ADAM Jones will celebrate another milestone in his career this weekend.

The Powys based rugby official and sports development officer with Powys County Council, will take charge of his first Pro14 game when the Ospreys host the Dragons at the Liberty Stadium.

For Jones it marks the latest chapter in a story which began a decade ago.

Jones began his career as a referee 10 years ago at Gwernyfed Rugby Club.

From there he progressed to officiating junior games at Brecon and Gwernyfed to gain further experience.

In 2012 he made the step up to the senior game by officiating Garndiffaith IIs’ clash with Abersychan IIs.

Jones went onto the World 7s series in 2016 with the aim of going to the 2020 Olympics until this was postponed.

However Jones refereed at the Rugby 7s World Cup in San Francisco in 2018 and has been on the 7s circuit for four years, travelling to places such as Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Japan, Canada and the USA

Jones swiftly progressed through the ranks of Welsh rugby and in 2017 was added to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) elite list.

For the past four years Jones has served as assistant referee in Pro14 and Champions’ Cup fixtures.

Just before the beginning of the lockdown Jones made his final step and made a professional referee by the WRU after going on a secondment from his job as a sports development officer with Powys County Council.

Jones relished his next big milestone as he took charge of his first ever Pro14 match.

He said: “I am really looking forward to the game.

“It’s something I have been working towards for probably the last three years.

“I see it as an opportunity in my development to be involved as a referee in the Pro14, especially a Welsh derby that always adds an extra edge to the game.

“It will be strange with no crowds at the game but I am sure there will be a lot more scrutiny from the people watching the game on television.”

Jones said the current ban on supporters at game had only added public interest in all sports, including Wales.

He said: “With no rugby happening in Wales for so long everyone seems to be really excited and looking forward to seeing some rugby back on the TV.

“This week seems to have gone up a notch in terms of people looking forward to watching some live Welsh rugby on television.”

The match takes place on Sunday at 2.15pm.