RGC head coach Mark Jones has dropped a bombshell by announcing his departure from the club.

In a statement released on the Gogs’ website on Sunday, May 19, with the former Llanelli standout signing off with an emphatic victory on home soil against Principality Premiership runners-up Cardiff.

Jones has been at the helm for the last three seasons and has established them as a top flight force during that time, in addition to securing a memorable WRU National Cup triumph for the first time in the club’s history.

He said: “I want to thank everyone involved at RGC for giving me the opportunity to coach the team.

“My remit was to keep the team in the Principality Premiership and as well as look at the performance development of the players.

“My biggest achievement is seeing the opportunities created for the players; professional contracts, B&I Cup appearances and the number of youngsters that have worn the jersey for RGC especially this season.

“North Wales is unique and has it's challenges. Along with Phil John we have worked hard to bring that semi-professional coaching with players who are students, work full time and work shifts and to balance that with training, games and the amount of travelling on away trips has been a fine balance.

“When you add in the Age Grade aspect as well then have had to creative in how we achieved this, which is a credit to Josh Leach and Gaz Whittaker and how we have put it all in place.”

Jones’ side have been largely inconsistent for the majority of the campaign, but showed their quality against the Premiership’s top two in their final matches of the season.

The departing coach reserved special praise for the Gogs’ loyal fan base, and he is confident the set-up can build on their recent achievements in his absence.

“The big thing in North Wales is that the team up here just get on with it, even if it isn’t under their remit,” added Jones.

“The supporters have been superb to me, and stood by me with every win or defeat and they have played a huge part in what we have achieved.

“There is a thirst for rugby in North Wales, and we have had the highest average attendances in the league and took big numbers to the Principality Stadium for our Cup win.

“More people are playing the game, and the clubs are doing a great job in providing that pathway for the Academy, so I would also like to thank the work of the community team across the region.”