Meg Jones wipes away tears as she reflects on a year marked by immense loss. Despite her grief, the England centre remains open about her struggles, knowing the importance of sharing love and vulnerability. Last year, both her parents passed away her Welsh father, Simon, from cancer in August, and her English mother, Paula, in December due to complications from alcoholism.
Her mother had battled with alcohol for years, often unable to express her emotions. Toward the end, Paula admitted she needed help, but her introverted nature and low self-esteem made it difficult for her to seek support. Jones recalls her mother’s beauty in youth and how she struggled with self-perception as she aged, a thought that brings fresh tears.
The Six Nations tournament is approaching, and a year ago, Jones received the devastating news of her father’s diagnosis. He came home from the hospital and, with blunt honesty, revealed that he had stage four cancer. Despite the crushing revelation, Jones delivered her best performances on the rugby field, helping England secure the grand slam. Her father remained her biggest supporter, attending the Wales v England match in Bristol, beaming with pride.
Jones’s last conversation with him was in his garage, where they discussed the cost of copper pipes, a moment filled with love and shared tears. Shortly after, she traveled to a music festival in Budapest, where she received the heartbreaking call from her sister, Abby, saying, “He’s gone, Meg.” His last words to Abby were characteristically blunt yet affectionate, a reflection of his humor and personality.
Following her father’s passing, Jones rejoined the England camp for the WXV tournament in Canada. Few knew what she was enduring, and when an ankle injury forced her out of the tournament, her teammates assumed her tears were for the injury, unaware of the deeper pain.
Her mother did not attend Simon’s funeral, triggering a mix of anger and sadness in Jones. Paula’s drinking had been a long-standing struggle, leading to a difficult childhood for her children. Jones remembers hearing heated arguments at night, only to be greeted by her mother’s casual demeanor the next morning.
A senior nurse for nearly 40 years, Paula was known for her expertise in the neuro ward, yet she struggled to care for herself. She cycled through periods of sobriety and relapse, making it painful for her children to watch. After surgery on her ankle, Jones took on the role of caretaker, feeding and bathing her mother, still clinging to hope. Paula, too, held onto the belief that there was still time for change, but addiction held a firm grip.
Jones sought guidance from The Living Room, a charity that supports those affected by addiction. The founder, a recovering alcoholic, offered assistance, and Paula agreed to meet him. However, just two days before their scheduled meeting, she passed away. The last time she reached out, it was to cancel, admitting she had been drinking again.
Guilt lingers in Jones, even though she knows she did all she could. She remembers a crucial moment in October when her mother had been sober for two weeks, a time filled with optimism. But then, a single bottle of Disaronno left in the fridge reignited the cycle. The last days were filled with desperation as Jones pleaded with paramedics to take her mother to the hospital, only for Paula to refuse, too proud to return to the place where she had once worked.
Now, Jones leans on therapy and rugby as she rebuilds her life. In a World Cup year, she is determined to use her experiences to inspire and connect with others. Returning to Cardiff to play against Wales will be an emotional challenge, but she hopes to channel it positively.
She acknowledges the inevitable emotional triggers Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays but sees them as moments for reflection. Recently, her grandmother passed away at 95, bringing yet another loss, but also memories of resilience.
Jones has embraced love and compassion, determined to tell those around her how much they mean to her. She hopes to work with The Living Room to support others facing similar struggles. Her journey is one of pain, but also of hope. Looking back at messages to her mother, she finds comfort in knowing she consistently expressed her love. That, she believes, is what truly matters.
