Jones warns of wily Welsh wind-ups
EDDIE Jones has placed England on alert for any scheming from wily Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones when the Guinness Six Nations title rivals clash in Cardiff on Saturday.
Jones has warned his players about the prospect of being targeted with wind-ups by the Lions second row, who on the most recent visit to the Principality Stadium two years ago repeatedly niggled Kyle Sinckler.
The provocation had the desired effect as Sinckler eventually conceded two penalties in quick succession, leading to a pivotal shift in momentum and the red rose prop’s substitution on the hour mark of the 21-13 defeat.
England’s head coach insists that armed with the knowledge of what is coming, his team must show composure when it arises.
“It’s his 146th Test so he knows what he’s doing. He’s an experienced campaigner who has a good relationship with the referees,” Jones said.
“At times he has targeted players in our team. We’ve spoken about him and we understand what he’ll be trying to do. It’s just about making sure we maintain our composure and our control.
“We are evolving into a more street-smart team, but the game is about pressure situations. While we all like to think we can handle every pressure situation, we don’t and that is the great thing about the game of rugby.
“I’m sure Alun Wyn Jones is going to be looking for those situations and we’re going to have to deal with them.”
Meanwhile, Wayne Pivac
believes that the Wales captain is “getting better with age” as he prepares to make a remarkable 23rd appearance of his stellar international career.
Jones will lead Wales into Saturday’s Principality Stadium showdown, having featured in more Anglo-Welsh encounters than against any other opponent during a world record 154 Tests for his country and the British and Irish Lions.
And approaching six months into his 36th year, Ospreys lock Jones is once again at the core of Wales’ latest attempt to beat their fiercest rivals.
“On the Tuesday afternoon [of a Test week] when we get a bit physical, Al really leads from the front,” Wales head coach Pivac said. “Al is definitely a barometer from a coaching point of view. You hear me say it a lot, but he is getting better with age.
“I know that Al’s focus and leadership within the training sessions, in the classroom and when we are having discussions, is all around how we can improve our performance, how individuals can prepare well.”