ADAM Jones has given Welsh rugby a huge lift by signing a new deal with the Ospreys.

The Welsh tight-head has signed a two-year deal with the region.

And in doing so he has bucked the trend of leaving players leaving Welsh rugby in high-profile — and big-money — moves to France.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Jones had attracted interest from both France and England.

But this deal will keep him at the Liberty until the summer of 2014.

He said: "This is where I always wanted to be next season and now it's all done I just want to get on with the job, which is to help the Ospreys be the best we can be.

"As part of the contract discussions we spoke at length about the direction the Ospreys are taking, with the changes that are taking place, and I'm genuinely excited about the future, for the region and for myself personally.

"I can understand that fans may be frustrated at the moment but I genuinely think we are going in the right way.

"It's important that we have everyone going in one direction together, with everybody — youngsters and older players alike — understanding that we're in this as a team.

"I've been a part of the region for a long time, first at Neath and then with the Ospreys, and although I've done a lot of things, there is still plenty I want to achieve with the Ospreys.

"I'm still ambitious, as are the Ospreys, and I'm excited about what we could achieve together over the coming seasons."

Keeping Jones, regarded as one of the best props in world rugby, at the Liberty was the main priority for the Ospreys before the summer.

Losing him would have been a hammer blow alongside the imminent retirement of Shane Williams, with doubts still surrounding the future of fellow Lions wing Tommy Bowe. Chief operations officer Andrew Hore hailed the news as a positive sign of intent. He said: "Adam has been, and continues to be, a fantastic servant for the Ospreys.

"As you would imagine given his status as one of the leading tight-heads in world rugby, there was considerable interest in his services, but the fact that we have been able to keep hold of him is a huge positive for the region.

"It's important that we keep hold of individuals who want to take us forward as a region, who display the right values and characteristics to help us achieve that, demand the highest standards of both themselves and their colleagues, and have a desire to succeed.

"Adam certainly fits the bill on all those scores.

"He epitomises everything that we stand for. As a home-grown player proud to represent his region, who has been developed from within to become such a fine ambassador for the game, he is an excellent role model to the younger players in the group.

"This is great news."