Alun Wyn Jones names his three toughest opponents – including Springboks enforcer

The former Wales captain retired from international rugby in 2023 with an astonishing 170 Test appearances, including 12 for the British & Irish Lions.

He won five Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and captained the Lions on their 2021 tour of South Africa.

Not bad for a player who spent much of his career doing rugby's dirty work.

Jones was never one to take a backward step. Whether it was a scrap at the breakdown or a battle at the lineout, the Welshman usually had the final say.

However, even he admitted that some opponents were particularly difficult to handle.

Here are three men who made his life miserable.

The bio: Two giants of northern hemisphere rugby. Jones and O'Connell spent years trying to get the better of each other in the Six Nations before joining forces with the Lions.

O'Connell wasn't the flashiest second row, but few could match his intensity. His leadership, lineout work and sheer refusal to lose made him a nightmare opponent.

There was also a healthy amount of mutual respect between the pair. You suspect neither particularly enjoyed facing the other.

The quote: Speaking to The Rugby Paper, Jones said:

"We got to know each other very well as team-mates with the Lions and opponents for our clubs and countries."

He added: "You cannot shy away from how effective the guy was in his position."

Did you know? The Ireland legend was a keen swimmer growing up and only returned to rugby at 16. He went on to win 108 Ireland caps.

The bio: If O'Connell was the ultimate professional, Bakkies Botha was rugby's equivalent of a wrecking ball.

The fearsome Springboks enforcer built his reputation on enormous tackles, bruising clear-outs and an appetite for confrontation.

He wasn't somebody you wanted running towards you, particularly when he had a few yards to build up speed.

Alongside Victor Matfield, Botha formed one of the most intimidating second-row partnerships the game has seen.

The quote: Jones admitted Botha "has to be up there" when discussing the most physical opponents he faced.

He also recognised Botha's place in South Africa's long tradition of uncompromising locks.

Did you know? Botha wasn't just a hard man. He was a serial winner, collecting three Super Rugby titles with the Bulls and three European Cup titles with Toulon.

The bio: Not every difficult opponent needs to knock you backwards.

Sometimes, the bloke who spends 80 minutes talking in your ear can be just as irritating.

Enter Justin Harrison.

The former Wallabies lock was never short of something to say. He combined a fiercely competitive streak with the sort of verbal exchanges that could drive opponents mad.

Jones clearly hadn't forgotten him.

The quote: "Away from the physical side, banter-wise it would have to be Aussie lock Justin Harrison," Jones said.

"He was interesting to play against, to say the least."

You get the feeling Jones was being rather diplomatic.

Did you know? Harrison made his Australia debut in the deciding Test against the Lions in 2001.

With the series on the line, he famously stole a late lineout from Lions captain Martin Johnson to help secure a historic Wallabies victory.

It's a fascinating selection because all three brought something completely different.

O'Connell was the complete second row. Botha was arguably the most feared enforcer of his generation. Harrison, meanwhile, proved that winning the psychological battle could be just as important.

For me, Botha would have been the opponent I'd least fancy facing. There was something genuinely frightening about the way he approached the game.

But O'Connell might have been the hardest to actually beat. He could dominate a match without ever needing to throw his weight around.