Alun-Wyn Jones: I’m ready for partnership

Chris Jones
8 Jun 2009

Alun-Wyn Jones has forced himself into the Lions second row alongside skipper Paul O'Connell for the clash with the Sharks in Durban.

It was believed before the squad left for South Africa that the pair were in a straight fight for the role as middle-jumper in the line-out. But Jones's excellence at set pieces and around the pitch has brought it's reward for the Welsh forward.

He will now team up with his Irish counterpart to form a formidable pairing that looks increasingly likely to be together again for the First Test in Durban on 20 June.

Head coach Ian McGeechan admitted he needed to try out new combinations in the next two games against the Sharks and then in Cape Town against Western Province on Saturday.

Jones insisted today that playing in the same spot as his skipper would not pose the pair any problems.

He said: “I have played against Paul for the last couple of years and have a lot of admiration for him. I am looking forward to forging a partnership with him and let's see what happens on Wednesday.

“I have played at both four and five for the Ospreys and the difference jumping at the front is that you have less line out work but have to hit more rucks and mauls which I am used to doing.

“I knew that Paul was Lions captain and going to start the test matches , but because I could also play four meant I could have a chance and I am ready for any opportunity that comes along.”

Elsewhere on the pitch, Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts are paired again in midfield, while Ronan O'Gara will be at outside half working with Wales No9 Mike Phillips.

World Player of the Year Shane Williams is being given one last chance to prove he can be a potent force against the Springboks while Luke Fitzgerald, pressed into service at centre on Saturday, reverts to the left wing position that England's Ugo Monye appears to have grabbed for the Test match.

Riki Flutey, who saved his own tour by following a very specific recovery plan for his injured knee, and England colleague Simon Shaw will start on the bench, while late English call-up Tom Croft will start in the back row.

McGeechan insisted that everyone in the squad is still vying for a place in the Test team, saying: “I want all of the players to give me a selection headache before the first Test.”

Meanwhile, Wales and Lions legend Neil Jenkins, who is currently second on the international points-scoring list, will link up with the squad as kicking coach as soon as he finishes a similar role with the Wales team currently touring America.

Lions team v Sharks: L Byrne (Wal); S Williams (Wal), B O'Driscoll (Ire), J Roberts (Wal), L Fitzgerald (Ire); R O'Gara (Ire), M Phillips (Wal); J Heaslip (Ire), D Wallace (Ire), T Croft (Eng); P O'Connell (Ire) capt, AWyn Jones (Wal); A Jones (Wal), L Mears (Eng), G Jenkins (Wal).

Replacements: M Rees (Wal), P Vickery (Eng),
S Shaw (Eng), J Worsley (Eng), M Blair (Scot),
R Flutey (Eng), L Halfpenny (Wal)