The Guernsey Rugby Club is proud to announce that Luke Jones has been recruited by the Cornish Pirates with two other promising players ‘to bolster their squad as they look ahead to what promises to be a fascinatingly interesting new season’ as quoted in their press release issued today. The other two players are Mike Pope a scrum-half/utility back and Angus Sinclair a fly half/full-back.

Commenting with reference to these additions to the Cornish Pirates squad, Head Coach Ian Davies said: ‘These three young players fit our recruitment policy set out to meet the club ambitions of being Premiership ready by 2016. We look forward to seeing their development over the coming seasons.’

Luke is a member of the Brooks Macdonald High Performance programme at the Sports Commission. The programme sets itself the challenge of assisting young sports people to fulfil their potential; helping them to overcome challenges they may face by offering guidance and funding. Ultimately, ensuring that being from Guernsey is an advantage to achieving in sport. Jeremy Frith Director of the High Performance Programme said, ‘Luke has been an outstanding example of hard work, dedication and perseverance and we are delighted that he has earned this opportunity to continue his development. The opportunity to continue his rugby at a high level alongside full-time education is fantastic and something we are very pleased to be supporting’.
Luke started his rugby, aged seven, at the Guernsey Rugby Academy. Playing for Guernsey up to Colts level, he made his debut for Guernsey 1st XV in January, 2010, contributing a key role in their promotion to London South 1. At the end of the season he also received Guernsey RFC's Young Player of the Year award.

In May, 2010, Luke gained his first cap in the Siam Cup - the annual match against Jersey and the second oldest rugby honour contested after the Calcutta Cup - and at the same time he became the youngest to do so since England's Matthew Banahan.

During the 2011/12 season Luke continued to play for Guernsey, helping the club achieve back-to- back promotion into National League 3 London & SE, the highest position the club has ever attained. Also, in April, 2012, he became the first Channel Islander to earn an England under 18s cap, when he was thrilled to score a try against Ireland on his debut.

Luke was selected to receive the Hampshire RFU 18 Group Robbie Keast Memorial Trophy which is the Hampshire RFU’s most prestigious youth trophy. It was awarded to Luke as he was voted to be their best youth player last season.
Following a full-time spell at Leicester Tigers Academy in 2012/13, where he was also able to show ability when representing the Tigers in the JP Morgan Sevens, he joined the Cornish Pirates in August, 2013.

Whilst with the Cornish Pirates, along with a number of other squad members, he will also attend Truro College to combine study and training as he looks to develop his sporting career.