Alun Wyn can be our Johnno
REPORTS ALUN WYN JONES has been backed to bring to Wales what Martin Johnson did to England after taking over the captaincy from Sam Warburton.
The Ospreys second row was confirmed as skipper for the Six Nations, bringing an end to Warburton’s 49 games in charge.
While the switch will leave Warburton vulnerable to the challenge of Justin Tipuric – and the uncapped Thomas Young – for his place, it will give Wales a hard, street-smart lead, according to defence coach Shaun Edwards.
“Alun Wyn Jones is a man you want to follow into battle. He’s one of the few players in our team guaranteed their place at the moment. He’s a stand-out performer and that obviously had an impact on the decision,” said Edwards.
“He’s an incredible athlete and he has a great rugby brain as well. Let’s be honest, that doesn’t happen very often. To have such size, power and speed and also be such an intelligent rugby player means he has the full box of tricks. He is undoubtedly one of our world-class players.
“All the best captains have a competitive edge where they’re desperate to win. “What you have to take into consideration with Alun Wyn Jones is he doesn’t just do that with Wales, he does it with the Ospreys too – and that’s what the greatest of great players do. “Martin Johnson did it, Lawrence Dallaglio did it and Alun Wyn Jones does it. They take club rugby as seriously as international rugby and that’s something to be admired. “He was the captain in the third Test of a Lions series, he has won three Six Nations and the Pro12 with the Ospreys. He’s not doing too bad, is he? I’d put him in that category.” Warburton’s return to the ranks makes it less than certain he will be in the starting line-up when Wales face Italy on February 5. Tipuric is in top form and the emergence of Wasps’ Young, one of seven uncapped players in the squad, adds to the back-row competition. Warburton’s best hope of a place is a move to the No6 jersey, although even that does not bring a guaranteed spot. “It is best for Sam to get his mojo back and play to the best of his ability. Sam agreed,” said Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley.
“There’s freshness too in the squad, with seven uncapped players and it will be exciting to see how they perform.”
The newcomers include Ospreys flanker Olly Cracknell, Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt, Scarlets wing Steff Evans and Leicester’s Gloucester-bound fly-half Owen Williams.
Williams, Young, Ross Moriarty, Tom Francis, Luke Charteris and Leigh Halfpenny are exempt from Wales’ overseas-based player ceiling as they started their contracts before ‘Gatland’s Law’ was introduced. The three players who fall under the Senior Player Selection Policy are Bath’s Taulupe Faletau, Jamie Roberts of Harlequins and Northampton’s George North.
Wales’ concerns over the latest concussion suffered by North have been allayed by the player. “It’s come from the horse’s mouth that he wasn’t knocked out. What he was scared about was he feared he might have done something to his back or neck. That’s why he stayed still,” said Edwards.
England are set to scrub Sale captain Josh Beaumont from their initial Six Nations plans with the second row set to be out for another three weeks with a shoulder injury.
Former England back-row Calum Clark is to join Saracens next season, with Northampton team-mate Ethan Waller also departing to join Worcester.
WALES SQUAD – Backs: