ROBERT JONES

Robert Jones was born in Trebanos on 10 November, 1965 and educated at Cwmtawe Comprehensive School. He won a Grand Slam with the Wales Schools U18 team before joining his home team club of Swansea, for who he played 290 times. He captained the Whites, won league and cup honours with them and was also in the side that beat the then world champion Wallabies at St Helen’s in 1992. He later moved to play for Cardiff and then Bristol. He also captained Bristol and even spent time playing for Western Province in South Africa.

He won 54 caps at scrum half for Wales, one more even than the great Sir Gareth Edwards, and played at three World Cups. In the inaugural tournament in 1987 he scored a try in the quarter final win over England as he helped Wales to finish third overall. He was a Triple Crown winner with Wales in 1988 and went on two tours with the British & Irish Lions. He was the test scrum half in the 2-1 series win in Australia in 1989 and was back up to Dewi Morris in New Zealand in 1993. He also made 11 appearances for the Barbarians and captained them to wins against Argentina in 1990 and South Africa in 1994.

Recognised throughout the rugby playing world in his day as one of the quickest passers of the ball and most accurate of box kickers, he was a world class operator in an often mediocre Welsh side.

He retired from international rugby after the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, and from all rugby in 2001. He was appointed MBE in the 1996 New Year Honours.