Lively Alun Wyn Jones not done yet and eager to be a ‘success’ at Toulon

Rugby union’s all-time record cap holder Alun Wyn Jones revealed his pride at joining Toulon and then insisted that he is not done just yet.

The Wales legend recently signed for the French outfit as short-term Rugby World Cup cover having left the Ospreys at the end of the campaign.

Jones also surprisingly retired from international rugby in May just a few months out from the global tournament.

That raised concerns that the second-row would be hanging up his boots for good but Toulon came calling and the 37-year-old is excited by the chance to represent the French giants.

Planets aligned

“It’s great to be here, to finally get out here. I have the opportunity to come to Toulon and pull on this famous jersey and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I have been very fortunate to play for a long time all over the world with a lot of great players.

“I still want to play rugby and the opportunity particularly to do that in Toulon with a hungry group of players who want to build on the success of last year.

“With a lot of players away at the Rugby World Cup, I felt it was in many ways the right timing. The planets aligned for me to do this now having played for as long as I had.

“Having spoken to them in a couple of meetings, they were aware of the players who would be away. Hopefully, I can bring a bit of experience to add to the group and build on the foundation of the success they had last year.”

Although Jones is winding down his career, the second-row is still desperate to make an impact and wants to help his new club as much as he can.

“As it stands, I’m here on a short-term contract until the end of November but hopefully I can make enough of a mark to build on last year’s success and build the foundation for the players to come back after a successful World Cup,” he said.

“Hopefully I can respond in my performances and show what the game means to me. You see the players that have gone before you and what they have achieved, so I have got to earn the respect of players, coaches and particularly supporters.

“I’m hugely aware of the Welsh players who have been here and had success with Toulon. Gethin Jenkins, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb was here as well, even Eifion Lewis-Roberts. There is a strong theme of Welsh players who have been here.

“I haven’t had an opportunity to speak to Dan (Biggar) yet because I think he is in the Swiss Alps somewhere being beasted by Warren (Gatland), but hopefully he won’t be cursing me too much and we put the team in good stead for when he comes back from the World Cup.”

Aims and ambitions

Asked what his short-term aims are, Jones said: “To get up to speed as quick as I can, to improve my language, and ultimately get into the groove as quick as I can, rugby and within the group.

“Things have happened pretty quickly for me and sometimes that is a good thing. You don’t have time to think and just get on with it.

“One thing I am hopeful of is rugby is a universal language and ultimately a lot of things don’t change and hopefully I can show what it means to be here.

“There is expectation; you see the way the fans support Toulon. If I can answer some of those questions about why I am here, what I have done and what I can do I will be doing the right thing.

“Also, know a bit of the history of Felix Mayol, it is important and hopefully I can add in a very small way to the history.”

READ MORE: Josh Adams looking to emulate Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana at the Rugby World Cup