Wales
Wales prop Adam Jones calls time on Test career
ESPN Staff
January 24, 2015
Adam Jones last appearance for Wales ended in defeat © Getty Images
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Wales prop Adam Jones has retired from international rugby after failing to make Warren Gatland's squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

Jones, 33, won 95 Wales caps, three Grand Slams and was also part of the two most recent British and Irish Lions tours, to South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013. Jones' last Wales appearance was in the 38-16 defeat by South Africa in the opening Test of their summer tour last year. His future as an international starter was cast in doubt after he was substituted for Samson Lee in the first half, having been put under intense pressure by the Springbok scrum, and was then left out of the squad for the autumn Tests.

A bona fide Welsh great

© Getty Images
  • And so after 13 years, with a wonderfully-penned feature and a customary press release, the international career of one of Wales' finest servants comes to an end. There was no long drawn out goodbye for Adam Jones, no chance to have a Brian O'Driscoll-esque fairytale finish, but instead he ducks out with minimal fanfare.
  • A Test career is inevitably surmised by numbers. His three Grand Slams, five Lions Test caps and 95 caps for Wales but in Jones' case it is just as much down to two others. 27 and 31. The first was how long he lasted back in 2003 before being substituted against England in the World Cup quarter-final. It was the nadir that made his Test career. The latter, 31, was the minute he was replaced against South Africa in the summer of 2014. It was the game that effectively signified the moment for Samson Lee to pass from the apprentice to the incumbent.
  • It is the first of these two numbers that deserved to be remembered when it comes to Jones, not for the experience in itself but the legacy it created.
  • Read the full feature here

"Playing for my country has been the proudest moment of my professional career," Jones said. "However, it is now time for me to step aside and let new talent run out in the red jersey of Wales. I am committed to my club Cardiff Blues and look forward to the rest of the season where we are targeting success in Europe and the Guinness Pro 12.

"As a child it was my dream to play rugby for Wales, the sport is almost a religion here and I am honoured to have played for my country and to have represented the British & Irish Lions. This year I promised myself that I would work as hard as possible and do everything within my power to get back into the Wales squad. Despite putting my all into this it has become apparent that it wasn't enough, I feel like I am more than just injury cover and have therefore decided to call it a day.

"It has been a tough week for me but the support from the Welsh fans has been overwhelming, just as it has ever since my first cap. I have loved every minute playing for Wales, the highs far outweighing the lows, and I am incredibly proud of what I've achieved and accomplished in the red jersey."

Jones will continue playing for PRO12 side Cardiff Blues, who he joined on a one-year contract when his deal at previous region Ospreys expired. Despite being overlooked by Gatland, Jones insisted he harbours no ill-feeling towards the Wales head coach.

"Warren is the man who came in and saved me, he gave me a kick up the [backside] so he's been a massive influence on me, and I'm very grateful," Jones told the Sunday Times. "I don't agree with what he's done now, I don't agree with him not picking me. But he's got to pick who he thinks is best."

Gatland wished Jones well for the future. "I want to thank Adam for his achievement in winning 95 caps for Wales and earning five test appearances for the British and Irish Lions," Gatland said. "There is no doubt that Adam has played a huge part in Wales' success. He has three Grand Slams and a Championship to his name. That is an unbelievable record. He made a big impact and contribution on the international stage and we all wish him well for his future career with the Cardiff Blues."

And as the tributes poured in for Jones, his old Ospreys team-mate Ryan Jones paid his own: "Playing alongside Bomb, as he is affectionately known, has been an honour and a privilege. During my captaincy and career he's been ever present and always one of the first names on the team sheet. He was feared, respected and liked by the opposition and a huge personality in the changing room. He has given everything to the sport of rugby and I wish him all the best at Blues as he continues his club career."

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