Queen’s Birthday Honours for rugby quartet
WALES captain Alun Wyn Jones, former skipper Gareth Thomas, ex-head coach Warren Gatland and former England captain Sue Day are among the recipients of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
British and Irish Lion Jones, who has won a record 138 caps for Wales, becomes an OBE for services to rugby.
Thomas, who has also led the Lions, receives the higher CBE award for services to sport and health.
Gatland becomes a CBE for services to rugby in Wales after a 12-year reign which yielded three Grand Slams.
Day has been awarded an MBE for services to gender equality in sport.
Now chief operations and financial officer at the RFU, Day has been a passionate advocate and pioneer of the women’s game.
She said: “I’m honoured to receive this award and also humbled as I am acutely aware that I am just one of a whole movement of people working incredibly hard to drive the progress of women’s sport and women’s rugby.”
New Zealander Gatland, who also guided Wales to two World Cup semi-finals before stepping down from his role in 2019, said: “I am incredibly honoured,” said Gatland.
“This award is recognition of everyone involved in Welsh rugby and all that we achieved together during my time as head coach.
“Rugby is a huge part of my life and has given me so much joy as a player, a father to a rugby-playing son and also as a coach.”
The only player to feature in all three of Gatland’s Six Nations Grand Slams with Wales in 2008, 2012 and 2019 was Jones.
The Ospreys lock, 35, has also made nine Test appearances for the Lions over the course of three tours, captaining them to victory in the decisive third Test against Australia in 2013.
“It is a huge honour to receive such an accolade,” said Jones. “It is recognition for everyone that has supported me from grassroots and intermediate, to professional and international rugby.”
Thomas is recognised for his work outside of rugby as well as his exploits as a player.
The 46-year-old former Wales and Lions captain revealed in 2019 that he was HIV positive and has campaigned for several causes since retiring.