- Jones has been named as scrum consultant for Wales during the Six Nations
- His appointment follows the WRU recommending changes to the backroom team
- Jones is incredibly well-regarded at Harlequins as a forwards and scrum coach
When Adam Jones was unceremoniously hauled off by Warren Gatland barely half an hour into his 100th Test appearance in South Africa in 2014, it kick-started a chain of events that left the decorated former prop devastated and eventually led to his retirement from rugby.
At that time, you’d have got more-than-long odds of the two reuniting. But more than a decade later, that is exactly what has happened after Wales on Wednesday confirmed Jones would become a part of boss Gatland’s coaching staff for the 2025 Six Nations.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s review into their national men’s side’s awful 2024 did recommend potential changes to Gatland’s backroom team on the back of 12 straight Test defeats.
But the news of Jones’ appointment – which will be for this Six Nations only due to him being under contract with English club side Harlequins – must still be considered a significant shock. That’s especially the case considering how his playing career ended under Gatland 11 years ago.
Still, Jones’ coaching reputation with the forwards and scrum – he is incredibly well regarded at Harlequins – will certainly enhance the Welsh set-up.
He joins Wales as scrum consultant and will work alongside forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys with whom he has a close bond.
Former Wales star Adam Jones has joined the coaching set-up as a scrum consultant
Jones’ appointment comes as a shock, particularly due to how the prop’s international career came to an end under Warren Gatland back in 2014
The Wales legend has been granted permission from Harlequins to join the coaching staff
Wales have also confirmed psychology and human performance specialist Andy McCann will be part of their Six Nations team. McCann, who previously worked with the Wales senior men’s team from 2009 to 2017 when they enjoyed stellar success, returns in an advisory capacity with a remit covering mental skills and performance.
In his role he will support players from a mindset and mentality perspective.
‘I would like to thank Harlequins for the opportunity to join the Wales coaching set-up for the Six Nations,’ Jones said. ‘I’m looking forward to working with Gats and Humphs, two big influences on my career as a player. It’s all moved quickly, but I’m looking forward to it.
‘It’s going to be a challenge coming from the Gallagher Premiership and this is my first taste of coaching international rugby, so there will be learning process for me as well but it’s a great opportunity to make an impact and aid my development as a coach.’
Gatland said: ‘I’m delighted Adam and Andy will be joining us for the Guinness Six Nations and I’d like to thank Harlequins for allowing Adam to take up this opportunity.
‘With less than two weeks to our first game against France in Paris, we will be working hard as a group to maximise our preparation and start our campaign on a high.’
Jones, now 43, ended his playing career with 100 caps – 95 for Wales and five for the British & Irish Lions across two tours. His time in coaching has been spent exclusively with Harlequins and as things stand, he will return to the Premiership club once the Six Nations is done in mid-March.
What is intriguing about Jones joining Wales now is the timing. Is it a Gatland appointment or a WRU one? After going through the whole of 2024 without a win, Gatland’s position as head coach is still under threat. This may well be his last campaign.
Jones, right, won three Six Nations Grand Slams and went to three World Cups with Wales
The WRU conducted a review after a dismal 2024 and recommended coaching changes
The question is if Jones appointment was an WRU one or led by under fire head coach Gatland
Jones’ decorated 18-year playing career – he won three Six Nations Grand Slams and went to three World Cups – means he has legendary Welsh status. His heroics with the Lions in 2009 and 2013 have also gone down in northern hemisphere rugby folklore.
His appointment will no doubt be popular with Wales fans. It is also a good move. He will join on secondment after Harlequins face Northampton on Friday and then return to the London side once the Six Nations is over. In Jones’ absence, the club’s former hooker Joe Gray – who has worked as a line-out guru with England – will help fill the void at Harlequins.
Their director of rugby Billy Millard said: ‘Representing your country as a player or a coach is a great honour. When we were informed of Adam’s opportunity, we wanted to work collaboratively with him and the Welsh Rugby Union on a solution that catered for all.
‘We have no doubt he’ll benefit greatly from the exposure of coaching at international level and take learnings from the experience, while continuing to support (head coach) Danny Wilson and the wider coaching staff throughout the Premiership Rugby Cup campaign.’
