Saint-Andre rewards Jones
October 12, 2000

Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre has rewarded flanker Kinglsey Jones for his efforts by re-instating him as club captain.

Jones, 30, had been acting as skipper following Kiwi Ian Jones resignation following a poor start to the season.

"It is a great honour to captain Gloucester," said Jones, who was the club skipper last season.

It is great news and I am happy to do it. I am a good captain and I am very positive about it."

All three games that Jones has led since taking over as acting captain have been victories and after last Friday's Heineken Cup win at Llanelli his appointment to the post looked a foregone conclusion.

Fans had crowded around the tunnel at Llanelli after the 27-20 victory chanting: "We want Kingsley, we want Kingsley."

Last season, Jones' inspirational captaincy helped Gloucester to third place in the Premiership.

This season, under Ian Jones, their season began poorly but now seems to have picked up under the leadership of the Welshman - and with the arrival of star centre Jason Little from Australia.

One of the reasons why Saint-Andre dropped Jones as captain at the start of the season was that it was by no means certain the injury-prone Welshman would be an automatic selection in the first team.

Ian Jones was preferred on the basis that he is likely to play in just about all Gloucester's matches.

However, Kiwi Jones was not a success at the helm and stood down saying he preferred to concentrate on his own game.

Kingsley Jones says he accepts that although he is now captain he will have to miss some matches to give young flanker Andy Hazell some big-match outings

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