British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones retires from Wales duty

Adam Jones won the 2013 Six Nations title with Wales, as well as three Grand Slams in 2005, 2008 and 2012

Wales and British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones has retired from international rugby.

Jones, 33, made 95 appearances for Wales, winning three Grand Slams.

The Cardiff Blues man was left out of Wales' Six Nations squad, having been omitted for the 2014 autumn series.

"It's obviously not the way I would want to finish, it's not how I planned it in my head, and I hope no-one thinks I am simply quitting," Jones told The Sunday Times.

Jones' last appearance for Wales was the 38-16 defeat by South Africa in the first Test of their June 2014 tour.

His Test future was cast in doubt after he was replaced by Samson Lee after just 30 minutes of that game, having struggled in the scrum.

"It started when I got dropped for the last game of the 2014 Six Nations [against Scotland].

"I was still pretty happy with the way everything was going, and I was thinking that I'd get back in. Then there was the '30-minute match' in South Africa."

It was a disappointing end to a glittering international career, which began with a debut against England at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.

Adam Jones leaves the field after his first-half substitution during the 38-16 defeat to South Africa in 2014

The former Neath and Ospreys player toured with the Lions in 2009 and 2013, making five Test appearances to take his international tally to 100.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland had placed Jones on standby for the Six Nations in case of injury, saying the door was open for him to force his way back into the squad for the World Cup.

But Jones says that he made up his mind before Christmas that if he was not chosen for the squad he would retire.

"I was gutted to miss out on the autumn," he added.

"I told myself then that I would train as hard as I can and get as fit as I can. If it didn't happen, then I'll call it a day.

"It was becoming too hard on the family, my parents and [wife] Nicole."

Jones is set to continue playing for Cardiff Blues, who he joined on a one-year deal in August 2014 after his Ospreys contract expired.

And despite being overlooked for recent squads, he has no bitterness towards Gatland.

"Warren is the man who came in and saved me, he gave me a kick up the [backside] so he's been a massive influence on me, and I'm very grateful," said Jones.

"I don't agree with what he's done now, I don't agree with him not picking me. But he's got to pick who he thinks is best."

Adam Jones (left) and Ryan Jones (right) celebrate their third Grand Slam with Wales in 2012