Warren Gatland hails ‘incredibly special’ send-off for legendary Wales trio :

Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny, who made 352 Test appearances between them, were given a fitting farewell from Test rugby as Wales sealed a 49-26 triumph over the Barbarians at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Full-back Halfpenny, who played for Wales, received a prolonged standing ovation from the capacity crowd of 53,000 spectators when he left the field 13 minutes from time.

The match which was billed as a tribute match, saw Halfpenny finishing with a 10-point haul courtesy of five conversions – while second-row Jones, who was awarded the official player-of-the-match awards, captained the Barbarians outfit which also had back-row Tipuric as one of his team-mates.

Halfpenny is now set to further his career in the southern hemisphere, with Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders believed to be his next port of call, while Jones is currently on the books of Top 14 heavyweights Toulon and Tipuric remains a leading figure for the Ospreys.

Plenty of praise from Gatland

“For the three of them, to have that game here in the stadium was incredibly special,” said Gatland. “I thought the crowd were amazing in recognising that as well.

“I thought ‘Tips’ played well today, he caused us a few problems at the breakdown. I said that to him afterwards and he said ‘there’s still life in the old boy yet’.

“Al (Jones) as well. It was an entertaining game, and in fairness to them they put us under some pressure.

“We talked about leaving Leigh on for 80 minutes, but then there was an opportunity to bring him off. I thought the ovation he got is testament to him not just as a rugby player, but as a person.”

Hooker Dewi Lake, wing Tom Rogers and fly-half Sam Costelow crossed for first half tries for Wales in their final match before they kick off their 2024 Six Nations campaign in Cardiff against Scotland on February 3.

The Baa-baas fought back though as Fiji scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli crossed for two tries, before Jones also dotted down in the second half, which meant Wales held a slender two-point lead, with Nicolas Sanchez adding two conversions.

However, Wales finished stronger as replacements Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright and Kieran Hardy (2) scored further five-pointers, with Halfpenny and Cai Evans each adding two conversions, while Barbarians flanker Tom Hooper also dotted down with Ben Donaldson adding the extras.

“To score 49 points, you’ve got to be pretty happy. We probably left a few out there in the first half, with some of the opportunities we created,” Gatland added.

“We scrummaged well, the lineout was outstanding today – both defensively and on attack. As the game went on, we grew into it.

“There were times where I thought we defended well and didn’t give them opportunities. But there were also times when we came under some pressure with their off-loading game and we were stressed.

Pleased with his players

“I am pleased where we are, I am pleased with this group…