Jones hopes Gatland says no to England
WALES’S Grand Slam-winning captain Alun Wyn Jones would not begrudge Warren Gatland moving to England after the World Cup — but hopes he doesn’t.
Gatland has been linked with a move to England after this year’s World Cup, when the New Zealander will finally stand down after 11 years coaching Wales.
Having won a record three Six Nations Grand Slams, his skipper Jones hopes Gatland’s loyalty to his adopted country counts in the end.
‘I think we have got him residency now haven’t we? So he can’t!’ said Jones. ‘In professional sport you never say never, like I said he has more than a bit of work to do still.
‘I am sure he’ll have a bit of time off, and then decide what he wants to do. If he does we wish him well.’
When a fan at an event in Cardiff Bay to celebrate the Grand Slam shouted at Gatland: ‘Don’t go to England,’ he replied: ‘I’d never be allowed back across the Severn Bridge! I’m going to finish the World Cup and take a break. Then, with a bit of luck, somebody offers me a job.’
Jones, 33, reckons Gatland will be in contention to complete the southern hemisphere trio of Lions tours. Gatland was the head coach in Australia in the 2013 series win and for the New Zealand series draw in 2017, so with South Africa next in 2021 he would seem the perfect man.
‘When you have the experiences he has had in the last campaigns in particular with the Lions, his name is going to be bandied about in those realms,’ added Jones, who has played in the last nine Lions Tests across three tours since 2009.
After winning 14 Tests in a row, and conquering Europe, Gatland believes they can win the World Cup in Japan in November.
‘I promise you these guys will give 100 per cent in every game at the World Cup and if we play as well as we have for the last year, we can bring home the World Cup,’ he said.
Gatland’s side provide four men on the shortlist for the Six Nations 2019 Player of the Championship, including captain Jones, Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Hadleigh Parkes. England, meanwhile, have Jonny May, and back-rower Tom Curry on the shortlist.