe Tarrant and scrum halves Gav Williams, Kevin Barrett and Tom Warfield.”

- Bedford Blues were stunned to hear of the death of former player David Francombe. See page 11.