Jones focused on slam after week of turmoil
Welsh captain wants his side to shrug off domestic woes and stay on track in Edinburgh today
Never mind “Project Reset” or “Project Inept” or whatever the warring factions are now calling the chaotic overhaul of Welsh rugby, Alun Wyn Jones strode on to Murrayfield for his captain’s run yesterday and announced the only project his team were focused on was continuing their winning run and giving themselves a shot at the Grand Slam in Cardiff next Saturday. Call it “Project Reward”.
In fact, Jones – the totemic lock who would set a national record today by appearing in a 62nd Welsh win – issued a warning for anyone who might believe the visitors’ minds could be elsewhere because of the turmoil at home (which has featured reports of the Ospreys closing, the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues merging, the Ospreys and the Scarlets merging and, most latterly, none of the above).
“You can use the word ‘galvanised’ because that’s what it’s felt like we have been this week,” he said. “Warren [Gatland, the coach] has been his unflappable self and has galvanised from the top down and the players have done it from the bottom up. And that’s what we have needed.
“It’s been nice to be able to have the outlet that is rugby and also have an away game, which has been a blessing in the last week. “
Jones was keen to stress that it was not just a case of “carry on regardless”, as they still want answers as to where their week-to-week livelihoods will come from next season. The 33-year-old is out of contract in November but, as a statesmanlike figure in the domestic game, he is also concerned for the squad players.
He is clearly confused as well as angry. “There are no words I can use about what has happened this week,” he said.
Yet Jones is determined the mess should not be ventured as an excuse if Gregor Townsend’s men were to end Wales’s triumphant streak at 12 games. Not by the players anyway. “Look, whatever career you are in, you always have other distractions,” Jones said. “We’ve got a lot of experienced players and we can’t forget that. Ultimately, we are not politicians, we are professional players, and we focus on the rugby. At the moment, that’s the easy bit.”
Not that Wales are expecting this Edinburgh encounter to be easy. Anything but. Granted, they have lost to Scotland only once in their past 12 meetings and an injury-ravaged Townsend team have hardly impressed so far in this Six Nations. But two years ago, the red shirts arrived in this capital full of confidence and, after leading at half-time, were walloped 29-13.
“I know we’ve played them twice at home since then, but they call this ‘Fortress Murrayfield’ don’t they?” Jones said. “They’re building a massive reputation about how unwelcoming it can be here. And Finn [Russell, the No 10] is back [from a head injury]. Scotland are one of the most innovative teams in world rugby at the moment and Finn is at the forefront. He has a bag of tricks and can turn a game on a sixpence.”
The forecast conditions would certainly not help Scotland in this regard and do not be surprised to see Wales keep it tight. They are adamant they over-played in the wind and rain in Paris last month – where they conceded a first-half advantage before hitting back – and a stuttering 26-15 victory over Italy the next weekend hardly seemed to help their chances.
But their performance against England two weeks ago was at a different level and, even though Jones claimed “we’re operating well but are not at out our full potential”, a similar display should comfortably be enough.
As well as the heavier artillery in the front five, they seem to have a marked advantage in the back row and midfield. Win No13 would set up a grandstand finish against Ireland at home next Saturday, although the ramifications of what a first loss in more than a year would mean is the greater motivation.
With no disrespect intended to Italy or Scotland, England’s next two opponents, Wales are anticipating Eddie Jones’s men reaching 20 points. That means Gatland and the squad believe they are in “allor-nothing” territory.
For the Kiwi, this would make it 11 out of 11 as Wales coach against Scotland. As soon as they beat England, Gatland reminded everyone that he was with the British and Irish Lions two years ago and that his assistant, Rob Howley, was in temporary command that day.
That statement would hardly have endeared him to the Scottish, although it is difficult to believe they could think much less of Gatland. He picked only two Scots for the 2017 Lions tour, despite them humbling not only Wales but Ireland that year, and Gatland has uttered enough comments which they could perceive to be dismissive to render this personal.
How the home crowd would celebrate seeing him beaten in his last Six Nations game – with Wales anyway – in Edinburgh. How they would love to watch Gatland’s farewell Grand Slam derailed and take themselves out of the woodenspoon picture. “Project Revenge” maybe?