Former St Helens centre Josh Jones is part of Salford Red Devils’ long-term strategy under new director of rugby Tim Sheens.
The 22-year-old Jones last night became Sheens’ 13th new recruit for 2016, having signed a two-year contract with an option for a third season, as the former Australia head coach rebuilds the Red Devils following two years of failure.
Salford’s colourful owner Marwan Koukash persuaded Sheens in October to relinquish his role with the Kangaroos and help transform the fortunes of the First Utility Super League club – and the 65-year-old is relishing the challenge as he begins a three-year deal.
Sheens is still hands-on with the players, working alongside Ian Watson, the man he appointed as head coach, but is also working on the club’s administration and has been busy in the close season with recruitment.
Gone are the big-money buys like Gareth Hock and Rangi Chase and in their place are lesser lights hand-picked by Sheens with an eye on the future.
After losing £1.7million in their last financial year – an improvement compared to around £5million in Koukash’s first year in charge – Sheens is working to a tighter budget and also preparing for a reduction in the number of interchanges from 2017 which will require a more versatile set of forwards.
“We’re working with some constraints and so be it,” Sheens said at the club’s pre-season media day at the AJ Bell Stadium.
“No-one makes a profit in this business. Rugby league is a non-profit organisation, it is in Australia as well.
“As an owner, Marwan puts more in than anyone else and that’s a credit to him. He’s very happy with what we’re doing. He’s stepped back and given me the recruitment role but we operate as a group.
“We’ve brought in the right people and strengthened positions. We have looked at a different style of player for this year.
“We’re looking down the track too. I don’t want to be recruiting 10 players every year. We’re buying players who will be here for a few years so the average age has dropped.
“We are also looking at mobility because Super League is going down to eight interchanges next year.”
Jones, who can slot into the back row as well as the threequarters, fits the requirements and also helps offset the injuries suffered by new signing Daniel Vidot and former Leeds Rhinos second rower Weller Hauraki, who are likely to miss half the season after undergoing shoulder and Achilles surgery respectively.
Jones, a member of St Helens’ 2014 Grand Final-winning team, has made a rapid return to Super League after cutting short his stay in rugby union at Exeter for family reasons.
“It fell into our lap,” Sheens said. “His manager rang me up and we were in a good position financially with our cap.
“He was exactly what we were looking for. He can play centre and plays all three back-row spots. He’s 23 so he’s a great fit. He’s a great character and he’s got aspirations of rep football.”
Although he has had one eye on the future, Sheens insists Salford can be competitive this year as they look to avoid another brush with relegation after fighting it out in the Super 8s Qualifiers in 2015.
“We’ll surprise a few people,” he said. “After getting our tails singed, we don’t want to be down there again, It was probably a good experience for us actually to have been one of the first clubs to go through it.
“Like every club, we want to make the eight but we also don’t want to be just eighth and be cannon fodder as a couple of clubs were this year. If you get into the eight, you want to be in with a chance.”