Fans stuck at home are still an inspiration, says Jones
Alun Wyn Jones says Wales will be fuelled by the absence of their supporters as they seek to complete the Grand Slam tonight.
Covid-19 has meant this would be a Grand Slam unlike any of the other three Jones has experienced. Ordinarily, thousands of Welsh supporters would have been expected to travel to Paris for a Grand Slam decider; instead, the pandemic means the match will be staged behind closed doors.
Jones admits the circumstances are jarring, but he and his teammates will still take inspiration from the fans watching at home.
“It’s not lost on you,” Jones said. “To be able to do it in Millennium Stadium when there are 75,000, or however many people watching on TV… I think the TV audience is going to be relatively high in Wales at the weekend. You become very aware of that.
“The privilege and sense of pride we have in representing Wales has been accentuated by the off-field situation. We’ve said it from the start of the international season in the autumn. I as an individual, and the team, have not needed reminding of what everyone is facing and what we are representing. It’s very different to ones we’ve experienced in the
They win the title if they beat Wales and then Scotland on Friday, but only if Wales do not gain a bonus point today. If they win both games but claim only one bonus point, the title would come down to points difference. past for obvious reasons, but inside the camp there are a few of us that are fortunate enough to have been involved in this before.
“There is an overriding sense of anticipation and excitement.”
France’s title hopes took a dent after defeat by England, but they can still clinch the championship, trailing Wales by eight points with two games remaining, including next week’s postponed fixture against Scotland.