Former Wales captain and triple Six Nations Grand Slam winner Ryan Jones described his rugby career as “an incredible personal journey” after being forced to retire yesterday because of injury.

The 34-year-old Bristol back-row forward said in a statement that after suffering a shoulder injury three months ago and then undergoing surgery, it became clear that he could not continue playing.

Jones won 75 Wales caps, featuring in three Grand Slam-winning teams and securing four Six Nations titles, while he also played in all three Tests for the 2005 British and Irish Lions against New Zealand.

“Highlights of my career obviously include three Grand Slams with Wales and four league titles with the Ospreys but I can’t take a final bow without referencing the stand-off against the Haka in 2008,” he said.