Toulon and Clermont fans gave Alan Wyn Jones a standing ovation as he completed his final rugby match on Saturday.

The Wales legend was signed by the Top 14 team as a World Cup wild card to play a cover role during the tournament, but will not be retained until the end of the season, as previously discussed.

Instead, Jones, 38, hung up his boots and laced them up for the last time at the Stade Marseille-Michelin in Clermont on Saturday night. He was named captain and before the match the home team honored him with a Clermont shirt.

With the score 24-23 after 66 minutes, the former Wales captain was replaced by teammate Adrien Warion and the crowd applauded the former British Lions captain as he left the field. . In response, he clapped his hands in thanks.

The official Toulon X account wrote: “Alan-Wyn Jones is replaced by Adrien Varion. Marseille-Michelin gives him a standing ovation.

“Thank you and congratulations on your wonderful and exceptional career, Mr. Jones.”

In a twist, Jones was called up again with two minutes to go, replacing Marius Domon. The visitors won 27-30 in tense circumstances.

In the build-up to the match, Jones admitted he would be emotional when it was all over, saying: “I owe a lot to the club. Four months may seem like a long time, but time flies! I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity.

“I think staying in the same place for a long time makes you want to work, but here the players, the people at the club, the fans and the city have rekindled my flame, my love for this sport. I think it was important for me and my family. “It gave me a different perspective on life and the game.”

He said he did not receive any other offers to continue playing and that it was his decision to end his career. “No (other offers) because my decision to stop in November was made at the end of last season,” he added.

Jones made 158 appearances for Wales and a further 12 for the Lions across four tours between 2009 and 2021, making him the most capped player in the world with 170 appearances. He captained Wales 48 times and announced his international retirement last summer after being called up to the Welsh World Cup training squad.