Adam Jones' Wales omission 'shocking', says Peter Rogers

Adam Jones' omission from the Wales Six Nations squad was "a real mistake", former Wales prop Peter Rogers says.

Jones, 33, announced his retirement from international rugby after being left out, having also not been picked for the autumn Test series.

"It's shocking how it's all happened and it's not just that, it's a shame. He has got a lot to offer," said Rogers, 46, who was capped 18 times.

Cardiff Blues tight-head Jones won 95 Wales caps, his last in June 2014.

His Test future was cast in doubt after he was replaced by Samson Lee after just 30 minutes of that final game - a 38-16 defeat by South Africa - having struggled in the scrum.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland picked uncapped Rob Evans, the Wales Under-20 loose-head, Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Lee and Scott Andrews as his props for the Six Nations.

Gatland said there had been "a long debate" about leaving out Jones and that the tight-head was on injury standby.

However, Rogers says there should have been a place for Jones in the squad as Wales build towards the World Cup, which starts in September.

"It was a real mistake... he's got a lot to offer the game," he said.

Peter Rogers celebrates as Wales beat South Africa for the first time in 1999

"You do not go from being one of the best tight-heads in world rugby 12 months ago to not being able to get in the Wales team, especially in a World Cup year.

"I can't see Gatland's thinking on it. To me, it's just another part of the whole demeaning of the scrum within the professional game, from coaches to the top commentators," he added.

"It's as if it's not wanted anymore but every single team that's won a World Cup has had the most dominant scrum and we're in a World Cup year.

"The scrum is still a big part of the game and Adam's got those skills that we need to get his part of the scrum up on the right side so that we can attack."

Jones, who played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions over two tours, has said he intends to become a coach once he finishes playing and Rogers expects him to be in demand, but does not understand why Wales are not using his experience now.

"I just don't understand with such a technical team that the Wales management have we're not using it and he's the man to deliver that," Rogers said.

"He could help Samson Lee along... and I don't understand why he's not even in that squad.

"It's a shame for him because, reading between the lines, he would have been happy being number two in that Wales squad, helping bring Samson Lee along."

He added Jones was probably feeling a bit hurt after being left out.

"If I was him I'd feel insulted by the omission from the squad as it happened," Rogers said.

"It sounds like he's made his decision and he's going to stick to it and at the end of the day it's totally up to him if he wants to concentrate on his club rugby.

"Maybe now it's time for him to concentrate on a career as a scrum coach, because he would be one of the most highly prized scrum coaches of all."