Wales prop Adam Jones has announced his retirement from international rugby - just five days after being left out of Warren Gatland's squad for this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Jones, a triple Grand Slam winner who played in 95 Tests for Wales and five as a British and Irish Lion, has called time on his Test career at the age of 33.
He was also overlooked by Wales head coach Gatland for the autumn internationals earlier this season.
In a statement, Jones said: "This year, I promised myself that I would work as hard as possible and do everything within my power to get back into the Wales squad.
"Despite putting my all into this, it has become apparent that it wasn't enough.
"I feel like I am more than just injury cover, and have therefore decided to call it a day.
"It has been a tough week for me, but the support from the Welsh fans has been overwhelming, just as it has been ever since my first cap."
Gatland paid tribute to Jones' efforts and success in the Wales shirt.
"I want to thank Adam for his achievement in winning 95 caps for Wales and earning five test appearances for the British and Irish Lions," said Gatland.
"I feel like I am more than just injury cover, and have therefore decided to call it a day" - Adam Jones
"There is no doubt that Adam has played a huge part in Wales' success. He has three Grand Slams and a Championship to his name. That is an unbelievable record.
"He made a big impact and contribution on the international stage and we all wish him well for his future career with the Cardiff Blues.”
Scarlets forward Samson Lee, 11 years Jones' junior, has established himself as Wales' first-choice tighthead, with Aaron Jarvis and Scott Andrews also named among a 34-man Six Nations party.
Before the squad was announced, Jones had been strongly backed to earn a recall, especially when Scarlets forward Rhodri Jones was ruled out of the entire Six Nations tournament due to a shoulder injury.
After announcing the squad, Gatland said that Jones was still in the frame for a possible recall ahead of the World Cup, but Jones said he that he made up his mind before Christmas that he would step down from the international scene if he failed to make the Six Nations cut.
"I was gutted to miss out on the autumn," Jones told the Sunday Times.
"I told myself then that I would train as hard as I can and get as fit as I can. If it didn't happen, then I'll call it a day."
He added: "It's obviously not the way I would want to finish, it's not how I planned it in my head, and I hope no-one thinks I am simply quitting."
Jones pointed to the disappointments of being dropped for the match against Scotland at the end of last year's Six Nations, and his "30-minute match" in South Africa in the summer, when he was replaced by Samson Lee after half an hour.
That 38-16 first Test defeat against South Africa in Durban last summer has transpired to be Jones' 95th and final game for his country.
He is, though, set to continue playing for the Blues. Jones was part of the side that secured a European Challenge Cup quarter-final place on Saturday by defeating Grenoble 28-3 in France.
Jones, meanwhile, said he had no issue with Gatland, beyond believing he still should be in the Wales squad.
"Warren is the man who came in and saved me, he gave me a kick up the (backside), so he has been a massive influence on me, and I'm very grateful," Jones added.
"I don't agree with what he's done now, I don't agree with him not picking me. But he's got to pick who he thinks is best."
