2013 Lions: Shane Williams tips Alun Wyn Jones to lead Lions
Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugby
Wales wing legend Shane Williams has tipped former Ospreys team-mate Alun Wyn Jones to lead the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Lock Jones, 27, saw Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins captain Wales during their 2013 Six Nations success.
But former Lions player Williams told Scrum V: "I'm going for an outsider [as Lions captain]. I like Alun Wyn Jones.
"I think he's a dead cert to be starting, a dead cert to be going, a dead cert starter in the first Test."
Williams' fellow former Lion Phil Vickery, the England prop legend, threw his weight behind Warburton's claims to the Lions leadership role.
And rugby pundit and former Wales dual-code star Jonathan Davies tipped Wales loose-head prop Jenkins as the man to lead Warren Gatland's squad against the Wallabies.
Alun Wyn Jones returned from a shoulder injury to play a starring role in Wales' wins over Scotland and England, having come back as a replacement in the victory over Italy in Rome.
Williams said of 70-cap Alun Wyn Jones, a Lions Test tourist to South Africa in 2009: "He's so committed to playing rugby.
"Even if he broke his leg he'd still carry on playing. That's the kind of person he is.
"He just wants to be on that field. He just wanted to be part of this Six Nations - incredible player, a future [Wales] captain [and] I think an outside dark horse for captain of the Lions."
Warburton, who captained Wales in their opening Six Nations match of the 2013 campaign, a 30-22 defeat by Ireland, that he should not regain the captain's armband in the wake of the shoulder injury that ruled out Ryan Jones against England.

However, Vickery says that should not count against the 24-year-old, who was won 38 caps and led Wales to the 2012 Grand Slam before suffering a dip in form ahead of the 2013 title defence.
"For me, he's proven himself," said Vickery. "He's gone through a dip in form, we've built him up to be this incredible, wonderful player that we all know he is and nothing can touch him, he's invincible.
"He's gone through a bit of a rough time and he's had the weight on his shoulders and fair play to him and credit to him for not taking it [the captaincy against England]."
In backing Jenkins, Davies said: "Gethin Jenkins has been brilliant. He took the captaincy [against England] and he's been there and done it.
"He's stuck his hand up to be [Lions] captain as well."
Veteran Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll has also been touted to regain the captaincy he first held on the Lions 2005 tour to New Zealand.
Ahead of their 30-3 defeat by Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, England flanker Chris Robshaw was also heralded by some pundits as a potential Lions skipper.
Comments
Join the conversation
Did you see how easy Fofana went past him for France's first try?
He may be an attacking full back, but he has to defend as well.
Halfpenny wouldn't have allowed that try.
Cannot compare North and Ashton. Different class entirely.
Hey, go easy on Shane, he is still learning as a pundit & commentator. I know he us no potential Bill McLaren, but he will improve with more air time. ;-)
I disagree with him on captain though. IMO, this should go to BOD. The best 13 still, and head & shoulders above the other 1 dimensional options.
Are you seriously suggesting that North and Ashton are in the same run of form ATM? Ashton was absolutely abysmal on Saturday, and would struggle for a Saxon place. North, whether a Lion or not, is nowhere as bad as Ashton, who must be the worse winger in the 6N.Read what your English pundits are writing about him, it's not good reading.
So, you would leave BOD behind and take Johnny Wilkinson? What are your reasons for not taking BOD.? Obviously, it's not age because you are happy with Wilkinson.
He's lost in his sad little fantasy world, poor sod.
1) certain starter, and goalkicker.
2) honestly bemused at the love for Robshaw. Will probably go, based on expectation, but will cost somebody like SO'B his place, unfortunately.
3) will go, and will fight Jenkins for test place.
4) certain test starter.
5) captain. should headline the backrow at 7.
6) certain starter.
7) prob 1st choice.
8) prob 3rd choice
9) 2nd choice
10) 1st choice
philips has played into form. youngs and care did not look good against wales or italy because they only look good when the pack give them a platform.
farrell's limitations were shown when he was subbed was as soon as england needed tries rather than a kicker.
321. rugbyfan1 tuilagi is a skill free zone.
I like the Morgan, Warburton, Tipuric combination as well. It'll all depends who is on form at the time. Robshaw is still a class player and might get the nod. Is he better than Lydiate? Not in my opinion. Spoilt for choice.
Combinations are the key to a 3 nil series win!
308 - i agree.
One fool even stated that the Lions should be scrapped as the Welsh, Irish and Scots detest the English. Utter tosh. My English visitors had a 'wales' of a time at my local club on Saturday. Lots of banter and debating....and beer