Ryan Jones

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones has revealed he has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia at the age of 41. The 75-cap Grand Slam-winning forward, ...

I don’t know how to slow that down, make it stop, what to do.” “Every episode I have also leaves a bit of a legacy. I was diagnosed with depression and I started to realise that some of my cognitive function wasn’t great. I began to see that my short-term memory wasn’t great. And I just want to lead a happy, healthy, normal life. “I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I’m not.

Wales' Grand Slam winning captain Ryan Jones has revealed he has been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

Everything we cancel, every relationship that I poison or don't have time for anymore, just makes it a little bit tougher to cope. That's the bit I can't shake off. "And I am really scared.

Jones, who was involved in three Grand Slam wins for his country, was diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in December.

"That's the fear, that's the bit that never leaves. Jones played for Wales from 2004 to 2014 and was appointed captain of the team in 2008. "I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human performance. "I feel that's been taken away and there's nothing I can do... Ryan Jones played for Wales from 2004 to 2014 and was appointed captain of the team in 2008. "I feel like my world is falling apart," he said.

Jones was part of the British and Irish Lions squad who toured New Zealand in 2005.

Everything we cancel, every relationship that I poison or don’t have time for anymore, just makes it a little bit tougher to cope. “I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human performance. That’s the bit I can’t shake off.

Ryan Jones, born in Newport, skippered Wales 33 times in 75 appearances for his country and had spells at Ospreys, Celtic Warrios and Briston.

Following the diagnosis Jones revealed that his dementia has left him 'terrified'. "It terrifies me because I don’t know if, in two years’ time, we’re sat here and these episodes are a week long, two weeks long or permanent," he added. I began to see that my short-term memory wasn’t great. And I just want to lead a happy, healthy, normal life. I was diagnosed with depression and I started to realise that some of my cognitive function wasn’t great. “I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I’m not. It also paints a worrying picture for the future of rugby, both of union and league, with increasing cases of dementia in the sport.

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones has revealed his fears for the future after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia aged 41.

“That’s the fear, that’s the bit that never leaves. “I feel that’s been taken away and there’s nothing I can do. “I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human performance.

Ryan Jones, the former captain of the Wales rugby team, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia at the age of 41.

"It is a sport that is contact ridden and will continue to deliver injuries and head injury. "It is time for everybody involved in the game to prioritise individual player welfare. Everything we cancel, every relationship that I poison or don't have time for anymore, just makes it a little bit tougher to cope," he added. Jones was awarded an MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to rugby union and charitable fundraising. "I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human performance. "I feel that's been taken away and there's nothing I can do...

Players should start missing games in order to protect them from long-term brain injuries following the news that former Wales captain Ryan Jones has ...

“Every episode I have also leaves a bit of a legacy. That’s the bit I can’t shake off. “I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human performance.

Grand Slam winning rugby captain Ryan Jones has joined a legal action against rugby's governing bodies after being diagnosed with early onset dementia.

The collisions in world rugby have had such an impact on players. It's going to hit home." Absolutely devastating for Ryan and his family. And I am really scared. "We need to protect them and world rugby needs to take action," she added. "It is time for everybody involved in the game to prioritise individual player welfare," it said in a statement. "It's important that players also understand that any knock to the head that they take means that they need to come off and we adhere to all the protocols that are in place. "If that means protocols erring on the side of caution and players being rested and missing games, it is a small price to pay to try and protect the long-term health of its participants. He said he hoped the former Wales captain joining the legal action would "kickstart a motion to have a change in the future of rugby". Speaking to BBC Wales she said it was likely the number of former players receiving diagnosis of early onset dementia would "be increasing and it's not just going to be the high profile rugby players as well". "He's been on the scene for so long and this is going to shock and upset a lot of people. Because I've got three children and three step-children and I want to be a fantastic dad," he said.

The rugby community was rocked on Saturday with news former Wales captain Ryan Jones has been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

The game has become brutal, obsessed with size, and not the game many fell in love with." The official Ospreys Supporters' Club said online: "Hugely saddened to read this about former Ospreys and Wales captain and B&I Lion, Ryan Jones. So many wonderful memories of his playing days, but nothing, just nothing is worth this. "It is a sport that is contact ridden and will continue to deliver injuries and head injury. "I mean it saddens me to my core and we've had enough warning shots and its needs continued efforts from the powers that be to make sure that they'll be in as safe a place as possible. But we've got to seriously look at how we play the game moving forward." They have just changed the laws so that any sort of head contact means 12 days off.