Alun Wyn Jones, the former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain and the world’s most capped player of all time, has announced his international retirement, drawing an end to one of the most storied Test careers in the sport’s history.
Jones announced his decision on Friday, saying that, at 37 and with 170 international caps to his name, he was “stepping away”. With the flanker Justin Tipuric also announcing his international retirement, Warren Gatland has been dealt a huge double blow before Wales’s World Cup campaign.
Both players had been named this month in Gatland’s preliminary 54-man squad for the World Cup but have now ruled themselves out of contention for the tournament in France this year. Between them they have 251 caps for Wales but will not add to those won during a dismal Six Nations campaign that featured the threat of strike action for the England fixture.
Jones, who made his Test debut in Argentina in 2006, will go down as the finest player to wear the Welsh jersey in the professional era, having attended four World Cups, won five Six Nations titles and three grand slams. His durability for Wales has been nothing short of remarkable, featuring an astonishing sequence of 23 consecutive starts against England.
For the Lions he was equally totemic. He made 12 Test appearances and 10 starts across four tours – his first and last coming against South Africa. Two years ago he suffered a dislocated shoulder in a warmup match against Japan but made a scarcely believable recovery to captain the tourists in all three Tests against the Springboks. Though that series ended in defeat, Jones had the honour of captaining the Lions to victory in the 2013 series decider against Australia.
“Having been selected in this year’s preliminary Rugby World Cup squad and after ongoing dialogue with the coaching staff and the WRU, I have decided to step away from the international game,” Jones wrote on social media. “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 particularly Bonymaen who guided me in my favourite years, was beyond special and something for which I am 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.”
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His Ospreys teammate Tipuric, meanwhile, also calls it a day for Wales. The 33-year-old had developed a reputation as one of the most skilful openside flankers in the game and falls only seven caps short of a century for Wales, despite competing with the former captain Sam Warburton for much of his career. He also made one Test appearance for the Lions, coming off the bench in the 2013 decider against the Wallabies.
“During the off-season I’ve had time to reflect on my playing career and now seems the right time to step away from international rugby,” Tipuric said. “It’s been a privilege to put on the Welsh jersey and have so many great memories.
“I’d like to thank all the players and coaches I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years and the wonderful support I’ve received from the Welsh public. I’m looking forward to spending more time at home and putting all my energies into playing for my home region, the Ospreys.”