Stephen Jones to hang up the boots

After weeks of speculations about his future, Stephen Jones has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.

The legendary Welsh fly-half will not see out his two-year contract at London Wasps but will join Dai Young’s coaching team from next season.

In his illustrious career which saw him wear the Scarlets and Clermont jersey before Wasps, Jones earned 104 caps to became the most-capped player ever for the Red Devils and toured twice with the Brittish and Irish Lions in 2005 and 2009 featuring in six Tests.

Since his move to Adams Park last summer, Jones made 11 appearances for the Men in Black.

He said: “I feel incredibly lucky to have played for some fantastic sides down through the years and I feel the time is right for me now to make the transition into coaching, which is what I have always wanted to do.

“There is an opportunity for me to do that at London Wasps and I am very excited about the next step of my career.

“I want to say a huge thanks to everyone at the Scarlets, Clermont Auvergne and London Wasps – and I feel grateful to have worn three fantastic professional club shirts in my career.

“I also feel honoured to have pulled on the Wales and British and Irish Lions shirts and I appreciate everyone involved in those sides as well as the supporters who have been there and backed me throughout my playing days. I am taking with me some incredible memories and experiences.”

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “I always thought Stephen would make an excellent coach and everything I have seen of him this season backs that up.

“It is sad to see him retire but what we are losing on the field we are gaining off it. I have always admired Stephen’s tactical nous and I think he will be an excellent member of our coaching team.

“In the meantime we have some massive games coming up and Stephen is going to play a big part as a player in the coming months.”

Tagged London Wasps, Scarlets, Stephen Jones, Wales