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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The forgotten Wales and Lions star ready to spark back into life with new challenge
The forgotten Wales and Lions star ready to spark back into life with new challenge The Wales prop will be a key figure for the Dragons this season Wyn Jones (C) is at the Dragons this season (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency) The 2024/25 season was one to forget for the Dragons, but there are credible reasons to believe the Welsh club will be significantly more competitive this time around. There were a significant number of areas in need of fixing but none more important than the front five. Head coach Filo Tiatia and his support staff took great care to identify the right players not only to improve the club's on-field performance but to strengthen the culture. One of these players is former Wales prop Wyn Jones, who will be crucial to the club's chances of competing this season. The former Scarlets star returns to Welsh rugby after a season at English giants Harlequins. Jones will combine playing rugby with working at his farm back home in Llandovery while he and his wife have recently welcomed their first son, Lewis Wyn, into the world. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "As you get older and you know your transition out of the game is getting closer," Jones tells WalesOnline. "For me it was about coming home. Article continues below "We've just had our first baby, so it was nice to be able to live at home and play rugby while having family and home comforts around us. "That was best for me and the family. I help out a lot with my parents and keep an eye on the farm back home. "With the little one being born it's nice to be closer to the family. "When you are younger you never think about life after retirement, but when you cross 30 you think okay I'm probably getting closer to the end. "You have a different outlook once you get over the 30 mark and you have to look at the future as well." Back on Jones' farm in Llandovery his family has around 400 acres of land which comprises 100 cattle. "I'll probably go back to the farm and take that over," Jones tells WalesOnline when asked what he'll do when he eventually retires. "I'll be trying to keep my hand in there while still playing rugby. "Rugby still comes first as it always does but when I was in London it was more difficult to keep my eyes on things and keep my hand in more than it is now. "I literally do anything on the farm. "If I'm tired and need a day off it will be lighter duties if anything at all and some days when I'm tired after training if there's jobs that need doing I'll help out. "It could be anything from cattle work to sheep work to tractor work. There's a range of different things all depending on the time of year really. I think it gives me a good balance. "If you have a bad day in training you can go out and do something on the farm and completely switch off. On days off it helps me switch off from rugby. "That's probably been the key for me having something else to focus on when you've had a good day in rugby or won a grand slam, there's always something that's gone wrong on the farm to bring you back down to earth - or vice versa. "It kind of brings you back down to earth. Rugby will come first whatever happens and that's always been the case or it never would have worked." But as Jones says rugby comes first and he will undoubtedly play a key role for the Dragons this season. The 48-cap Wales international who toured with the British & Irish Lions to South Africa in 2021 will bring a hard edge and scrummaging prowess to the Dragons front-row. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "I'll bring a bit of experience," Jones tells WalesOnline. "They've got a young squad here. "They've brought in the likes of myself, Dillon (Lewis), Thomas Young, Seb (Davies) and Levi (Douglas). "Last season they were winning games at 60 minutes and then it slipped away from them. "It's just adding that little bit of experience and trying to get those games over the line to get more wins under our belt. "A lot of recruitment has been done in the front five and the pack especially." Tiatia's side recorded only two wins last season but they should expect a better return this time around after an aggressive recruitment drive. The likes of Jones, Young and Lewis, among others, will be tasked with improving the competitiveness of the Dragons pack, while they will also complement some of the club's bright young talent in the shape of Jordan Morris, Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Nick Thomas, among others. "A lot of recruitment has been done in the front five and the pack especially," he said. "I've been very impressed with the young boys coming through. "You've got Dylan and Jordan, two young looseheads who have been training really well. I've been really impressed with those two. "They've got plenty of questions to ask which is great and hopefully I can help them along as well. "I've also been impressed with Brodie, the hooker. "There's a lot of good young youngsters here but they need a few years to get some more game time under their belts and some more time in the environment. "It's looking very positive and I truly believe we can be competitive this year." Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Times are tough in Welsh rugby at the moment with the Welsh Rugby Union working behind the scenes to put a new structure in place for the professional game. A reduction of professional clubs is a possibility but Jones insists what goes on in the boardroom will not affect the team's performance this season. "It was refreshing going to England and not having to go to crisis meetings!," joked Jones. "It's above our pay grade. We turn up and do our professional job as best as we can. "We just leave people above us to sort it out. It's probably been going on for too long I'll be honest and it needs to get sorted out sooner rather than later. "It's above my pay grade so I'll just leave them to it. There has been a lot of change at the Dragons this year. "I've been very impressed with the training facilities, the staff and everything around the place having been at the Scarlets for years and knowing where the other regions train. "This is by far the best training facility and everything is here. We can't use that as an excuse. It's very positive here. "I think the coaches are really good and I really think we can take strides forward." Article continues below Jones played a straight bat when asked about the prospect of a Wales recall, but if he can help turn the Dragons pack around a phone call from Steve Tandy is not out of the question.
BBC News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Prop duo eye Wales recalls after joining Dragons
If Wales boss Steve Tandy wants to add some experience to his new-look side this autumn then he could turn to a pair of Dragons props who have been out in the international Wyn Jones and tight-head Dillon Lewis are back in the United Rugby Championship (URC) after moving to Rodney Parade from responded to finishing bottom of the table last season with a huge recruitment drive, and the pair of Welsh front rowers bring Test quality to the years ago Jones was part of the British and Irish Lions line-up going toe-to-toe with South Africa, while Lewis has a half-century of Wales caps and played at the last two World Cups. The Dragons new boys were not involved at the end of Warren Gatland's second spell as Wales head coach or during Matt Sherratt's time as caretaker boss but remain options for Tandy."There was natural frustration around Wales selection," admitted Lewis, who toured Australia in 2024 but did not play."I was quite a frequent figure in the squad before I left for England, then the call-ups came less and less."That's where every player aspires to play, the top level at international rugby."First and foremost it's about doing what I can for the Dragons and putting my best foot forward with performances to try and help us get wins."Hopefully international call-ups can come off the back of that, because there's no hiding from the fact that's where I want to be back playing."Firstly, Lewis has to ensure he gets the Dragons three jersey and he will battle recently capped Chris Coleman and South African summer signing Rob 29-year-old Lewis, who played 29 times for Quins over two seasons after moving from Cardiff, should be at the peak of his propping powers and feels the English Premiership helped his development."You rub shoulders with different players and learn a lot of new things," he said. "Being in different environments, living away from home for the first time, it all accumulated and I grew as a person and a player." Growing into a leader Lewis, settled back home in Llantrisant, is a lively character but is also now a seasoned campaigner who others will look up to."I spoke to the coaches about that," he said. "I have got quite a lot of experience at international level and I am 29 now, so that comes with the expectation to hold more of a senior role."That was something that excited me. It's a role that I've always wanted and you naturally grow into it."Now there is an expectation on me and that helps you slide into the role. There are a lot of good young front rowers that me and Wyn are trying our best to help by passing on knowledge." Tight-head has been a problem position for Wales but loose-head stocks are stronger and, at 33, Jones is currently down the pecking the prop has no intention of retiring from international rugby and could give Tandy food for thought by going well in the first URC block of games."If they were to ask and I was playing well enough, then definitely," said Jones about his Test chances."I've always said that while I am still playing rugby I still have aspirations for Wales, otherwise I would hang my boots up."The way that my body feels at the moment, if I can put week upon week then there might be an opportunity."Jones is keen to work under Tandy again after he was the prop's defence coach when the Lions took on the Springboks."I was very impressed, not only with his coaching abilities but as a person and how he connected with people," said Jones."He is a great man for the job because he is a people person who communicates really well and is thorough as a coach."There are not many who have that ability to be a coach on the field and a friend off it, actually caring for players. That's a balance that he has got."Jones has watched on as Wales endured a torrid time since the 2023 World Cup but is confident that brighter times are ahead."It's a rebuilding job and it's not going to come overnight, but we are definitely on the right track with Tandy," he said. Getting 'stale' at Scarlets Jones lived in Guildford with former Wales and Lions back Leigh Halfpenny while at Quins and spent plenty of time on the M4 travelling back to the family farm just outside prop returns home invigorated by his short stint in the Premiership and ready to battle for the Dragons' number one jersey."I probably got stale in the same place and it was a good move for me, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there," said the former Scarlets prop."I had a good year and didn't have any injuries; I managed to put week on week and ended up with over 20 appearances."A lot of those were from the bench but I was fit week to week, I definitely benefited from that and feel it going into this pre-season."I want to play as much rugby as I can. I am over 30 now and the main driver is to perform to the best of my ability for the team."If Jones and Lewis can do that then they might get Tandy's attention.
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Forgotten Wales and Lions star returns to Welsh rugby as announcement made
Forgotten Wales and Lions star returns to Welsh rugby as announcement made He last played for Wales in the 2023 Six Nations and was an impressive performer on the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa Wales prop Wyn Jones The Dragons have officially announced the signing of Wales international and Lions prop Wyn Jones. Jones joins from Harlequins next season as he returns to Welsh rugby just over a year after being let go by the Scarlets. The move represents an opportunity for him to prove he can still be a force at the top level and potentially win back his place in the Wales squad after a rapid fall from favour under previous coach Warren Gatland. The 33-year-old is the latest in a raft of signings by the Gwent region, which include current Quins team-mate Dillon Lewis and Cardiff trio Thomas Young, Seb Davies and Tinus de Beer. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Jones last played for Wales in the 2023 Six Nations and was an impressive performer on the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa. "I'm delighted someone of Wyn Jones' undoubted quality and experience is set to join us next season," said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia. "He adds to our front-row strength, providing competition for Rhodri Jones and Rodrigo Martinez along with our exciting young talent. Article continues below "His experience will be invaluable to our younger players as they push for first-team selection." Jones made 136 appearances for Scarlets before moving to Harlequins in 2024. He said: "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to link up with Dragons and return home to Welsh rugby this summer. "I'm excited by the direction and aspirations of the club and being part of plans to build and move a new-look squad forward in the coming seasons. "I'd like to thank everyone at Harlequins for a hugely enjoyable season in England. "It's been a fantastic experience and beneficial to my game to test myself in the English Premiership and work alongside such a talented group of players and coaches. 'My target now is to help Quins in any way I can achieve a strong finish to this campaign before linking up with Dragons for a fresh challenge next season.' Forwards Coach Sam Hobbs added that Jones would bring both experience and quality to the club's forward pack from next season. 'Wyn has played at the highest level internationally and for the Lions, is hugely experienced in the URC and has benefited from his time in Harlequins playing in a tough league for set-piece,' said Hobbs. Article continues below 'He has benefited from an injury free season performing well in numerous appearances this year. 'He will add real technical prowess at set piece providing another level of competition to our senior loosehead group, while also acting as a mentor to young exciting prospects like Dylan KG, Jordan Morris and George Tuckley.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales prop Jones joins Dragons from Harlequins
Wales prop Wyn Jones will join Dragons from Harlequins for the start of the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old follows fellow front-rower Dillon Lewis in swapping south-west London for Gwent. Jones was the starting British and Irish Lions loose-head in the final Test against the Springboks in 2021. He has played 48 internationals for Wales, with his last Test appearance coming in the Six Nations defeat against France in March 2023. Jones joins Harry Beddall, Tinus de Beer, Levi Douglas, Fine Inisi, Lewis and Thomas Young as the seventh new Dragons recruit confirmed for next season, with Cardiff lock Seb Davies also expected to join. "I'm delighted someone of Wyn Jones' undoubted quality and experience is set to join us next season," said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia. "He adds to our front-row strength, providing competition for Rhodri Jones and Rodrigo Martinez along with our exciting young talent. "His experience will be invaluable to our younger players as they push for first-team selection." Jones made 136 appearances for Scarlets, winning the United Rugby Championship (URC) title in 2017, before moving to Harlequins in 2024. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to link up with Dragons and return home to Welsh rugby this summer," said Jones. "I'm excited by the direction and aspirations of the club and being part of plans to build and move a new-look squad forward in the coming seasons. "I'd like to thank everyone at Harlequins for a hugely enjoyable season in England. "It's been a fantastic experience and beneficial to my game to test myself in the English Premiership and work alongside a talented group of players and coaches."
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales prop Jones joins Dragons from Harlequins
Wales prop Wyn Jones will join Dragons from Harlequins for the start of the 2025-26 33-year-old follows fellow front-rower Dillon Lewis in swapping south-west London for was the starting British and Irish Lions loose-head in the final Test against the Springboks in has played 48 internationals for Wales, with his last Test appearance coming in the Six Nations defeat against France in March joins Harry Beddall, Tinus de Beer, Levi Douglas, Fine Inisi, Lewis and Thomas Young as the seventh new Dragons recruit confirmed for next season, with Cardiff lock Seb Davies also expected to join. "I'm delighted someone of Wyn Jones' undoubted quality and experience is set to join us next season," said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia."He adds to our front-row strength, providing competition for Rhodri Jones and Rodrigo Martinez along with our exciting young talent."His experience will be invaluable to our younger players as they push for first-team selection." Jones made 136 appearances for Scarlets, winning the United Rugby Championship (URC) title in 2017, before moving to Harlequins in 2024."I'm looking forward to the opportunity to link up with Dragons and return home to Welsh rugby this summer," said Jones."I'm excited by the direction and aspirations of the club and being part of plans to build and move a new-look squad forward in the coming seasons."I'd like to thank everyone at Harlequins for a hugely enjoyable season in England. "It's been a fantastic experience and beneficial to my game to test myself in the English Premiership and work alongside a talented group of players and coaches."
