Robert Nicholas Jones was born in Trebanos on 10 November 1965 and educated at Cwmtawe Comprehensive School. Famed for his quick passing and accurate kicking, he played in 54 internationals, five as captain, for Wales between 1986 and 1995. He made 286 appearances for the Swansea club, where he was captain from 1989 to 1991, and later played for Bristol, Western Province in South Africa, and Cardiff. On two British Isles tours to Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993 he made 13 appearances, including three tests in 1989. Robert Jones captained the Barbarians to victory against Argentina in 1990 and South Africa in 1994 and also led the club against East Midlands in 1996.