Wales triumph now in past for incredible Alun Wyn Jones

Adam Kyriacou

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has deflected any personal praise after securing a fifth Six Nations title with his country over the weekend.

Jones was presented with the trophy behind closed doors at Wales’ training base following a dramatic tournament finale.

Scotland’s victory over France on Friday – their first in Paris since 1999 – meant Wales were confirmed as champions.

Jones, 35, was first part of a successful Six Nations campaign under Warren Gatland 13 years ago, while more silverware followed in 2012, 2013 and 2019 before this season’s triumph.

No signs of slowing up

With a world-record 157 Test match appearances clocked up for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, Jones is showing no sign of slowing up and he is a firm favourite with the bookmakers to captain the Lions against world champions South Africa this summer.

He was hailed by coach Wayne Pivac as “one of the greatest players of all time” but for Jones, it has always been about the collective rather than individuals and Wales’ latest success is no exception.

“They (titles) are all behind me now, so I am looking forward to getting back to the Ospreys,” he said.

“I’ve been frustrated for the last few seasons by having some spells on the sidelines. I just want to get back into the swing of things.

“I’ve played four games under Boothy (Ospreys head coach Toby Booth) and with the crop we’ve got back there and performances of late, it is a good place to be.”

Wales’ next assignment is a planned tour of Argentina, and approaching the halfway point of a four-year World Cup cycle they are in excellent shape.

That summer trip – if it goes ahead – is likely to see more of Wales’ exciting young playing crop given an opportunity, especially as a number of Wales stars look set to be on Lions duty.

Asked what the current Wales squad might achieve in future, Jones added: “I am not going to put any pressure on.

“It’s a question for the next campaign, depending on what goes on with the regions, who is in form and who is available.

“I think we saw eight or nine (players) in the Autumn Nations Cup and that process has already started. There is continual succession planning going on at regional and international level.

“I think we probably had a few (defining moments) in each (Six Nations) game.

“If I looked back through it with a (fine-toothed) comb there would probably be many, but when you win championships and Grand Slams people can potentially get caught up in the results and not the process.

“I have been involved in a few tight ones and this one was true to form.”