SECOND-ROW
4. Maro Itoje (England) & 5.Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
“I was one of these people questioning how much longer can Alun Wyn Jones keep going,” he said, speaking in a Q&A session with BFBS in partnership with military charity Tickets for Troops.
“He’s 35, he’s been an incredible player over 100 games for Wales, record Test player but, I just wondered maybe based on what I saw in the autumn whether he could keep going as long as the Lions tour.
“If you had asked me pre-Six Nations I would have said maybe (Maro) Itoje and James Ryan would have been my first and second choices for the second row.
“But based on his outstanding performances, I have completely changed my opinion and I have every right to do that based on what I have seen and I think Alun Wyn Jones has proved to me and everyone what a world-class player and a skipper he is even despite his age, so he would be one of my first picks straightaway.
“Itoje definitely would be there, he’s a glorious, wonderful player, he’s got a lot to offer.”