Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones delays retirement after signing for French club
Alun Wyn Jones for the Ospreys in 2023.
Rugby’s world record Test cap holder Alun Wyn Jones will continue his career next season after agreeing a short-term contract with French outfit Toulon.
The 37-year-old shocked the game by announcing his immediate retirement from international rugby in May.
Jones had been named in Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad but decided to pull out, forgoing the chance of appearing in a fifth global tournament.
Continuing his club career
There were doubts raised whether the second-row would even stay in the club game and instead hang up his boots completely.
He had signalled his intent to continue but revealed that it would not be at the Ospreys, the only team he played for during his professional career.
That left him without a club going into the 2023/24 campaign, but Toulon have come calling as they searched for cover during the World Cup.
Jones’ contract spans that tournament in France, although his future beyond that remains uncertain.
“We are delighted and honoured to welcome a legendary player like Alun Wyn Jones to Toulon. His career demonstrates the immense talent of this player,” Toulon director of rugby Pierre Mignoni said.
“His experience, his mental and physical strength as well as his exemplarity will bring to the locker room and to his teammates.”
Incredible career
The lock made his debut for the Ospreys in 2005 and it wasn’t long before he was pulling on a Wales shirt.
Between 2006 and 2023, he earned 158 caps for the national team, surpassing Richie McCaw’s world record of 148.
Jones also played 12 times for the British and Irish Lions, taking his tally up to an outstanding 170.
He was part of the winning series in Australia before starting every Test in the 1-1 draw with New Zealand in 2017, and in 2021 he captained the Lions during their 2-1 series defeat to South Africa.
For Wales, the 37-year-old claimed five Six Nations titles, which included three Grand Slams and four Triples Crowns.
READ MORE: Alun Wyn Jones: Wales great calls time on his illustrious career before the Rugby World Cup