Gareth Jones (rugby union, born 1979)

Gareth Jones (4 December 1979 – 16 June 2008) was a Welsh rugby union player who played as a scrum-half for Neath rugby club until his death in 2008.

Gareth Jones

Birth name	Gareth Jones
Date of birth	(1979-12-04)4 December 1979
Place of birth	Pontypridd, Wales, UK
Date of death	16 June 2008(2008-06-16) (aged 28)
Place of death	University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight	11 st 10 lb (74 kg)
Occupation(s)	Painter and decorator
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Glyncoch () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2004–2006 2006–2008 Pontypridd Neath ()

Club career

Jones started his career with Glyncoch and then progressed to play for Beddau and Pontypridd, before making his debut for Neath in 2006 against Newport. He was also a part-time decorator.

Death

After sustaining an injury to his neck during a game against Cardiff in the Premier Division in a ruck on 20 April 2008, Jones was taken to the University Hospital of Wales for treatment. During his time there, he received operations and treatment to help with his injury, but died on the afternoon of 16 June.