Alun Wyn Jones reveals the heart condition that ended his Wales career
Recently retired Wales great Alun Wyn Jones has revealed to The Telegraph that he underwent surgery in November for atrial fibrillation, a heart condition which causes an irregular heart rate.
The 38-year-old played the final match of his record-breaking career last month for Toulon in the Top 14, but it was only when he was having his medical for the French giants in July that he found out that he had this heart condition.
“The cardiac doctor picked it up straight away. My heartbeat was like a galloping horse with six legs. It was all over the shop,” he said.
“The things that bring it on for someone my age is likely to be cardiovascular exercise and stress, it occurs in sports like rowing and endurance sports, but it was a shock because throughout my career I have always prided myself on my fitness.”
By then, the 170-cap international had already retired from Test rugby two months before having been told by Wales head coach Warren Gatland that he was not going to make the World Cup. But the diagnoses helped explain why his numbers had dropped during Wales’ initial training camp, which ultimately led to him failing to make his fifth World Cup.
He said: “I knew what was coming. They said my numbers were down.
“They wanted to do the right thing by naming me in the squad and then allowing me to retire on my terms. I understood why they were doing it that way, they tried to do the right thing, but I just wish they had told me earlier. I would have done everything in my power to put myself in contention to be selected for the World Cup. Now I know that because of my condition it is unlikely to have made any difference anyway.”
Despite the diagnosis and the risk, Jones decided to see out his short-term medical joker contract with Toulon saying it was something he “needed” to do. He finished his stint on the Cote d’Azur last month, captaining his side to a 30-27 win over ASM Clermont Auvergne and leaving the field to a standing ovation before having corrective surgery soon after. He explained the conversation he had with his wife prior to joining and his reasoning for playing on.
“There was a risk,” he said. “But I was prepared to play for Toulon. Anwen [his wife] and I had a conversation as husband and wife and I said: ‘I have come this far, if I drop, at least I will be doing something I love’.
“It might seem a selfish decision given that I have three young daughters, but I needed to take the opportunity. It was only going to be for four months, and it gave me an opportunity to experience and get perspective on my career and life.”
Jones has now called for players to be regularly screened for heart conditions.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
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3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to comments