Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Alun Wyn Jones to play for hometown club once more as coach expects him to carry on

Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones is set to pull on the Swansea jersey once again as the Barbarians take on his hometown club at St Helen's on Wednesday.

The talismanic lock started his career at the Whites and will now lead a Baa-Baas side against them as they celebrate their 150th anniversary season.

However, in a match that has taken on perhaps more significance than before Jones announced his shock international retirement ahead of this year's World Cup in France, Jones is also expected to turn out for the club that he once played for nearly two decades ago.

SIGN UP: Get the latest exclusive stories and breaking rugby headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter.

While he'll start for the Barbarians, Baa-Baas coach John Mulvihill confirmed that he'll likely switch at the break.

"He's massive, people around the world know who Al is," said former Cardiff coach Mulvihill.

"It was really nice to spend a few hours with him yesterday and really get to know him. We've walked past each other at the Vale and spoken to each other a number of times but to sit down and have a coffee and a beer, it's really nice to see what he's done and what rugby means to him, it's awesome.

"After 17 years, he got his first Barbarians call-up and he's got his second one tomorrow. You'll probably see him in an All Whites jersey in the second-half, he might lead the Swansea team out at half-time."

Mulvihill also added that he didn't think this would be Jones' farewell game.

Having decided to call time on his Wales career despite the prospect of a fifth World Cup later this year, the future of Test rugby's most-capped player is uncertain.

His deal with the Ospreys ends later this year, with it expected that his time in Swansea is done. The question now is whether there's a deal elsewhere for the 37-year-old.

"I was still taken aback that he wanted to play. He said 'it's in my parish and I want to play against my team'.

"It means a lot to him. I don't think it's going to be his sign off, he's got a few miles to go yet.

"He's done everything in the game for Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Seventeen years as a professional Test player."

Read next:

Today's rugby news as Johnny Sexton exit announced and top club face expulsion within hours

Wales rugby player Taulupe Faletau and wife Charlotte announce birth of son with intimate video

Welsh rugby's most pressing issues to fix right now as WRU prepare for major overhaul

Test man stabbed with dad shot during alleged robbery and ex-Scarlets boss gets World Cup job

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.