Mark Jones

Welsh rugby international and Llanelli Scarlets player.

Born:

7 NOV 1979

Place of Birth:

Builth Wells

Trivia:

His favourite drink is milkshake.

Biography:

Mark Jones was born in Builth Wells on 7 November 1979 and grew up on the family sheep and cattle farm in Llanafan Fawr, with his two brothers and parents Brenda and Gwyn.

As a young boy, Mark went to Irfon Valley County Primary School at Garth. He later went to school at Builth High School where he excelled at athletics and rugby.

He played throughout his school years for Builth Wells Rugby Club junior sides and made his Welsh Youth debut whilst playing for the successful Builth RFC Youth (Under 19) Rugby Team.

Whilst still a youth age player, he was signed from Builth RFC by Llandovery RFC and in his first season in senior rugby he was the highest try scorer in the whole Welsh League.

The following season he was signed by Llanelli Scarlets where he has been ever since. He made his Welsh International debut versus England at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff in 2001 and to date has 16 caps - the last of which he picked up at the 2003 World Cup in Australia.

His career on the wing has been plagued with knee injuries. Severe lLigament problems kept him out of the entire 2004-05 campaign and during his time on the sidelines, he underwent major reconstruction surgery on both knees. At times, it seemed as if his career on the pitch might be over but he made a remarkable return from his injuries, returning to play for the Scarlets at the beginning of the 2006 season.

In January 2006, Mark Jones was named in Wales' 30-man squad for the Six Nations campaign, marking his return to the international stage for the first time in 26 months (see the full story in BBC Sport...).

Even though he now lives in Cardiff, Mark is a regular visitor to Builth and coached Builth Wells RFC in the 2002/2003 season.

Factfile Full Name: Mark Anthony Jones Nickname: Boyce Height: 6'2" Weight: 13st 7lb

Moment of Glory:

Winning his first cap for Wales in 2001

Read more about Mark Jones' hometown in our Builth Wells Life pages.

your comments

Mike
Well what can i say, he's just brilliant and i try so hard to be just like him when i play on the wing for builth. he went to the same school as me and im so proud, i tell everyone. i drive past his farm.
Wed Jul 29 14:57:36 2009

Georgia Williams (Builth Wells)
Mark is great... He is my cousin and im very happy. His mum Auntie Brenda is a great cook especially her roast dinner.I used to go up the farm Ty mawr all the time on the tractors . But i always went on the quad with one of his brothers Neil
Mon Jul 13 18:42:00 2009

EmyrFrom Llanrwst
I play rugby for Nnat Conwy and I am the captain For Eryri The county and I captained North Wales U11.You are a great player and your one of the bast rugby players Wales has ever seen.You should be in the Lions tour in South Africa!!
Mon Jun 15 09:57:16 2009

dorian davies from irfon valley
i remember mark from when i was little. im so proud of him!i play rugby now just like him id love to play for wales one day.
Wed Feb 4 10:10:17 2009

Neil & sam (Bancffosfelin Carms) originally Beulah
Mark I remember you outside garth shop as a young lad of on one of your first welsh tours . Your achevments are something to be proud of. Myself and my son follow all the scarlets home games and watched as you set the french game alight in your 2008 victory every one left their seats. MARK LIGHTNING JONES as my son calls you keep it up very proud to know you
Fri Oct 3 11:05:57 2008

Emyr from Llanrwst
I play rugby for Nant conwy and I support Wales of course and the Ospreys Llanelli are good but Idont support them.
Tue Sep 2 09:42:33 2008

Angharad Morgan from Builth Wells
Mark Jones was taught by my father when he was playing in builth wells for 4 years 14/15/16/17 but this is the truth... in 2005 after 6 nations he said to my father "I couldn't have got this far if it werent for you" they are still very good friends.
Tue Jun 3 09:18:38 2008

Jamie Hastings
I knew ash mills and tom rich and paul thomas well from irfon valley i seen mark a few times playing rugby.and es good
Wed Apr 9 09:56:26 2008

Ashley Mills, Paul Thomas, Tom Rich
Brilliant player. Went to same schools as you, we know you well "ty mawr".
Mon Feb 4 11:20:19 2008

Jan from Erwood
Mark has time for everyone.My children have organised many charity events and Mark has always been willing to help by giving a prize. You are a credit to Builth never forgeting your roots. Good luck with the Scarlets this season and we are looking forward to coming down to watch you.
Tue Oct 9 10:29:33 2007

Angela Ower, Llangammarch Wells
Mark's great.an example to the young lads in this area.As a teacher of Junior pupils in Builth C.P I tell my pupils that Im proud to know him and that he is a close friend of my son Chris Ower who sees Mark frequently as they live in Cardiff and Chris is a Rugby Development Officer for the Blues & the WRU. Both are fantastic young men who were at school together at Irfon Valley and Builth High.
Fri Sep 21 08:44:21 2007

Bradders, Llangammarch
Mae Mark Jones yn chwaraewr arbenig iawn. Mae llawr o amser 'da fe am ei glwb rygbi lleol, Llanfair-ym-Muallt.- Mark Jones is an exceptional player. He has a lot of time for his local rugby club - Builth Wells.
Tue Sep 11 13:33:52 2007

Tanya
I lived in the local village near to Mark and known him from a young age. He's done Builth proud and the younger generation. I know the feel of his kicks too. He knocked me out once at a village fete.
Mon Feb 26 12:45:53 2007

pamela cousins northern ireland
star of welsh rugby and prince of builth wells
Tue Dec 5 11:01:00 2006

Carley Williams from Builth Wells
i love mark he is a great rugby star.
Thu Nov 30 09:26:32 2006

Sammy from Llangammarch
i love mark, he is so lovly and he looks so good on the field. he is a friend of me dad.
Wed Nov 8 11:25:27 2006

Siany and Lindy from Llanelli
Mark is the best ever and he's so good on the pitch!
Mon May 8 14:25:31 2006

Dingley Minnesota
It is more of the Llanafan Fawr spirit in Wales Rugby that is required. Perhaps Wales should consider Mavis and Ginger Church also. Wales might not be doing too well this seaseon, however the Llanafan man is winning.That reminds me; I bet him to score the first try against Ireland and again against Italy. A very nice return so when I get home I had better leave a pint for each of them at the Swan.
Fri Mar 17 18:42:02 2006

MC
Mark Jones played well against England on Saturday despite the score and will no doubt retain his place. Still looks as quick as ever...a testimony to a determined welsh player...
Mon Feb 6 21:57:12 2006

rhys velindre
playin builth under 12's is impossible mark is a star that is were u builth boys get all ur tallent from
Fri Nov 4 20:38:20 2005

Pat Jones, Builth
I taught Mark in Irfon Valley. He never stopped talking.
Fri Jul 1 07:57:09 2005

Jim From Gwenddwr
MARK IS GREAT, PITY ABOUT THE INJURIES
Fri Jan 28 14:04:46 2005

x irfon valley student
I remember mark playing in primary with another contender for Mid Wales Hall of Fame... Gethin (Ginger Church) Davies. There was one memorable season when mark scored in 2 games 18 tries but it should be mentioned that the GINGE scored 10!!! This has never really been acknowleged but I feel a mention should be made. Mark and Ginge still train together to this day but Ginge is now a star in the Kickboxing world. Builth and Irfon Valley has in fact 2 superstars to be proud of. On a final note Mavis (Chris) Davies, the fastest talking auctioneer ever to be heard, is a regular for Builth. What a school Irfon VAlley is!!
Mon Jan 26 19:56:00 2004

JP from Manila Philippines
I know Mark from high school we both were in the same year. I watched Wales play in this year's 'Rugby World Cup 2003' He deserves everything he has achieved and may more achievements come his way on and off the pitch. Mark Jones he is an excelent role model for all aspiring young welsh rugby players.
Thu Nov 13 03:32:46 2003

shell from builth wells
hi i like mark jones, im in highschool now and a girl in my class is related 2 him. i never knew that he was from builth until she told me !! im really suprised that builth could be talked about on the web so much!!
Sat Nov 8 22:31:01 2003

A good friend
Mark loves his home town and feels he is representing the town every time he plays,He is also very grateful for the support he receives and wants to thank every one.
Sat Nov 8 11:36:43 2003

Rach from Newbridge on Wye
Mark Jones is da best rugby player from Powys eva! Betta than Jeremy Pugh
Mon Oct 13 09:31:14 2003

Avril York from Builth Wells
Everybody around here calls him 'Mark Ty Mawr' which is the name of the farm where he grew up."
Mon Oct 13 09:30:42 2003

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