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On and off the field he has been a major influence on a generation of Welsh players and a great role model. Jones will join Dai Young's coaching team at London Wasps from next season, having decided that the time is right for him to retire.
He is likely to play a signficant role in Wasps' Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against three-time Heineken Cup champions, Leinster Rugby, at Adams Park on Friday, 5 April, as well as in the club's drive for a high finish in the Aviva Premiership.
Jones will retire having achieved a huge amount in the game at club and international level and with a stellar career behind him. The 104-time capped Jones represented the Scarlets and ASM Clermont Auvergne before joining London Wasps, and his impressive accolades also include six test matches for the British and Irish Lions as a double tourist in 2005 and 2009.
Jones has played an important role for London Wasps on and off the pitch this season and will continue to be a key figure for the rest of the season. His enthusiasm and positivity has been his trademark in an incredible career, one of the greatest number 10s of all time, and having made 11 appearances so far for Wasps this season, he has played a significant role in the club's recent upturn of fortunes.
Jones said: "I feel incredibly lucky to have played for some fantastic sides down through the years and I feel the time is right for me now to make the transition into coaching, which is what I have always wanted to do. There is an opportunity for me to do that at London Wasps and I am very excited about the next step of my career.
"I want to say a huge thanks to everyone at the Scarlets, Clermont Auvergne and London Wasps - and I feel grateful to have worn three fantastic professional club shirts in my career. I also feel honoured to have pulled on the Wales and British and Irish Lions shirts and I appreciate everyone involved in those sides as well as the supporters who have been there and backed me throughout my playing days. I am taking with me some incredible memories and experiences."
London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: "I always thought Stephen would make an excellent coach and everything I have seen of him this season backs that up. It is sad to see him retire but what we are losing on the field we are gaining off it. I have always admired Stephen's tactical nous and I think he will be an excellent member of our coaching team. In the meantime we have some massive games coming up and Stephen is going to play a big part as a player in the coming months."
