He was selected for Wales' first overseas tour in 1964 and played in the Welsh rugby team's first match outside of Europe (and its first in the Southern Hemisphere) against East Africa in Nairobi on 12 May 1964, Wales winning 8-26.
Jones was only 21 when selected for the 1962 British Lions tour to South Africa and played in the first three internationals, scoring one try.
As a student he was offered a professional contract by Leeds rugby league and again by St George in Australia during the 1966 Lions tour but resolved to stay in rugby union on both occasions.
Jones helped bring Takiron (the plastics subsidiary of Itochu, one of Japan’s biggest trading companies) to Wales where he joined as MD before subsequently becoming its Chairman.
Jones was on the board of governors of Cardiff University and the University of Wales, as well as Chairman of governors of the Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagans and a council member of the National Museum of Wales.