Belonging: The Autobiography

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Jones has spent the past fortnight publicising the book, appearing on national TV and attending numerous book signings around the country. Large crowds have formed at the signings, with fans desperate to meet the most-capped rugby player in history. It was then that everything came to a head and he reflected upon the enormous individual effort put in just to get out to South Africa. Brilliant, honest and combative, his autobiography, written with Tom Fordyce, is the story of one of the most compelling and singular figures in rugby. Told with unflinching honesty, this is the ultimate book for all fans of the sport. Gatland also said that last week’s narrow defeat by South Africa A, which featured nine of the Springboks’ starters for this Saturday, demonstrated the Lions can cope with their opponents’ firepower. “We were very happy with our lineout, maul defence and in a couple of scrums towards the end we felt we really dominated,” added Gatland. “Whether they come with different variations, I don’t think so. I think they’ll come with a harder approach. It’s one aspect where I think we dented their ego, as they didn’t have the dominance in the areas they would have liked. Dr Anwen Jones was speaking to S4C's Heno programme in a rare interview at the official launch of Jones' new autobiography, Belonging, in Swansea.

From the rain swept pitches of Swansea to making his test debut against Argentina in Patagonia in 2006, from touring with the Lions in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021 to losing a parent and building a family, Belonging is the autobiography of one of the most compelling figures in World rugby. Told with unflinching honesty, this is the ultimate story of what it takes and what it means to play for your country: what it means to belong. But is it also about perthyn – belonging, playing for Wales, working your way through the age-grades and the club matches and regional sides. What it takes to earn the right to be there, and what it feels like to make the sacrifices along the way. Feeling the bond to the great players not long gone, and feeling the ties to the millions in front rooms and pubs across the hillsides and the valleys, coast to coast. Knowing that deep down you just want to belong, be a part of it, as everyone does. Belonging is the story about how the boy left Mumbles and returned as the most capped rugby player of all time. It is the story of what it takes to become a player who is seen by many as one of the greatest Welsh players there has ever been. What it takes to go from sitting, crossed legged on the hall floor at school, watching the 1997 Lions Tour of South Africa to being named the 2021 Lions Captain. He was subsequently selected for the 2013 Lions Tour of Australia and the 2017 Lions Tour of New Zealand. On 31 October 2020, against Scotland, he became the most capped rugby player of all time, with 149 caps. Brilliant, honest and combative, his autobiography, written with Tom Fordyce, is the story of one of the most compelling and singular figures in rugby.

This is where the story of Alun Wyn Jones's journey begins, the story that every child who has dreamt of playing rugby for their country starts with. From the tightness in your stomach to the look on your team-mates’ faces, the adrenaline starting to flow within. But is it also about perthyn– belonging, playing for Wales, working your way through the age-grades and the club matches and regional sides. What it takes to earn the right to be there, and what it feels like to make the sacrifices along the way. Feeling the bond to the great players not long gone, and feeling the ties to the millions in front rooms and pubs across the hillsides and the valleys, coast to coast. Knowing that deep down you just want to belong, be a part of it, as everyone does.

A true warrior. He demands excellence from himself and others around him. He has had success and disappointment, joy and sadness. People think they know him but unless you read this book you will never know the REAL Alun Wyn Jones.' - Warren Gatland A true warrior. He demands excellence from himself and others around him. He has had success and disappointment, joy and sadness.

Who is Anwen Jones?

Alun Wyn Jones is the most capped rugby player of all time. Seen by many as one of the greatest ever Welsh players, he has won three Grand Slams and two championships for Wales and was named the best player of the 2019 Six Nations Championship. One of the greatest, and seemingly indestructible, players in history' – A Daily Mail Book of the Year Jones was initially left devastated after being ruled out of the tour but somehow managed to recover in just three weeks to captain the side in all three Tests against South Africa. But is it also about perthyn – playing for Wales, working his way through the age grades and club rugby and his regional side. How to earn the right to be there, and what it feels like to make the sacrifices along the way. Feeling the connection to players who have come before, and feeling the ties to the millions in front rooms and pubs across the country, coast to coast. Knowing that deep down you want to belong, as everyone does.

I looked at her as I walked in the door and said 'Yep shall we leave it until tomorrow.' A tense evening that one," he writes. Belonging is the story about how the boy left Mumbles and returned as the most capped rugby player of all time. It is the story of what it takes to become a player who is seen by many as one of the greatest Welsh players there has ever been. What it takes to go from sitting, crossed legged on the hall floor at school, watching the 1997 Lions Tour of South Africa to being named the 2021 Lions Captain. On Jones' now famous Lions injury, which saw him dislocate his shoulder just seven minutes into a warm-up game against Japan, she admitted it had been a hectic time. Gatland has been delighted by the level of intensity in training. He named his starting XV on Wednesday, with Alun Wyn Jones returning as captain, and explained how those who have missed out have turned the heat up on the 23 selected. Alun Wyn goes into forensic detail of what he had to do to make that remarkable recovery from a shoulder injury to lead the Lions in South Africa this summer.

When did they marry?

Belonging is the story about how the boy from Mumbles became the most capped rugby union player of all time. It is the story of what it takes to become a man who is seen by many as one of the greatest ever Welsh players. What it takes to go from sitting cross-legged on the hall floor at school watching the 1997 Lions tour of South Africa, to being named the 2021 Lions captain.