Beard told to stand on his own two feet

ALUN-Wyn Jones has warned Adam Beard he must learn the hard way outside of his shadow if he is to fulfil his enormous potential.

Lions hero Jones has forged a formidable lock partnership with Beard at both the Ospreys and Wales this season.

Beard is a fine prospect and has won all eight of his Tests to date and while Jones will always be on hand to offer advice, from experience he knows the best way to develop is by learning on te job.

“I’m comfortable answering any questions people need answered, but on the whole I’m a big believer in players taking their own opportunities and learning on their own two feet,” said Jones.

“A lot of players don’t follow and they don’t want to be led, but Adam has taken his opportunity for both the Ospreys and Wales and built on that which is important.

“I don’t know whether I’m fulfilling that mentoring role because there’s a lot you can learn from someone coming through and I don’t disguise that fact. I think players need to do their own learnings.”

Beard was outstanding during Wales’ first autumn clean sweep last year, starting three of the four games for Warren Gatland’s side.

At a daunting 6 ft 8 in and a giant 18 stone, Beard has all the attributes required to be a modern-day second row and he has been involved in all of Wales’ last six Tests.

Jones insists the 22-yearold has the potential to make a mark on the international game. He said: “I think the word potential is the one that’s really important. People say he’s improved and ask how good can he be, but actually everyone has got potential.

“It’s about whether you fulfil it or not. It doesn’t surprise me to see the way he’s playing because of the qualities he has.

“I’m happy to be playing alongside Adam. He’s got the natural disposition to be a top-class second row and he’s fulfilling that. It’s good to see the strength in depth that we have both here at Ospreys and with Wales with Bradley Davies injured at the minute.”