Shock retirement won't impact Alun Wyn Jones' legacy, says Gareth Thomas

ALUN Wyn Jones' decision to retire from Test rugby months out from a World Cup might have shocked a few but Gareth Thomas believes the move should not have any effect on how his career is viewed. With 170 caps for Wales and the British & Irish Lions, Jones is the most capped rugby player of all time, and looked like he would appear at a fifth Rugby World Cup after being initially selected in Wales' wider training squad.

Ad But like Ospreys teammates Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb, Jones decided to call time on his international career – a decision that former Wales skipper Thomas completely understands. RugbyLondon Irish suspended from Premiership due to financial troubles7 HOURS AGO He said: «It is quite unusual (to have players retire so close to the World Cup).

But for me, somebody who has retired from that level, it's all about when you are ready. You cannot write it in stone and whenever you are ready, for whatever reason, it's your choice and your decision to make.

»All I hope is that those three players, who have given such great moments and played with such pride in their national jersey, that they are not remembered for when they retired, or defined by it. I want them to be remembered and defined by what they did on the field because that far outweighs anything that could overshadow their commitment to the jersey." The retirement of three long-time contributors, along with the decision to drop Rhys Carré from the squad for failing to meet performance targets has raised some eyebrows about Wales' preparations.