Ken Jones, a former centre for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, passed away at the age of 81.
Ken Jones died
Ken Jones, a former centre for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, passed away at the age of 81.
In 14 international matches for Wales between 1962 and 1966, Jones scored five tries.
On two visits to South Africa in 1962 and to Australia and New Zealand in 1966, he also participated in six Test matches for the Lions.
Jones played club rugby for Llanelli and Cardiff before retiring at the age of 27. He also toured South Africa in 1964 with Wales.
Ken Jones early life
Jones was born on August 7th, 1941 in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire[1] and went to Gwendraeth Grammar School, University College, Cardiff, where he earned a BSc in 1963, and Merton College, Oxford for his education (1963-4).
He participated in Oxford University RFC while a student there.
Ken Jones rugby career
As a centre, he received fourteen caps for Wales between 1962 and 1966. [3] For Wales, he scored five tries. He participated in the Welsh rugby team’s first game outside of Europe (and its first in the Southern Hemisphere) against East Africa in Nairobi on May 12, 1964, with Wales winning 8–26. He was chosen for Wales’ first overseas trip in 1964.
Jones, who played in the first three international matches and scored one try although still just 21 years old, was chosen for the 1962 British Lions trip of South Africa. After the 1962 tour, he remained in South Africa and continued to play for Paarl. He was also chosen for the 1966 British Lions trip of Australia and New Zealand. He participated in both of Australia’s international matches and the first All Blacks match, in which he scored two tries. In 1964, he went on a tour to South Africa with Wales.
Ken Jones student life
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. Leeds offer of £12,000 would have been a world record fee at the time.
Jones retired from rugby at 27 having played club rugby for Llanelli and Cardiff where he spent 5 years at each club.
Ken Jones retirement life
Jones, who retired from rugby at the age of 27, worked with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Wales as a member of a team tasked with luring Japanese corporations to Wales through inbound investment. Jones played a key role in bringing Takiron (the plastics division of Itochu, one of the largest trade firms in Japan) to Wales, where he first worked as MD before rising to the position of Chairman.
Jones served as the chairman of the governors of the Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans, and a council member of the National Museum of Wales in addition to serving on the boards of governors for Cardiff University and the University of Wales.
President Peter Thomas on Ken Jones
During the 1960s, I had the good fortune to play with Ken, according to Peter Thomas, president of Cardiff Life.
“In addition to being a fantastic athlete, he was also a wonderful, charming man. He was a lot of fun and terrific company.
“He must be remembered as one of our greatest players since he was a Test Lion, made more than 100 appearances for Cardiff, and scored a first-ever Test try during the 1962 tour of South Africa.
“He will be missed by everyone who knew him, and at this sad time, our sympathies are with his family and friends.”
Ken Jones successful career
Jones represented Wales and the British & Irish Lions while playing more than 140 games for the club. While still a student at Gwendraeth Grammar School, he made his Llanelli RFC debut in 1959.
He began his rugby career from Cross Hands at Tumble RFC, played five seasons at centre and fly-half for the Scarlets, and then transferred to Cardiff RFC in 1965. He was a representative of Oxford University and a Varsity Blue winner there.
While playing with the Scarlets, Jones received ten caps for Wales, and in 1962, he travelled to South Africa with the British & Irish Lions, participating in three Test matches. While playing for Cardifff, he also visited New Zealand and Australia in 1966.
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