Stephen Jones set for golden thankyou from Wales

Stephen Jones is to be granted a testimonial by the Welsh Rugby Union in recognition of his status as their most-capped international.
The 34-year-old Welsh Lion is the first player to be so honoured by his national Union since the advent of professionalism in August, 1995. The move will set a precedent which other countries could follow in respect of players with colossal long-service records such as Brian O’Driscoll and Richie McCaw.
England’s record cap holder, Jason Leonard, received no testimonial from the RFU, nor did he expect one, when bowing out at Twickenham eight years ago after 114 Tests.
Chris Paterson, the most-capped Scot with 109, has been appointed a specialist coach and ambassador by the SRU since retiring last December.
Jones, now with Wasps, made his Wales debut in 1998, won his 100th cap against the Barbarians last year and overtook Gareth Thomas’ national record with his 101st during the World Cup in New Zealand.
Wales have not picked him since the third-place decider against Australia 12 months ago, his 104th appearance.
Testimonial organisers are finalising a series of events.  There could be a benefit match as well as a series of lunches and dinners. The first could take place before the All Blacks appear at the Millennium Stadium on November 24.
Another event could be held in Hong Kong to coincide with the Barbarians’ match there against the Lions on June 1. The question of a benefit match for Jones is under consideration.
The Lions tour rules out an end-of-season date. Pre-season appears to offer more scope although there would be issues over player release, not that Jones would have any shortage of big-names willing to lend him practical support.
The  Jones testimonial programme ought to generate a six-figure sum for a player now in the first of a two-season contract with Wasps. Whatever the amount, it will not create the furore which surrounded the WRU when they first contributed to a player’s testimonial.
Their financial backing of Welsh rugby‘s original superstar, Arthur ‘Monkey’Gould,  led to Wales being kicked out of international competition.
It began when the WRU made a donation to a public testimonial fund for Gould. The RFU complained, accusing Wales of breaking  amateur regulations. The WRU withdrew their contribution,  then did an about-turn in response to public complaints that they had succumbed to pressure from England.
Wales then held a dinner in the player’s honour in his native Newport in 1897.
Union president Sir John Llewellyn presented Gould with the title deeds of a house in the city. With the Wales captain immediately branded a professional, Scotland and Ireland refused to play Wales.
The IRB escalated the crisis by demanding that Wales never pick Gould again as a condition to their re-instatement. Wales refused and were still standing defiantly by Gould when the man himself solved the impasse by retiring.
PETER JACKSON