Ospreys aim to keep Alun-Wyn until 2021
THE OSPREYS are to open talks with Alun-Wyn Jones aimed at extending his career for two years beyond the World Cup.
The Swansea-based region will be prepared to offer a contract designed to give him the best chance of bowing out with the Lions in South Africa in 2021.
The deal will ensure that Jones’ prospects of a fourth Lions tour are not affected by domestic overload. This season he has appeared in fewer than half of Ospreys’ 17 matches,.
“Alun-Wyn could make a lot more money in France,” an official said. “But he will have a better chance of remaining on top of his game for longer by staying in Swansea.”
His current Ospreys’ contract runs out at the end of the season, so a new deal will be put on the table before the Six Nations kicks off next
month. Jones will be 34 in September, four days before Wales’ opening match in Japan against Georgia. Three other second row Lions – Paul O’Connell, Simon Shaw and Nathan Hines – were older when they made their last stands on the global stage.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have been doing what I do (for) as long as I have,’’ he said. “Hopefully, I can do it for a while longer.’’
There are concerns that negotiations could become bogged down in rugby politics. Jones’ dual contract, with 60 per cent of his salary paid by the Welsh Rugby Union, expires later this year and the WRU’s new agreement with the four regional teams – ‘Operation Reset’ – is clouded with uncertainty.
A qualified lawyer in his 13th season as an Osprey, Jones’ reign as one of the most commanding figures in the world game shows no sign of ending any time soon. For a reminder that he still has time on his side, Jones need only look at the durability of older players like Rory Best, still going strong at 36.
Jones will start his 13th season with Wales by leading them into the opening match of the Six Nations, against France in Paris on Friday February 1 – his 130th Test. He is on course to end the year among the top three most-capped players of all time, behind Brian O’Driscoll (141) and Richie McCaw (148).
Had the Lions been touring South Africa this summer, he would have been the outstanding candidate for the captaincy and that could still be the case in two years time.
With their Six Nations squad due to be named next week, Wales await Taulupe Faletau’s return with some anxiety. The Bath No.8 is still missing from Premiership action three months after breaking an arm.
Leigh Halfpenny’s fate will be determined by a specialist amid concerns over his recovery from concussion. The victim of a late hit against Australia two months ago, the Welsh Lion has been prevented from playing since because of headaches.
Liam Williams, his replacement against South Africa, came through a 53minute comeback for Saracens at Sale on Friday.