After more than a decade with Sale Sharks hooker Marc Jones has left the club to join the Scarlets ahead of the PRO14 season.
The experienced 31-year-old now provides competition for Wales internationals Ken Owens and Ryan Elias, after a total of 13 years at the Premiership side.
As the Pontypridd-born front row moves with his family to Wales on a three-year deal, Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond alluded to a possible return for Jones in a coaching capacity in the future.
“Marc has been a Sale lad through and through. He had a two-year excursion to Bristol but he came back home.
“He has an opportunity to play for Scarlets on a three-year deal. We decided it was best for all concerned and we wish him well.
“After his career, if he finds himself in Manchester, there’ll always be an opportunity for him.”
Echoing a similar theme, Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac welcomed Jones being able to mentor emerging hookers Taylor Davies and Dafydd Hughes.
“We have two international hookers in Ken and Ryan and two very exciting prospects in Taylor and Daf. Marc is a very experienced player who will challenge our international hookers in Ken and Ryan but will also be an important asset to us during the international windows.
Marc Jones added: “This opportunity to join the Scarlets is one that I’m particularly excited by and can’t wait to get started this week. I was born and bred in Wales and have always harboured ambitions of playing my rugby at home.
“I’m extremely proud to have represented Sale Sharks for the best part of a decade but this new opportunity is one that I’m looking forward to and we’re excited by as a family.
“The Scarlets have led the way in recent seasons and I’m looking forward to playing part in the seasons to come.”