Jones starts building his future after rugby (From Worcester News)

Jones starts building his future after rugby

1:00pm Friday 4th January 2013 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

IF you look through the Worcester Warriors squad list you will find a de Carpentier, but it is lock forward Chris Jones who fancies himself as a real-life chippy.

The former England international admits he likes to unwind after a punishing days training by picking up his tools and setting to work on various carpentry jobs around his new home.

The 32-year-old second row, who moved to Sixways from Sale Sharks in March 2011, is combining Aviva Premiership shifts in the Warriors boiler room with even more toil on the extension to his house.

Jones explained: “I bought a house six months ago and I’m currently developing it. I’m doing a lot of carpentry and manual work and I really enjoy it.

“After I get back from training I get my tools out and start building staircases, which is actually really fun.

“I’ve done houses up in the past — it’s good to have something outside of rugby to get involved in so you can completely switch yourself off.”

While Jones admits a career in property renovation could be in store when he finally hangs up his boots, the versatile forward also has other, more unlikely irons in the fire.

“I’m looking to get involved in an osteopathy course,” he revealed.

“It is really tough because of the commitment you need — it’s an intense course.

“I give some thought to life after rugby. I’d love to be an osteopath at a rugby club but clubs don’t employ them full-time so I may have to start at a clinic.”

Despite his forward planning, Jones is quick to point out he has no plans to step away from the coal face of professional rugby just yet.

He said: “I look around the leagues and see players who are a lot older than me.

“Craig Gillies (36) is in phenomenal shape and playing some of the best rugby he’s played.

“Simon Shaw at Toulon is 39 and still going strong.

“The fact that I’m a lock also helps as experience is just as important as youth. As long as you look after yourself, there’s no reason to stop playing and I feel like I’ve got a fair few years of rugby to look forward to.”

Jones has enjoyed working with Warriors forwards coach Nigel Redman and admits he sees similarities between him and World Cup-winning England coach Sir Clive Woodward.

He said: “My first England game was in the first match after they won the World Cup and I had the honour of playing with some great players.

“Most of them have retired now but they were great players to learn from. I was a young lad coming through and it took hold of me pretty quickly.

“Before I knew it I was playing for my country and looking around at faces who had just won the World Cup.

“Sir Clive pushed you to your limits and got the results. He was very clinical and there are lots of similarities between him and Nigel.”