RHYS Jones is in line to boost Ebbw Vale’s bid for Premiership survival by making a swift return to Eugene Cross Park, writes Chris Kirwan.

The influential fly-half left the Steelmen to join champions Merthyr after an impressive season pulling the strings for Greg Woods’ team.

The 32-year-old former Dragons and Scarlets playmaker finished as the league’s top points scorer and was snapped up by the Ironmen.

Jones played on his former stamping ground last weekend when Merthyr sneaked a 19-17 win that added to Ebbw’s relegation fears.

He was a leading figure throughout with his kicking out of hand, slotted a smart drop goal and fast hands to work flanker Jake Thomas over for a try.

The loss means that the Steelmen are are bottom of the table, two points behind Bridgend with a game in hand on the Ravens.

Ebbw have won two of their 12 games but with six losing bonus points will hope Jones can help them edge more tight tussles.

The fly-half posted a picture from last season on Twitter on Tuesday night alluding to his return to Eugene Cross Park but a deal has not yet been rubber-stamped.

 

That means the Wales Sevens international, who succeeded his father Kingsley and younger brother Dorian in playing for Ebbw, is still in line to play for Merthyr this weekend.

That could lead to him doing Ebbw, who travel to Llandovery, a favour as the Ironmen entertain Bridgend at the Wern.