How one phone call led Adam Jones from a lazy Saturday to Premiership rugby in just three steps

The man, the myth, the legend

Sean McMahon

How one phone call led Adam Jones from a lazy Saturday to Premiership rugby in just three steps

If there was ever any doubt of Adam Jones’ legendary status well that can be firmly put to bed after what he had to go through at the weekend.

The veteran tighthead prop is currently plying his trade for London-based club, Harlequins, after signing with them ahead of the 2015/2016 season.

The former Cardiff Blues and Ospreys man has had a glittering career.

Jones has been a part of three Grand Slam winning Welsh sides, earning 95 caps for his country and appearing on two different British & Irish Lions Tours.

As his career is beginning to wind down, his role with ‘Quins has now evolved into a playing/coaching role.

In Harlequins’ clash with Sale Sharks at the weekend, Jones had to fulfil both of these duties under rather strange circumstances.

Jones was told that he would not be needed in the game, not the worst news, perfect opportunity to spend a Saturday with friends and family.

However, he was told at 11.30am on the day of the match that he would be needed to fill in as defence coach in the absence of Graham Rowntree. No bother, Jones makes the dash to the Twickenham Stoop in order to prepare his teammates for the match.
However, things took an unexpected turn as Joe Marler injures his calf during the warm-up, which meant that Jones had to be named on the bench.
Things went from bad to worse for Quins’ as Owen Evans, who replaced Marler, had to go off after 20 minutes, meaning Jones had to play a whole 6o minutes of rugby.

He also packed down on the loosehead side of the scrum, Jones is naturally a tighthead.

Quins’ Director of Rugby, John Kingston, was full of praise for the professionalism which Jones showed that day.

“It was remarkable for a man of over 100 caps, on he goes, wrong side of the scrum, to play 60 minutes there,” Kingston told reporters. ” I cannot speak highly enough of him.”

This isn’t the first time that Jones has been cast into the limelight, you might remember his ridiculous drop goal attempt against Munster in November 2014.