Alun Wyn steps down as skipper

JUSTIN Tipuric will lead the Ospreys in the coming season, taking over from Alun Wyn Jones, who has stepped down after a marathon stint of eight years and 115 appearances as skipper at the Liberty.

The 32-year-old Jones returning to the ranks signals the start of a new era at the Liberty.

The lock assumed command at the age of just 24 in 2010 after Ryan Jones moved aside following a three-year stint in the job. The Ospreys won a league title in 2012, but in a belt-tightening era they have since relied heavily on AWJ to provide leadership on and off the field, and he hasn’t let them down.

He has captained the Ospreys more than double the number of times any one else has held the reins.

But Tipuric will be in charge for the new campaign.

He has a tough act to follow but at 29 he isn’t short of experience, having played 155 times for the Ospreys, won 57 caps for Wales and featured on two Lions tours, including one which saw him play in a Test.

The Trebanos product has led the Ospreys 27 times to date, starting when he filled the role at the age of 21 against Leinster in 2011, becoming the region’s second youngest ever captain in the process. He is respected in the squad and head coach Allen Clarke is in no doubt he will prove a success.

“A deep student of the game, Tips has a wonderful understanding of rugby, with a steely determination and skill set to match. He epitomises the past and what we aspire to be again,” said Clarke.

“I’ve no doubt he will receive the full backing of players, staff and supporters alike.”

The Northern Irishman continued: “We are fortunate to have a number of players in the environment who are leaders and captains. As well as Alun Wyn, who remains Wales captain, Dan Lydiate, Bradley Davies and Scott Williams have all captained their country, and Giorgi Nemsadze is the captain of Georgia, so Justin has plenty of experience to support him throughout this season and beyond.”

But the debt the Ospreys owe Jones for his efforts as leader is incalculable.

It hasn’t just been his record-breaking endurance with the armband that stands out. He has also done so much to hold the Ospreys togeether.

When big names were leaving the Liberty in droves, Jones chose to stick with his home region and provide a strong lead. Without him, the Ospreys would have endured a far more turbulent time than they have experienced since 2013.

It is hard to think of any skipper in the modern game who has led a team for so long, and he vacates the role having come to the conclusion the time was right to do so.

“Alun Wyn is a proud Osprey who has led the team with great honour from the front since 2010 both as a player and as an ambassador,” said Clarke.

“In Justin we have another world-class player who leads by example on and off the field.”