BOURNEMOUTH boss Will Croker believes the influence of former Wales international Adam Jones proved pivotal in Joe Tarrant's surprise move to Championship Richmond.

Prop Jones, who won 95 caps for Wales and also featured for the British & Irish Lions, encountered fellow front-rower Tarrant during an A League match between London Irish and Harlequins in December last year.

Impressed by what he saw of the combative Lions forward, Jones is now working as a scrum coach at Richmond alongside his playing commitments for Quins.

And Croker feels it is no accident Tarrant has ended up at the Athletic Ground, where on Saturday he made his debut, coming on as a second-half replacement in a 68-19 defeat to Leinster A in the British & Irish Cup.

Croker told the Daily Echo: "London Irish had approached us about releasing Joe to play in the A League again.

"They had nothing but good things to say about his performances for them last season, one of which was against Harlequins, who had Adam Jones in their team. He sought Joe out after the game to tell him how well he had done.

"Adam is now doing some work as a scrum coach at Richmond so I don't think it's a huge coincidence what has happened."

Tarrant caught the eye last week when he scored a try in Richmond second string's 33-25 friendly win over Cambridge University, completing his move some 48 hours later.

A contracts manager for Meridian Electrical Contracting in Christchurch, Tarrant had previously made a string of appearances for the A side at Irish, a club with which Lions have forged a profitable link.

Croker added: "Richmond have been struggling in the league and were looking to front-rowers because once you get into the depths of winter in the Championship, that's where games are won.

"You scrummage like mad and have a good goal-kicker who can kick you some points when you get penalties.

"It's great news for Joe and great news for us. Level Five is a very good standard, there is no getting away from that. It's one of the highest standards on the south coast.

"But by the same token, in the pyramid, it's very much middle of the road. Our responsibility is to try and make Bournemouth as successful as we can but also to give players the best possible opportunity to play rugby at the highest possible level.

"For guys who are late bloomers and have missed out on the academy system, there is always the question of how you get into the pro game when academies are churning out 10 players a season.

"For us to be able to offer A League rugby via London Irish, as well as our connections with well-regarded clubs, sets us apart.

"Anybody who is aspirational and wants to push themselves, from Worthing to Exeter, we are the only club which can give them that opportunity."