Jones returns to Principality Premiership Roots

Adam Jones Profile

Born in Abercrave, Adam Jones has spent the past decade starring for the Ospreys and Wales, often alongside his fellow “Hair Bair” Duncan Jones, so called for their recognisable hair-dos, although they are not related.

He originally appeared for Neath, whom Jones thinks gave him a good grounding in the game as the Principality Premiership provides players with a "shop window" to impress the Welsh set-up.

Then, 2003 proved significant for Jones for as well as the Ospreys, he also made his Wales debut against England in that year’s Six Nations campaign. He appeared in all that years’ World Cup games, but at the time, due to fears over his fitness, he would only usually play the first half.

He is also part of a select band of Welsh rugby stars who have managed to get their hands on three Grand Slams, the others being Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Edwards, Ryan Jones, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams.

He has also appeared in two further World Cups for his country, 2007 and 2011, playing a pivotal role in Wales’ charge to the semi-finals in the latter where they narrowly lost to France in a contentious encounter. Unfortunately, Jones was forced off within 10 minutes with a calf injury.

He was also part of the British Lions’ tour to South Africa in 2009, coming on in the first Test and forming part of the first all-Welsh front row since 1955 in the second. He suffered a dislocated shoulder during an illegal challenge by Bakkies Botha at a ruck which kept him out of the third Test.

Regional level has also been fruitful for the 32-year-old, as the Ospreys have won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup in their existence, as well as being a runner-up in the latter competition on another occasion.

Altogether, he has amassed 182 appearances for Ospreys, scoring three tries, as well as 86 caps for Wales and two for the Lions.