Alun Wyn Jones[2][3] OBE (born 19 September 1985) is a Welsh former international rugby union player who played as a lock.

[7] Jones grew up in Mumbles, initially playing football before switching to rugby whilst at Oystermouth Primary School.

The decision was made, in part, so Ryan Jones could concentrate on the national captaincy during a busy World Cup year.

[12] On 7 July 2023, Jones would sign for French team Toulon as a cover during the 2023 Rugby World Cup held in France.

Disappointing performances however saw Wales finish 5th in the standings, securing their only win of the tournament on the final day against England.

[18] Jones scored his first Wales try during the 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, crossing the line in a 27–20 win over Argentina.

[20] Following defeat to Australia in Cardiff, Jones would score again against Japan at the Millennium Stadium in the third pool game, increasing their chances to qualify.

Unfortunately, Wales would fall to defeat in the final game against Fiji, crashing out of the World Cup at the pool stage.

[21] Jones started in Wales' opening game of the 2008 Six Nations against England, achieving a first win at Twickenham in 20 years.

In the 2015 Six Nations, he formed a second row partnership with Luke Charteris and won two man-of-the-match awards during the tournament, earning them against Scotland and Italy.

Jones suffered an injury in the penultimate game against England in the tournament and was replaced with a returning Charteris.

[30] In 2019, Jones captained Wales in their Grand Slam victory and was named Player of the Championship in a public vote.

[31] It was later established that Jones suffered knee ligament damage early in the Grand Slam decider against Ireland.

[3][34] On 29 September 2019, in a game against Australia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he became Wales' most-capped player, overtaking the record of 129 caps held by Gethin Jenkins.

[35] On 24 October 2020, Jones equalled Richie McCaw's record for the most international appearances, 148 caps, during Wales' 38–21 loss to France.

[39] In 2009, Jones was one of 13 Welsh players selected in the squad for the British & Irish Lions' tour to South Africa.

Jones then started the first test alongside Paul O'Connell against South Africa, with the team losing 26–21 in Durban.

[43] He dislocated his shoulder in the warm-up match against Japan in Edinburgh on 26 June but returned to play in the successful first test win against the Springboks four weeks later.

In an on-field interview after the match, Jones thanked the crowd in the stadium for their support over his career, as well as mentioning fellow players retiring from international duty, including Justin Tipuric, Leigh Halfpenny, and the absent Dan Biggar.

[49] Jones was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to rugby union in Wales.