Sunday 8 January 2017 16:03, UK
Harlequins have paid tribute to player-coach Adam Jones after his formidable display in wholly unexpected circumstances on Saturday.
The former Wales prop was back in his homeland after being told he would not be needed for Aviva Premiership game against Sale.
But when forwards coach Graham Rowntree was unable to make the game, he was phoned at 11.30am and asked to race down the M4 to look after the pack.
Then, when England prop Joe Marler felt something wrong with his calf during the pre-match warm-up, Jones realised he might be required to play too, and was named on the bench.
Within 20 minutes he was on the pitch, Will Collier had suffered what transpired to be a broken ankle and loosehead Owen Evans was also forced off, so on came the veteran.
And he helped his team to a 29-26 win which puts them seventh in the table.
"Adam was phoned at 11:30am because unfortunately Graham Rowntree couldn't make it," Harlequins boss John Kingston said. "He drove up and he took on the forwards coach position, and he took the warm-up until he realised he was going to have to warm up himself.
"I've been working in this industry for 20 years and I don't think I know a more professional man."