Alun Wyn Jones injury worse than first feared as captain drops retirement hint
Rugby NewsThursday, 04 November 2021 at 13:39
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones is set to miss the 2022 Six Nations because of a shoulder injury.
The 36-year-old was forced off the field during last Saturday's defeat against New Zealand and requires surgery.
"I don’t think he’ll be available for the Six Nations," revealed Wales boss Wayne Pivac.
"You learn a lot about the worth of people when they're not there. I think a lot of people take Alun Wyn for granted - he's always been there and got seniority.
"That leadership is really important. The essence is on others to step up and take that role on."
Jones, who is only contracted with the Ospreys until the end of the season, is thought to be seriously considering his future but is determined to pull on the red jersey of Wales at least one more time.
The concern is that his shoulder, which he has now dislocated twice in a few months, would become a recurring injury ihat would only get worse if he continues to play.
Where to watch the Autumn Nations Series:
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For a list of all compatible devices visit amazon.co.uk/watchanywhere.
“I like his aggression and energy” – Alun Wyn Jones dream forward pack is sensational
Check out the dream forward pack who won praise from the Lions legend in his book.
FRONT-ROW
- 1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
- 2. Ken Owens (Wales)
- 3. Kyle Sinckler (England)
Jones on Jenkins: A prop who could tackle and jackal like a blindside."
Jones on Sinckler: "Kyle Sinckler is good fun, a connection between us in Adam Jones, the tight-head ahead of me for so long for Ospreys and Wales for so long, a coach for him in his formative years was a good icebreaker. I'd like to think we get on. I like his aggression and energy on the pitch. Those are assets that can be harnessed, not controlled."
SECOND-ROW
- 4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
- 5. Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
Jones wrote on O'Connell: 'I remember being impressed with his unruffled demeanour, plus his level of organization. All his socks in one bag, all his shorts in another. Everything decanted into smaller bags within bigger bags. You cannot shy away from how effective the guy was in his position.'
Jones on Botha: "He revelled in it didn't he. Physically he has to be up there. Let's just say he was able to keep the tradition going of the hardest of South African second rows.
"Bakkies was a big man, and he always hit hard"
BACK-ROW
- 6. Sam Warburton (Wales)
- 7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
- 8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Jones on McCaw: "I'm not comfortable with any of the comparisons with McCaw. He has two World Cups. I don't. I've got those holes in my CV. A legend."
Jones on Faletau: "At his best he matches anything a back-row can throw at him. There's games where we were almost like a machine. All the parts working together, the cogs all meshing."
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