Kenneth Jones

The following article has been adapted from the original by Dai Llewellyn, which focused on two players. It has been changed to highlight only the selected inductee’s information.

Ken Jones is a legendary figure not just in Wales but in the world of rugby. His sporting achievements are huge. He was a sporting all-rounder, an Olympic sprinting medallist who won Commonwealth and European honours as well.

Jones also used his speed to help Wales to a couple of Grand Slams, in 1950 and 1952. And one of his 17 tries in 44 appearances in a Wales jersey helped pull off the historic victory over the New Zealand All Blacks in 1953.

Sparkle was something that Ken Jones brought to the matches he played in during his international career, which was enjoyed between 1947 and 1957.

His career began and ended against England and he certainly had a memorable match or two. In 1948, as the Five Nations creaked into action following World War II, it was a second-half try by Jones that ensured a draw at Twickenham.

But his best match on English soil came four years later when Wales, who had lost Bleddyn Williams with flu on the morning of the match, pretty soon found themselves trailing 6-0. But a brilliant break by Cliff Morgan set up Jones, who sprinted through, and in the second half Jones clinched victory with his second try.

That season Jones scored four tries in the Championship as Wales swept through unbeaten. He was an ever-present, to the extent that he made a record 43 consecutive appearances for his country.

But Jones, who died in April 2006, always reckoned his finest sporting moment was on the athletics track, when the British sprint relay team finished with a silver medal in the 1948 Olympics. The quartet was originally awarded gold after it was deemed that the United States team had messed up its first baton change, but that was rescinded on appeal so Jones ended up with silver.

Even so, Jones’ exploits on the rugby fields of the world live on, and none more so than those on the famous stage that is Twickenham.

Article by Dai Llewellyn