Alun Wyn’s a ‘rugby freak’, says Sir Clive
ENGLAND World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has dubbed Alun Wyn Jones a ‘rugby freak.’
He insists the Welsh colossus is a genuine Lions captaincy contender against South Africa next summer, even though he will be nearing 36 by the time of the tour.
Woodward reckons Warren Gatland has three choices for skipper Jones and the England pair of Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell.
He just comes down in favour of Itoje, who was Jones’ second row partner in the drawn campaign with New Zealand three years ago.
But Woodward maintains Jones is still firmly in the mix and is adamant age has nothing to do with it in his case.
If anything, stressed Woodward, Jones is getting better as the years go on and has the experience of 138 Wales Tests and nine Lions appearances behind him.
“I think the Lions are spoilt for choice over captaincy,” said Woodward.
“Of course, there’s Alun Wyn Jones and I’m immediately assuming he will be going. He’s just a freakish player, he’s so good, and he even seems to be getting better the older he gets.”
Speaking in a Q&A webinar with former England rugby team media director Richard Prescott for the Teddington Nub News, Woodward continued: “Alun Wyn Jones has got to be one, and Maro Itoje definitely, even though he’s not captaining England at the moment.
“I think he’s such a quality guy, and there’s Owen Farrell.
“Warren Gatland is in such a strong position and it will clearly be a very strong Lions team next summer. You can base that on England getting to the World Cup final and Wales making that semi-final.
“Regards the captaincy they’re the three standout characters and if you asked me for a name then Maro would be my choice at this stage.
“I just think he would do something differently. Farrell has captained England at a World Cup as has Alun Wyn Jones.
“Maro was superb in New Zealand, I can still remember the fans singing his name on the last tour. I think he’d do a great job and be a different voice because no-one has heard him before.
“Maro is young and exciting and going to be right up there.”
Woodward also put his neck on the line and admitted he’d love to see England full-back or wing Elliot Daly played in the centre alongside fellow countryman Manu Tuilagi.
“I’m interested in Elliot Daly and I’d love to see him play in the centre,” said Woodward.
“I just think we’ve got so many top wingers at the moment and I just think of Daly playing at 13. I have always been disappointed because we’ve never seen him in that position.”