1
Alun Wyn Jones plays for both teams as the Barbarians beat Swansea
By PA
Wales great Alun Wyn Jones returned to the scene where his stellar world record-breaking career began by playing for both teams as the Barbarians beat Swansea 68-33 at St Helen’s.
Jones announced his retirement from international rugby earlier this month after making a world record 170 Test match appearances for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
The former Wales captain skippered the Barbarians to victory against a World XV at Twickenham on Sunday. And in glorious sunshine at the ground where it all started as a Swansea player in 2004, a bumper crowd of more than 6,200 – the All Whites’ largest home attendance for many years – paid homage.
Jones has yet to declare whether or not he will play on next season, but at 37, if this was his farewell then he could have hardly hoped for a more fitting script.
He played the first half in Baa-Baas’ black and white, before leading Swansea out for the second period in the All Whites’ 150th anniversary year.
Jones, wearing the black and red socks of Bonymaen Rugby Club – his youth rugby team – oversaw an impressive opening as the Barbarians ran in converted tries from Olly Robinson, Steve Shingler and Taichi Takahashi. Jones was joined in the Barbarians team by the likes of Wales flanker Dan Lydiate and former England centre Billy Twelvetrees.
And Jones’ second-row partner – former Wales forward and ex-Cardiff, Wasps and Ospreys lock Bradley Davies – made his final appearance before retirement.
Davies, who kicked a second-half conversion, even had time to punch the air before binding down for a scrum when it was announced that the outdoor bars would remain open until 10pm!
Acknowledging Jones’ achievements ahead of kick-off, Barbarians coach John Mulvihill said: “It was really nice to spend a few hours with him Tuesday and really get to know him.
“We have spoken to each other a number of times, but to sit down and have a coffee and a beer it was really nice to see what he has done and what rugby means to him. It is awesome.
“He has done everything in the game for Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Seventeen years as a professional Test player.”
The Barbarians first visited St Helen’s in 1901, with their Easter tour becoming a popular part of the rugby calendar as they also took on Penarth, Cardiff and Newport between Good Friday and the day after Easter Monday.
But they had not played Swansea since 1994, giving added impetus to what was a true festival occasion as Jones received fitting acclaim and finished the game back as the Baa-Baas’ number five as his team scored 10 tries.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Four England talking points after their Six Nations rout of Wales
3
What Steve Borthwick told Matt Sherratt following Wales debacle
4
England player ratings vs Wales | 2025 Six Nations
5
Latest Comments
My name is Amelia Jonathan from the United States, Using this opportunity to thank Dr. Ughulu is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Ughulu who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Ughulu and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr Ughulu I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Dr. Ughulu Via: drughulupowerfulspelltemple@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. TEXT OR CALL: +1(252) 409-1841 or website: https://drughulupowerfulsp.wixsite.com/my-site-ughulu WHATSAPP NUMBER: +1(720) 794-2516
Go to commentsI’d take the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, and Lions back in a second. Super Rugby Pacific is improving and the conference system sucked ass and never should have been implemented but if you think the quality of rugby is better without the South African franchises, you are kidding yourself.
And there is nothing authentic about Moana Pacifika, it is a sixth NZ franchise. Almost all of the players are NZ citizens, born and raised in NZ, were developed by NZ secondary schools and play in the NPC. The players just happen to be of Pacific heritage (just as there are a very large number of Pacific heritage players on the original five NZ franchises). Moana Pacifika is a marketing ploy for Auckland’s second SRP franchise.
Fiji Drua are legitimately a Pacific island team. Most players are born in Fiji, the players live and train in Fiji, and they play their home matches in Fiji.
Go to comments