Rugby’s most-capped Test player of all time bows out

One of rugby’s all-time great Test players has called time on his international career less than four months from the World Cup.

Legendary lock Alun Wyn Jones has confirmed his retirement from international rugby after a record-breaking Test career for Wales and the British & Irish Lions.

Jones leaves the game as the most-capped Test player in rugby history with 170 appearances on the big stage, having represented Wales 158 times and the British & Irish Lions 12 times and captaining both sides in an international career spanning 18 years.

He made his senior Wales debut on tour against Argentina in 2006 with Dragons’ Six Nations finale against France in Paris earlier this year being his final game in the red jersey.

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ALUN WYN JONES’ RETIREMENT STATEMENT:

Commenting on his sudden retirement, Wyn Jones said he will look back on his career fondly.

“Having been selected in this year’s preliminary Rugby World Cup squad and after ongoing dialogue with the coaching staff and the WRU, I’ve decided to step away from the international game.

“So, after 17 years I look back on special memories with Welsh greats and future Welsh greats. My grandfather and father both nurtured my passion for rugby in my younger days which has continued throughout.

“The opportunity to be professional in the sport I love was a dream come true and to represent my home region, the Ospreys, and clubs within the region, namely Mumbles and Bonymaen, who guided me in my formative years, was beyond special and something for which I’m hugely grateful.

“A huge thank you to the staff and players who have been part of my journey, I wish you all well for the future.

“To the supporters, thank you for the support and making the most special occasions even more memorable.

“To the people closest to me, my family, I couldn’t have done it without you. Through injury, loss and success you’ve always been there and will be for whatever’s next. Despite all I have accomplished, my children will always be my biggest achievement. Diolch.”

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OVERVIEW OF JONES’ ILLUSTRIOUS TEST CAREER

Jones leaves the game as the most capped Test player in rugby history, having represented Wales 158 times and the British & Irish Lions 12 times captaining both sides in an international career spanning 18 years.

He made his senior Wales debut on tour against Argentina in 2006 with Wales’ Guinness Six Nations finale against France in Paris earlier this year being his final game in the red jersey.

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He became the 129th captain of the Wales senior men’s team, when he led the side against Italy in the Six Nations in 2009, and went on to captain his country 48 times in his illustrious international career.

A law graduate from Swansea University, he became the fifth Welsh player to reach a century of caps for his country. He reached three figures in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland in 2016.

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Jones was selected for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He started in two of the three Tests and was a replacement in the other international against the Springboks.

He played in all three Tests in the 2013 tour to Australia, captaining the side in the absence of Sam Warburton in the decisive third and final Test in Sydney that saw the Lions win their first series in 16 years.

He then toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2017 and once again played in all three internationals in the drawn series against the World champions. He was named tour captain for the 2021 series to South Africa and captained the side in all three Tests after an incredible recovery from a shoulder injury sustained in a warm up match against Japan.

He is one of a small number of Lions players to have won a Test match in each of the three major southern hemisphere nations.

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