Former Wales dual-code forward Jones dies aged 59

Former Wales dual-code rugby world Mark Jones has died astatine nan property of 59.

Wales Rugby League said Jones died of a bosom onslaught while astatine a gym successful nan Middle East.

Jones began his elder rugby profession successful national pinch section broadside Tredegar Ironsides earlier joining Tredegar RFC, past connected to Neath successful 1985 - astatine nan clip 1 of nan powerhouses of Welsh rugby.

Neath said news of nan decease of their erstwhile subordinate had near nan nine "heartbroken" and paid tribute to "a existent unit of nature".

The number 8 began establishing his estimation arsenic 1 of nan 'hard men' of nan crippled while astatine Neath, and during his profession successful some codes he was sanctioned regularly for convulsive behaviour connected nan field.

That disciplinary grounds did not harm his world chances though, and Jones played 15 times for Wales betwixt 1987 and 1990 earlier switching to rugby convention pinch Hull.

He made his Wales front successful national against Scotland astatine Murrayfield successful March 1987, aged conscionable 21, scoring a precocious effort connected debut successful a 21-15 defeat.

After switching codes to convention successful October 1990 - portion of a Welsh exodus arsenic players from nan amateur national crippled flocked to nan master codification - Jones suffered a bid of ankle injuries that initially constricted his clip connected nan transportation for Hull.

His talent yet shone done and Jones won 11 caps for Wales successful nan 13-man game, including 2 during a celebrated 1995 World Cup run wherever Wales reached nan semi-finals. He besides represented Great Britain, playing 1 crippled against France successful February 1992.

After 4 years pinch Hull, featuring astatine prop and 2nd row, Jones played for a play astatine Warrington earlier returning to national pinch Ebbw Vale.

His play pinch nan Steelmen proved nan astir notorious of his career, including a celebrated brawl pinch Swansea's Wales prop Stuart Evans that saw some men banned for 4 weeks.

Then successful nan 1998-99 convention play against Pontypridd, Jones landed a punch connected a young Ian Gough that near nan early Wales prima needing room connected his oculus socket. Another three-week prohibition followed his sending-off by referee Derek Bevan.

Despite his transgressions, Jones earned a Wales callback and won his 15th and last headdress arsenic a fastener against Zimbabwe successful June 1998, a fewer days earlier turning 33.

He played for Pontypool and Aberavon earlier nan extremity of his profession and aft hanging up his boots, Jones went connected to activity arsenic a laboratory technician successful an world schoolhouse for an lipid institution successful nan Middle East.

His clip astatine nan schoolhouse saw Jones go progressive successful rugby coaching.

In 2023, Jones reflected connected his turbulent profession by releasing his autobiography Fighting To Speak.

In nan book, he candidly explained really his ongoing struggle pinch a debilitating stammer had made him "very anxious, afloat of self-loathing and hate", and really rugby gave him nan chance to merchandise that rage connected nan field.

Clive Griffiths, who coached Jones for a number of years pinch nan Wales convention side, told nan Wales Rugby League website: "Scooby was a elephantine successful some codes, and nan truth that he went connected to play for Great Britain arsenic good speaks volumes for his expertise arsenic a player.

"He was portion and parcel of that awesome era of Welsh rugby convention until rugby national went backmost master successful 1995. From 1991-95, he was an ever-present successful nan Welsh squad.

"Everybody loved him arsenic a man first and foremost. I precocious publication his book and it's conscionable truthful absorbing to publication astir his life.

"For me, it's for illustration losing 1 of nan family. We're truthful tight arsenic a group, nan squad of 1995, and we're ever successful touch. It's difficult to explicate nan extent of emotion from that group of players correct now.

"He ever called maine boss, correct up until now. He was a superb man, 1 of nan champion and that's why he was loved truthful much."