The RFL pays tribute to Lewis Jones

The RFL, on behalf of the entire Rugby League community, offers condolences to the family and friends of the late Lewis Jones, one of our game’s all-time greats, who has died at the age of 92.

A dual-code international, Jones represented Wales in both Rugby League and Union, before going on to win 15 Great Britain caps between 1954-57, including touring in 1954 and playing in the 1957 World Cup in Australia.

Jones will also be remembered in Rugby League as a Leeds legend between the years of 1952-64, where he made 385 appearances for the side, kicking 1,244 goals and producing a total of 2,920 points. He became the first ever Leeds player to score over 1,000 goals for the West Yorkshire club.

He was an integral part of Leeds' success during this period, famous for his attacking play and producing moments of magic. This included captaining Leeds to their first ever Championship title in the 1960-61 season, with a 25-10 victory over Warrington in the Championship Final played at Odsal Stadium. Contributing with a try and five goals, Jones ensured he would become the first Leeds captain ever to collect their well-awaited Championship Trophy.

He played his final game for Leeds on Easter Monday 1964, before moving to Wentworthville, in the Sydney area, as player-coach, where he enjoyed a successful stint. Jones then returned to Leeds in 1972 - taking over First Team duties briefly at Dewsbury during 1977-78.

He was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2013, the sport’s most illustrious recognition of on-field excellence, before being one of the first players inducted into the Leeds Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017. Lewis is also an inductee into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame Roll of Honour.

RFL CEO Tony Sutton said: “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Rugby League Hall of Fame member Lewis Jones and our thoughts are with Lewis’s family and friends.

"Lewis will forever be remembered as a true sporting great, a player who came to Rugby League after a successful career in Welsh rugby union to establish himself as a great of his adopted code with Leeds, Wales and Great Britain.

“As well an outstanding player, Lewis will be remembered by many as a lovely man and a great champion of our sport.”