Jones: Injuries or not, failure not an option
ALUN Wyn Jones believes the experience of head coach Warren Gatland can help Wales defy a host of injuries and keep them in contention for a first Six Nations title since 2013.
Gatland is set to be without seven British & Irish Lions for Saturday’s tournament opener with Scotland, first-choice stars Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams and Rhys Webb already on the sidelines.
It leaves Wales – who will be captained by Jones – up against it. The iconic lock nonetheless believes Gatland’s presence can give his team an advantage.
“Warren brings experience. He knows what it takes to win and those standards are set by insisting failure is not an option,” Jones told The Rugby Paper.
“It’s not that we’ve had failures in the past, but the trend is set at the top and there are a few of us who have been involved in the squad long enough to know what to expect. It’s up to people like myself to make sure those standards are clear and ensure they’re passed down.”
Wales are 15/1 to win this year’s tournament and injuries haven’t helped their cause.
But Jones added: “We have certainly created opportunities in our last few matches and in the autumn we felt there were two instances – one in the New Zealand game and one against Australia – where the matches turned and got away from us.
“We need to stop those instances happening and Warren has the tools to help us do that.”
While Gatland has been hit hard by a host of front-line absentees, Dragons centre Tyler Morgan hopes to give the New Zealander a fitness boost.
Morgan expects to return to action early in February and believes he can feature at some point in the Six Nations.
The 22-year-old would certainly provide Wales with a genuine 13 option with Lions man-of-theseries Davies out with a long-term foot problem.
“I’m almost back fit now so I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I don’t want to speak to soon, but it will be two or three weeks maximum,” said Morgan.
“There was bad timing with the injury, but it happens and things will turn my way eventually because I’ve had a couple of these now.
“I felt myself coming into form in the last few games before my injury and got a spot in the autumn internationals. I’ve done eight or nine Wales campaigns, but only won four caps. I would like to add to that.”