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Former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones joins Toulon

By AAP Newswire

Jul 7, 2023

Alun Wyn Jones faces up to New Zealand's haka as Wales captain in 2021 — Former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has signed for Toulon for the duration of the Rugby World Cup. -EPA

Former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has joined Toulon on a short-term contract as a 'medical joker' for the duration of this year's Rugby World Cup.

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"We are delighted and honoured to welcome a legendary player like Alun Wyn Jones to Toulon," director of rugby Pierre Mignoni told the French club's website on Friday.

"His experience and his mental and physical strength will add to the locker room and to his teammates."

The 37-year-old Wales great announced his shock international retirement in May as the most-capped player in world rugby.

The second-row forward, who had been named in Wales' preliminary World Cup squad, has played a world-record 170 Test matches since 2006 - 158 for Wales and 12 for the British and Irish Lions.

Wales are in Australia's group at the World Cup, and face the Wallabies on September 24 (September 25 AEST) in Lyon.

Jones ended his 17-year stay at the Ospreys in June.

He has initially signed a short-term deal at Toulon to cover squad absences as the domestic Top 14 season starts in mid-August before resuming after the World Cup in the final week of October.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press