Adam Jones rues the ‘huge’ absence of Wales star for the Six Nations
Wales captain during the Rugby World Cup Jac Morgan and former prop Adam Jones.
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions prop Adam Jones says that Jac Morgan’s injury is a ‘huge’ loss for Warren Gatland’s side for the Six Nations.
Morgan and fellow World Cup co-captain Dewi Lake were both omitted from the Wales squad due to injury.
World Cup star sidelined
While Jones says that both players will be missed in the squad, he believes that Morgan’s absence is particularly significant for Wales.
“Jack was amazing in the World Cup; Dewi was kind of on the bench, but he is a big character in the squad, but Jack’s absence is huge,” Jones told Two Cents Rugby.
“Tommy Reffell would be the natural successor, but Jack was so good in those World Cup matches, he will be a huge miss, and it’s tough to fill those shoes.”
Wales is renowned for their depth in the back-row and having somewhat of a flanker factory that consistently churns out quality players, one of which has caught Jones’s eye.
“I really like the look of the young kid that Alex Mann, he’s played six for Cardiff, but I’m sure he’ll come through well,” the legendary prop added.
“Then you got Taine Basham, so there is a bit of depth there, but losing Jack Morgan is huge because you could see how inspirational he was for the boys in the World Cup.”
Surprising omission
Jones is backing Gatland to inspire the next generation of Wales internationals to new heights after the head coach selected a youthful team for the Six Nations.
However, he was left surprised that his Harlequins prop Dillon Lewis was not included in the squad as one of the most experienced members.
“I’m surprised, and I guess I’m slightly biased because I coach him, but I’m surprised that Dillon Lewis isn’t in there,” Jones said.
“He’s got 50-odd caps, he has got the experience, but look, it’s not unlike Gatland to do these sort of selections. He is going to blood all these young players, and hopefully, two years down the line, we will be challenging.
“So I guess it’s a long-term goal for Gats and the coaches, and he generally gets it pretty spot on most of the time, and he’s really good at bringing the young kids through really quick, which is a great skill to have.
New captain
Meanwhile, the ex-prop was excited by Gatland’s new captain, Dafydd Jenkins, who is filling the role in Morgan’s and Lake’s absence.
The 12-cap lock will become the second youngest Wales captain of all-time when he leads his country out, with Sir Gareth Edwards still holding onto the record (20 years, 207 days old when he led Wales against Scotland in 1968).
“Picking Dafydd Jenkins, a 21-year-old, is amazing; I used to play with his father [Hywel]; his old man was a good player, it’s a young squad, and it’s an exciting squad,” Jones added.
“The halfbacks are strong, obviously losing (Dan) Bigger, and (Gareth) Anscombe played a huge part there, but it’s a chance for these young kids to come through and get out of their shadows.
“As the great Steve Hansen once said: ‘Sometimes you’ve got to cut down the big trees, to let the little ones grow’.”
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