BBC SPORT | RUGBY UNION | All Black Jones to retire

Gloucester received a double blow on Thursday when legendary lock Ian Jones and assistant first team coach John Brain decided to quit the Zurich Premiership side.

Jones, a former New Zealand All Black, ended speculation about his career at the club by announcing his retirement from the game.

The 34-year-old, capped 79 times for his country, has been at Kingsholm for two seasons.

However, he has decided to bow out altogether from rugby during the Barbarians' tour later this month.

I think now is the right time to bow out and take a step back from it all

Ian Jones

"I have had two really fantastic years at Gloucester, but I feel that now is the right time for me to finish and go back home with my family," he said.

"This is a purely rugby-orientated decision - I have always played rugby for enjoyment.

"I have never really considered it a job, and I don't want to continue just for the sake of it."

Jones, underlined what an outstanding talent he has been at the club with his impressive display in Gloucester's narrow Heineken Cup semi-final defeat against Leicester two weeks ago.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two weeks of Gloucester's season. We have been involved in some of the biggest games in this great club's history.

Ian Jones in action against Leicester
Jones (l) was man of the match in the European semi
"That is the way I want to be remembered, and so I think now is the right time to bow out and take a step back from it all."

Jones, who retired from international rugby after the 1999 World Cup, made 43 appearances for Gloucester.

There was speculation over the last few weeks that Jones may quit the club because he was owed money on his previous contract, but now it appears he is ready to retire from the game as a whole.

Jones made his All Blacks debut in 1990, going on to become a mainstay of their pack through three successive World Cups.

Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre paid his own tribute to the accomplished lock.

My involvement with the first team is over, and it is time to move on

John Brain

"He is a great player on the pitch, and a great person off it," said Saint-Andre.

"I think the players and supporters will miss him, but we must respect his decision. At 34, he feels this is the right decision to make."

Another headache for Saint-Andre is the departure of assistant first-team coach John Brain.

Brain has rejected an offer of a full-time contract at the club, which would have meant him working alongside former French international Laurent Seigne next season.

Seigne, who masterminded Brive's 1997 Heineken Cup final success, is set to join the coaching team at Kingsholm during the summer.

Brain, the club's forwards expert, had been targeted by Saint-Andre for a post within that set-up.

However, Brain, whose Gloucester connection stretches back more than 20 years, has rejected the opportunity.

"My involvement with the first team is over, and it is time to move on," he said.


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