THIS IS NOT THE END
Jones, 36, tipped to make World Cup after set-back
ALUN WYN JONES has been ruled out of the Six Nations – but is still being backed to make the 2023 World Cup.
The Wales captain will have surgery on the shoulder he injured in winning his 149th cap for his country against the All Blacks last Saturday and, at 36, time is not on his side for an international return.
But South Africa’s Schalk Brits played at the last World Cup at 38 and Wales coach Wayne Pivac believes Jones can do the same.
“I don’t think he’ll be available for the Six Nations,” said Pivac. “He’s going to have surgery and be out for a number of months. He will be back before the end of the season at some stage.
“The intention is to see if Al can get to the World Cup. It’s a realistic goal personally. I don’t see anything going anywhere near backwards in terms of his performances. It’s not ideal for him – we were all looking forward to him playing 150 Test matches for Wales – but that is still a goal and I’m sure he’ll get there.”
Jones’ absence leaves a huge leadership void and, while centre Jonathan Davies will take over as captain against South Africa tomorrow, Pivac says the burden of responsibility will be shared.
“The essence is on others to step up and take that role on,” he said. “There’s still plenty of experience there but it is removing the main man, if you like, and it’s a collective that’ll take over from where Alun Wyn left off.”
With Ken Owens in a race to be fit for the final match of the Autumn Nations Cup campaign against Australia in a fortnight, Wales will instead turn to Lions pair Adam Beard and Dan Biggar to help steer the ship in Cardiff against a powerful Boks line-up. Biggar’s return is one of six changes after the 54-16 thumping by the All Blacks, with Louis Rees-Zammit and Nick Tompkins also included now English-based players are available again with the Test inside the official window.
Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins will start his first Test for three years at No.6 after missing 26 months with a serious knee injury sustained in a man-of-thematch performance against tomorrow’s opponents.
“It’s not really going to the script we had planned – he’s more of a seven – but we’re just pleased he’s back in,” said Pivac.
South African-born hooker Bradley Roberts is set to make his debut off the bench.
“We are going to see him on the biggest stage. We are going to learn a lot and he’s going to learn a lot,” said Pivac.