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Sale Sharks lock Jonathan Mills is headed to Dallas. After making headlines by signing Mike Ford as Director of Rugby, the Griffins have snapped up Mills in a player-coach capacity. The 33-year-old arrives fresh from a five-year stay in the Aviva Premiership, the first year with London Welsh and the last four with Sale.
An age-grade international for Wales through to the u21 level, Mills boasts more than a decade’s worth of professional experience having come up through Welsh clubs Llandovery and Llanelli and then the Scarlets in the Celtic League (now Pro 14). He also made two appearances for the prestigious Barbarians invitational side in 2007.
After starting his career primarily as a loose forward, his large 1.96m (6’5″) frame saw him shifted permanently to the second row in his sixth and final year at London Welsh, his first in the Premiership after captaining the side to the RFU Championship and promotion in the 2011-12 season. Mills will be expected to play a key role for the club both on and off the field.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Dallas Griffins for the inaugural Major League Rugby season in 2018. I believe the potential for rugby union in Dallas and the USA is huge and to be a part of it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I’m looking forward to working with Mike on the coaching front and to continue my coaching development whilst still playing rugby at a high level will be invaluable to me.”
Griffins CEO Phil Camm says Mills will be arriving in January following a short-term stay in a similar player-coach role with London Scottish in the RFU Championship.
“We won’t be assembling our new squad until January so we have a little time yet. We have signed a few players and are putting the rest of what’s needed in place ahead of 2018 but there’s no rush so the chance for Jon to work with such a great club like Scottish in the meantime is a fantastic opportunity for him.”
