Former Wales dual-code forward Jones dies aged 59

Mark Jones, 59, the former Wales dual-code rugby player, passed away.

Jones was reportedly killed by a heart attack while working out in a Middle Eastern gym, according to Wales Rugby League.

Prior to joining Tredegar RFC, Jones moved to Neath in 1985, one of the dominant teams in Welsh rugby, where he started his senior rugby career in union with the local side Tredegar Ironsides.

While playing for Neath, the number eight quickly established himself as one of the “hard men” of the game, and throughout his career in both codes he frequently received punishment for violent conduct on the field.

Jones, however, did not suffer from his international success, and he spent 15 years playing rugby league for Wales before joining Hull.

At the age of 21, he scored a late try on debut in a 21-15 defeat to make his Wales bow in union against Scotland at Murrayfield in March 1987.

After switching codes to the league in October 1990 as part of a Welsh exodus, Jones injured a number of ankles, initially limiting his time playing for Hull.

In the 13-man game, Jones won 11 caps for Wales, including two during the renowned 1995 World Cup campaign, in which Wales advanced to the semi-finals. In February 1992, he also played one game for Great Britain against France.

After four seasons with Hull, Jones spent one season at Warrington before reuniting with Ebbw Vale.

His time with the Steelmen turned out to be the most notorious of his career, with Stuart Evans, a well-known Wales prop, being banned for four weeks with both of them.

Then, in the 1998-99 league season against Pontypridd, Jones struck a young Ian Gough, requiring eye surgery on his eye socket. Referee Derek Bevan sent him off with a third three-week ban.

In spite of his crimes, Jones won his 15th and final cap in June 1998 against Zimbabwe, just before he turned 33. He was then given a recall to Wales and was given a recall.

Before the end of his career, Jones worked as a lab technician for an international oil company in the Middle East for Pontypool and Aberavon.

Jones took rugby coaching during his time at the academy.

In his autobiography Fighting To Speak, Jones released a reflection on his turbulent career in 2023.

Lyn Jones, a former Wales flanker and Neath, was among those who paid tribute to his former teammate.

Mark was a gentleman, according to Lyn Jones, who spent six or seven seasons at the Gnoll with the help of the back row.

He was a very uncompromising player, Mark, and a real pleasure to play with, but unfortunately, many other people.

Lyn Jones claimed that Mark Jones’ autobiography was a genuine, objective appraisal of his life, which “helped him put his entire life out there and became his legacy, really.”

Jones, a former Ospreys coach, continued, “He was able to correct himself in many ways and overcome his speech impediment because of it. And, you know, getting to know him for the first time in two years after being away for a while was wonderful.

Jones was a giant in both codes, according to Clive Griffiths, who served as his coach for the Wales Rugby League for a while. His later selection for the Great Britain team speaks for his skill as a player.

He played rugby for Wales until the rugby union returned to the professional level in 1995. He was a constant member of the Welsh squad from 1991 to 1995.

Everyone admired him first and foremost as a man. His book is just so fascinating to read about his life, which I just read.

It’s like losing a member of my family, in my opinion. The team of 1995 has a very tight relationship with us, and we stay in touch. Right now, it’s difficult to explain how intensely that group of players feels.