Scarlets Mark Jones and Simon Easterby end playing days

[TRF_Cymro]

Mark Jones and Simon Easterby have retired and will take up coaching positions at the Scarlets.

Wales wing Jones, 30, has been forced to concede defeat in a long battle to return from a knee injury and has taken a two-year deal as a skills coach.

"It is a double-edged announcement and it has taken some time to accept that I am hanging up my boots," said Jones.

Ex-Ireland and British and Irish Lions flanker Easterby, 35, has accepted a two-year contract as defence coach.​

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8885654.stm​

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's a shame, i've always been a big fan of Mark Jones

 

[munstermuffin]

Fair play to them and Simon Easterby can be proud of a great career and well he did well for us in green too

 

[Feicarsinn]

Sad to see Mark Jones retire, thought he had more to offer Wales, but rugby is a cruel game. Maybe the fact that there seems to be so many young wingers coming through in Wales at the moment influenced his decision.

Meh about Easterby. A decent servant to Irish rugby, but never a standout player. His career effectively ended 3 years ago.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed about Jones.

Easterby was never a standout player but did a fine job when called upon and did a great service to Ireland

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Once Mark had the last set of knee injuries his career was over, sad to say. On his day he had the gas and the ability to finish anything ... and then others ... well not so.

 

[tinchy17]

Sad to see Mark Jones retire, thought he had more to offer Wales, but rugby is a cruel game. Maybe the fact that there seems to be so many young wingers coming through in Wales at the moment influenced his decision.

Meh about Easterby. A decent servant to Irish rugby, but never a standout player. His career effectively ended 3 years ago.

Why has he retired now then?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Why has he retired now then?

Who?
lalalalalalalaala

 

[tinchy17]

Who?
lalalalalalalaala

Simon Easterby

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Simon Easterby

Read the article :lol:

 

[SelimNiai]

Once Mark had the last set of knee injuries his career was over, sad to say. On his day he had the gas and the ability to finish anything ... and then others ... well not so.

As soon as a wingers knee goes then the range of skills drops, can't sidestep, cant swerve and more importantly can't run as fast.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I was always a big fan of Mark Jones, so it's sad to see him go. He was always one of Rugby's real good guys, so it's a shame someone like him is the one who recieves a killer blow. Remember his break in the Grand Slam game Vs France, when he got the ball in Wales' 22, and was about to slide over the tryline when someone caught him and dragged him back? That was incredible. He was always a rock in defence, and will be missed, albeit more for the Scarlets than Wales, with Fenby now almost guarrented a place in the team.

 

[tinchy17]

Personally, I'm more of an Osprey in Welsh rugby, but it'll be sad to see them go.

 

[Draggs]

Shame about Mark and Simon.
Both great servants to their club and countries.

Mark would have had an even better carrier if he was not plagues with the knee injuries.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Sad to hear about Mark Jones, but credit to him coming back after all that reconstructive surgery he had on his knees in 03 the first time, shows his character and determination. Great player.

 

[thomas_davy27]

Great servants to their club and national teams. both have a lot to offer younger players

 

[poopiepeople]

Eh, tough on Jones. Excellent player but those knee injuries always end up beating you in the long run. Those basterds....