Legendary Welsh prop Adam Jones announces retirement
Legendary Welsh prop Adam Jones will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season it has been revealed by both the player and by Harlequins.
The British and Irish Lion, and four time Six Nations winner with Wales, has been appointed as Assistant Forwards Coach at The Stoop and will work alongside Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree.
Jones, who made 30 appearances for Harlequins, said “I’ll be officially retiring from playing at the end of the season. I’ve had a great career and never thought I’d go on to achieve what I have. I'm so passionately proud to have played so many times for Wales and was fortunate to be a part of three Grand Slam-winning teams.
“But it’s time to move onto the next chapter of my career and concentrate on coaching. Coaching is a route I have always wanted to go down, so this is an opportunity for me to work with and learn from two of the best in John Kingston and Graham Rowntree.
“We potentially have the best group of props in the Premiership at Harlequins, with England props Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler and Will Collier, plus the up-and-coming Lewis Boyce. So I hope to be able to help them push on with Harlequins and at International level.”
With three Grand Slam titles to his name, the Abercrave-born tight head competed in three Rugby World Cups, winning 95 caps for his country between 2003 and 2014, and toured with the British and Irish Lions on two occasions; first in 2009 and then on the victorious 2013 tour to Australia.
“Adam’s formal retirement from playing clearly marks the end of a wonderful onfield career in rugby at the very highest level,” commented Director of Rugby John Kingston.
“He has effectively been coaching over the last three seasons – at first in part whilst playing and more recently almost exclusively.
“His knowledge of the scrum dynamics is second to none with his experience and he has been a massive influence on our front row players, young and experienced alike. His relationship with Graham Rowntree is a very strong one and I am absolutely delighted that he has chosen to accept the position of Assistant Forwards Coach at Harlequins.
“His influence within the club extends far beyond just on field as his outstanding interpersonal skills mean he offers so much to the wider environment within the organisation.”
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It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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