Wales confirm Adam Jones appointment to Warren Gatland's Six Nations staff - 11 years after his playing career ended under the head coach
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When Adam Jones was unceremoniously hauled off by Warren Gatland barely half an hour into his 100th Test appearance in South Africa in 2014, it kick-started a chain of events that left the decorated former prop devastated and eventually led to his retirement from rugby.
![[Jones' appointment comes as a shock, particularly due to how the prop's international career came to an end under Warren Gatland back in 2014]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/18/94401311-14314171-image-a-35_1737569281137.jpg)
At that time, you’d have got more-than-long odds of the two reuniting. But more than a decade later, that is exactly what has happened after Wales on Wednesday confirmed Jones would become a part of boss Gatland’s coaching staff for the 2025 Six Nations.
![[The Wales legend has been granted permission from Harlequins to join the coaching staff]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/18/94401309-14314171-image-a-36_1737569456133.jpg)
The Welsh Rugby Union’s review into their national men’s side’s awful 2024 did recommend potential changes to Gatland’s backroom team on the back of 12 straight Test defeats. But the news of Jones’ appointment – which will be for this Six Nations only due to him being under contract with English club side Harlequins – must still be considered a significant shock. That’s especially the case considering how his playing career ended under Gatland 11 years ago.
![[Jones, right, won three Six Nations Grand Slams and went to three World Cups with Wales]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/18/94401151-14314171-image-a-38_1737569549266.jpg)
Still, Jones’ coaching reputation with the forwards and scrum – he is incredibly well regarded at Harlequins – will certainly enhance the Welsh set-up. He joins Wales as scrum consultant and will work alongside forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys with whom he has a close bond.
![[The WRU conducted a review after a dismal 2024 and recommended coaching changes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/18/94401723-14314171-image-a-39_1737569659199.jpg)
