Adam Jones, the ex-Wales prop, has thrown his hat into the ring to become the scrum coach for Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad on their upcoming tour of Australia.
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With experience from his Lions tours in 2009 and 2013, Jones, now 43, has been instrumental in guiding Harlequins to the Champions Cup semifinals, marked by their thrilling 42-41 victory over Bordeaux Bègles.
Adding to the coaching mix, Scotland’s head honcho, Gregor Townsend, has also emerged as a contender for a position during the Australian tour.
Jones told the Times’ Ruck Podcast. “If Faz wanted to take me, I’d bite his hand off. 100 per cent, I think I could do a job as a scrum coach for the Lions.
“It’s a funny one with the Lions, as a scrum coach, you’re not going to change a lot of technique as these are the best props from the home unions. There’s not a lot you can do around that. But if that job ever came up, I’d bite their hand off. I’ve been twice as a player.
“I don’t think there’s many ex-Lions players coaching teams at the scrum anyway. Is Ieuan Evans chairman this year? I’ll give Ieuan a ring and see if he can sort me out!”
Joining Jones in potential roles are other Lions luminaries like Paul O’Connell, currently collaborating with Farrell at Ireland, and former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who could take up the mantle of specialist kicking coach.
50 best British & Irish Lions of all-time
A distinguished panel consisting of 12 experts, among them former Lions captains Bill Beaumont, Phil Bennett, and Finlay Calder, were tasked with nominating players based on their skill and individual impact on the Lions.
Contributors from both the Guardian and the Observer, including correspondents, editors, and other knowledgeable figures, also had a hand in shaping the final rankings.
50. Robert Jones (Wales) – Scrum-half – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 73
49. Tom Smith (Scotland) – Prop – 1997, 2001 – P6 W3 D0 L3 – 75
48. Matt Dawson (England) – Scrum-half – 1997, 2001, 2005 – P7 W2 D0 L5 – 76
47. David Sole (Scotland) – Prop – 1989 – P3 W2 L1 – 90
46. Rhys Williams (Wales) – Lock – 1955, 1959 – P10 W5 L5 – 94
45. Neil Jenkins (Wales) – Fly-half – 1997, 2001 – P4 W2 D0 L2 – 99
44. Jason Robinson (England) – Fullback/Wing – 2001, 2005 – P5 W1 D0 L4 – 105
43. Roger Uttley (England) – Back row – 1974 – P4 W3 D1 L0 – 107
42. Bobby Windsor (Wales) – Hooker – 1974, 1977 – P5 W3 D1 L1 – 109
41. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – Fly-half – 2001, 2005 – P6 W1 D1 L4 – 110
40. Rob Andrew (England) – Fly-half – 1989, 1993 – P5 W3 D0 L2 – 110
39. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Lock – 2005, 2009 – P6 W1 D0 L5 – 114
38. Peter Wheeler (England) – Hooker – 1977, 1980 – P7 W2 L5 – 119
37. David Duckham (England) – Centre – 1971 – P3 W1 D1 L1 – 128
36. Jack Kyle (Ireland) – Fly-half – 1950 – P6 W2 D1 L3 – 147
35. Finlay Calder (Scotland) – Back row – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 149