Alun Wyn Jones will be featuring in his 139th test for Wales against Scotland at the weekend and combined with his nine British and Irish Lions test he has equalled the record for most international rugby caps.
The current record is held by New Zealand’s Richie McCaw who played 148 times for the All Blacks, lifting two World Cup’s on the way.
*Note: due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Six Nations has been postponed.
Breaking records
The Wales captain, whose career spans 14 years, will tie the All Blacks great if the match goes ahead on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the game Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said:
“Alun Wyn Jones is one of the most iconic figures in the game, he is our leader and I’m delighted for him as he continues to set the bar across the game.”
His first test came back in June 2006 on a tour of Argentina and he’s grown into one of the most influential players in Welsh rugby history.
“Greatest ever player”
Ex Wales and Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones has hailed his former teammate as Wales’ “greatest ever player.”
Speaking about his former regional and international teammate’s impact on Wales he explained, “He is arguably the greatest Welsh rugby player ever.
“History will tell us when he smashes the cap records and if he lifts a World Cup he’s going to be held in the highest esteem of all.
“He personifies everything that is amazing about being a Welsh rugby player. He’s combative, competitive and passionate and leads by example on and off the field.
“His resilience is incredible. There’s a guy who loves rugby and Welsh rugby is in safe hands when he is captain.”
(Phot credit Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
His career
Alun Wyn Jones’ class was apparent from the off and his international debut in 2006 came soon after he had first played a club level and by 2007 he was an ever-present in the Six Nations side, being retained for the World Cup.
He was then selected by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the second row for the 2008 Six Nations game with England and after injury returned to help Wales land the Grand Slam. During the tournament Jones was selected as Wales captain for their trip to Rome.
Selected for the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa and made the XV for the first Test defeat in Durban. He was dropped to the bench after the first Test defeat and made two replacement appearances in the remaining Tests.
In August 2010 he was named as Ospreys captain and a little over six years later he became their most prolific try-scoring forward, with his 21st try.
The trophy cabinet
Ospreys
- Celtic League/Pro14:
- Winner: 2006–07, 2009–10, 2011–12
- Anglo-Welsh Cup:
- Winner: 2007–08
- Runner-up: 2006–07
Wales
- Six Nations:
- Winner: 2008,2012,2013,2019
- Triple Crown:
- Winner: 2008, 2012, 2019
- Doddie Weir Trophy:
- Winner: 2019
“Main photo credit”
