AWJ BREAKS S RECORD AS WALES FACE SCOTLAND
THE Welsh Government have denied a request from the Welsh Rugby Union to allow captain Alun Wyn Jones’ family to be present when he creates history tomorrow.
Wales face Scotland behind closed doors at Parc y Scarlets tomorrow and when he leads his side out, Jones will became the most-capped international rugby player of all time, eclipsing a record previously held by All Black great Richie McCaw.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no fans present to cheer Wales on and Jones’ family will also have to watch on TV.
The nation is in the middle of 17-day ‘firebreak’ lockdown as the Welsh Government attempts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
People are being told to stay at home and only leave for essential reasons - things like food, exercise, childcare support and medical supplies.
Special dispensation was sought from the government to allow Jones’ family to travel to Llanelli for the game, but it was not granted.
“The question was asked,” said Jones. “Had it been different, a normal occasion, we would have cracked on and nothing would have been said.
“Permission was asked from the government for an exceptional circumstance, but in the grand scheme, one day in a lifetime is nothing considering we are in a hard lockdown and large parts of Wales were in local lockdowns before that.
“Our families are very understanding and the difficult part of it is, if this was an away game it would be easy to take in many ways, but the fact it’s at home and we can’t have fans, we can’t have family, it is what it is.
“The ability to just have the game is far and away the overriding pleasing point of it all.”
On the role his family have played in his remarkable career, he added: “When you move up the ladder of elite sport the support you have is second to none - particularly with what we have at the WRU.
“It is a credit to my parents and my family for being the backstop when there is injury or decisions to be made on where, what, who you play for.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have my mum, my sister and my dad - when he was around - and then my wife and the girls.
“They have definitely kept me grounded these last few years as they are maturing faster than ever!
“I can’t say enough about my family, as when I do finish they will still be there and the game will move on. I’m all too aware of that.”
Jones’ father, Tim, died almost exactly four years ago to the day.
When he trots out onto the pitch for the 149th time at international level, Jones will be unrivalled in terms of experience and caps.
But in typical fashion, the 35-year-old was in no mood to be particularly concerned with accolades.
“You are only as good as your last one,” said Jones.
“I have been fortunate to have the opportunity.
“I ultimately don’t feel worthy to be mentioned in the same sentence of some of those people you are alluding to.
“I am just conscious who I do it for, what I do it for and where I am from and I will treat Saturday in the same vein.”
Throughout the early part of the campaign, Jones has been very aware of the role the side have to play in lifting the spirits of the nation during what have been difficult times for many.
The matches have provided some escapism for some during what have been extremely trying times.
“Obviously we are in a lockdown and can’t get people there in the stands,” he said.
“More so in amateur rugby, the amount of people who could be involved in all age ranges.
“So for us to carry the torch in these times when people can’t do it is a privilege more so than in usual times, because we are the only people doing it at the minute.
“The public health position must take precedence during this firebreak period and exceptions cannot be allowed,” was the official response from the Welsh Government yesterday when contacted by WalesOnline. Wales: L Halfpenny; L Williams, Jo Davies, O Watkin, J Adams; D Biggar, G Davies; R Carre, R Elias, T Francis; W Rowlands, A W Jones (C); S Lewis-Hughes, J Tipuric, T Faletau. Reps: S Parry, W Jones, D Lewis, C Hill, Ja Davies, L Williams, R Patchell, N Tompkins. Scotland: S Hogg (c); D Graham, C Harris, J Lang, B Kinghorn: F Russell, A Price; R Sutherland, F Brown, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, J Gray, J Ritchie, H Watson, B Thomson. Reps: S McInally, O Kebble, S Berghan, B Toolis, C Du Preez, S Steele, A Hastings, D Van der Merwe.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire). Kick-off: 2.15pm.
TV: BBC1, S4C, 1.45pm