Cardiff over coffee: Adam Jones
This article first appeared in the Spring 2015 edition of our Cwtch magazine. Please click on the thumbnail above to read it as it appeared in the magazine.
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Wales' rugby legend Adam Jones needs no introduction. However, as a very excited Christian Amodeo discovers, there’s more to the 33-year-old former British and Irish Lions Test tighthead prop and three-time Wales Grand Slam winner than world-class heft and a trademark hair-do.
Hi Adam, how was training today?
Hard. Tuesday’s session involves more contact: hitting each other.
“Adam Jones has been a god,” said a rugby fan from Brackla when we mentioned we were interviewing you. You must look back with immense satisfaction on your international career. Do you ever pinch yourself?
Perhaps not pinch myself, but I’m incredibly proud and happy with what I’ve achieved – something I’ll one day be able to tell my kids and grandkids about. If I go back ten years or so to when I was just starting my international career, I’d not believe it, really.
What’s Adam Jones’ proudest moment on the rugby field? You did amazingly well with the Lions…
I did alright!I’d have to say it was what we achieved with the Lions. That was pretty special. Obviously, what I did with Wales was pretty good too, but with the Lions it’s not just your national side. With the Welsh boys, we all knew each other so well, but there’s more pressure with the Lions – it’s a new environment to get used to. If I’m honest with you, it’s what I enjoyed about it: the added challenge. There’s a competitive spirit and you’re fighting for a place; you can’t take anything for granted.
So many of us were disappointed to hear of your retirement from international rugby. If you got the call again, would you…?
No. I’ve said all along if there are so many injuries that I was required, then sure, but that’s not likely. It was really annoying last week [after the England defeat] as Samson [Lee] got injured and there was a lot in the papers about calling me up. To be honest with you, I think it’s disrespectful to Aaron [Jarvis] and Scott [Andrews] to suggest it. I had kind of made up my mind about retiring even before the current squad was selected.
The scrum rule change seemed to impact your game – how much of a factor has it been?
It’s affected everyone, really. The boys who’ve been playing over the past ten years or so, it’s obviously affected them more. It’s changed the scrum a lot – it’s more about brute strength than technique. But it is what it is – it’s not worth crying over.
You live in Merthyr. Do you take advantage of the nearby Brecon Beacons?
Probably not as much as I should, really. We [Adam, his wife Nicole and their three-year-old daughter, Isla] go out regularly as it is quite literally on our doorstep, of course, but I go out on the bike more than I go walking. Merthyr has a bit of a bad reputation but it’s a nice place – and pretty central for stuff, easy to get to, with lots to do nearby.
You recently moved to Cardiff Blues after such a long time and so many successes at the Ospreys. How have you found the transition?
It’s been really good, actually. Things are done a little differently here, but everything’s relatively the same in rugby, so it’s nothing I’ve been unable to adapt to easily enough. They manage you very well.
How well do you know the city?
Not that well, really. On time off we might pop down to Cardiff to go shopping, especially now with St David’s and The Hayes redevelopment. I really like Burger & Lobster and we often go to Wagamama as it’s so easy, especially with the little one in tow.
You have tons of experience – do you have plans to go into coaching?
It’s definitely what I want to move into. I’ll get all my badges done over the next couple of years. Maybe I’ll do individual scrum coaching first, and then gradually move into forwards coaching. I quite enjoy helping younger players out.
The profile of women’s rugby is on the rise – would you want your daughter, Isla, to follow in your footsteps?
I don’t see why not. She can do what she wants and we’ll support her, to be honest with you. I’m not sure she wants to play rugby though – she’s on golf at the moment.
Who was your biggest influence growing up?
My parents definitely were – my father and my grandfather both played rugby. My early coaches too, and especially the coaches at Neath, were very influential.
Tell us something that few people know about you.
I like musicals. Les Mis has to be my favourite as it’s a classic, and is probably the best production I’ve seen. We’ve been down to the West End quite a few times to see different shows.
Finally, given your hairstyle is one of the most famous in world rugby, have you any tips for hair care, and would you ever chop your locks for charity?
It depends which charity it is. If it’s something close to my heart, then yeah, I would. As for tips for hair care: none. I hardly wash it. In fact, I hardly brush it!
