Ospreys coach Sean Holley fears Adam Jones French exit
- Published
Adam Jones has won 76 Test caps since his Wales debut against England in 2003
Sean Holley has admitted he could not blame British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones if he leaves the Ospreys for a big-money move to France.
The Wales tight-head has revealed he could be the latest Welsh international to join the exodus when his Ospreys deal expires at the end of this season.
James Hook, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne left the Ospreys for France and the Welsh region fear Jones may follow.
"You can't blame players for taking up offers," said Ospreys coach Holley.
"We've experienced it already but we want Adam to be at the region.
"He is a local boy, I taught him when he was 17 so he has been here a long time and he loves playing at this region."
The 76-times capped Welshman has been at the Ospreys since their formation following the introduction of regional rugby in Wales.
Jones has developed into one of the finest tight-head props in world rugby and the 30-year-old would find plenty of suitors should he want to leave Wales.
Luke Charteris revealed last week that he is to leave Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the season and the Wales lock has been heavily linked with a move to Hook's new club Perpignan.
Jones' fellow Wales and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins has also hinted he could leave the Cardiff Blues for France when his contract expires in the summer of 2012.
And Jones has admitted: "I am out of contract in June and I have decisions to make.
"I would consider playing in France. I have a young family and have to look after them.
"I have had no offers set in stone, but I would be happy to go there."
Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson has already called for to keep Wales' best players in Wales.
Both Blues coach Gareth Baber and Scarlets boss Nigel Davies have asked the Welsh Rugby Union for more money so Welsh clubs can hold on to their star players.
Ospreys want Jones to remain at the Liberty Stadium but Holley understands that French clubs, with their wealthy benefactors, have greater financial power than Welsh clubs.
"We don't compete on a level playing field and it is very difficult," bemoaned Holley.
"It's a predicament for people higher than myself to sort out because my job here is to coach Adam.
"And I hope I get the chance to coach him for a few more years."