2013 Lions: Shane Williams tips Alun Wyn Jones to lead Lions

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The Scrum V Lions' Den - Gareth Edwards

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."

Highlights: Wales 30-3 England

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.

Alun Wyn Jones and Shane Williams
Alun Wyn Jones and Shane Williams

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.

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496 comments

  • Comment posted by who_dat, at 10:55 18 Mar 2013

    Hogg for full back?
    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.

  • Comment posted by David Robertson, at 13:30 18 Mar 2013

    As a Scotland fan of many years I loathed Brian Moore as a player. I am amazed though at some of the drivel being written here about him as a summariser. He is probably the least biased English voice on any channel on any sport. He is always objective and extremely critical of any player/team/coach regardless of the colour of their jersey. If you want ditch anyone please make it Woodward or Guscot

  • Comment posted by whitewater, at 14:01 18 Mar 2013

    "This was a day when not one England player would have made the Welsh team." Stuart Barnes, Sunday Times 17/3/13.

  • Comment posted by U14787966, at 13:24 18 Mar 2013

    The only tour Ashton is going on is a tour of 'Riverdance'. He did a wonderful segment on the back of a Welsh players on Saturday which I hope he gets cited for.

    Cannot compare North and Ashton. Different class entirely.

  • Comment posted by MMansfield, at 15:26 18 Mar 2013

    Can't accept criticism of Shane.. sorry but that's too harsh for someone's earliest days in the office.. some slack please! Interesting point he makes on AWJ for captain who has imo shown his indomitable character thoughout the Autumn tests and 6N. He must be in the running.. Hope we see BOD return to his best, it would be great to see him lead this and a tribute to his contribution to the game

  • Comment posted by U15557387, at 15:11 18 Mar 2013

    @254. yobolensky

    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.

  • Comment posted by U15557387, at 13:35 18 Mar 2013

    @194. cj_wood

    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.

  • Comment posted by U14493665, at 12:52 18 Mar 2013

    Why not have a Tour captain (BOD) and then choose a match-day captain from the starting XV for the tests?

  • Comment posted by U15630523, at 15:36 18 Mar 2013

    @272. BOD should go. He may be past his best but he offers lots more than the other crop of one dimesional centres available. Jamie Roberts performance on saturday has put him back into the frame to partner BOD.

  • Comment posted by VictorUbogu, at 14:17 18 Mar 2013

    @226 Phillips is by far the best option at 9. The fact of the matter is all the British 9's have slow passes at the moment (Laidlaw is the worst culprit). Only Lloyd Williams has any where near what could be termed a "quick" service. However, his all round game is below that of the other contenders. Phillips is one of the only dead certs at this point.

  • Comment posted by U15527242, at 13:23 18 Mar 2013

    Bullitjw - regarding Hogg, did you see the French match? That missed tackle on Fofana was telling to me. 1/2p if fit along with Adam Jones for me are the only players who have nailed their positions. Not a foot wrong all championship. I also thing whoever plays 10 1/2p will be the goal kicker, Farrell didn't deal with the pressure on sat.

  • Comment posted by MMansfield, at 15:38 18 Mar 2013

    @272 agree and I 'm sure BOD would too. As a leader and motivator he is I think very very good. Just hope he finds his best again and gets on the plane.

  • Comment posted by U15557387, at 15:36 18 Mar 2013

    @271. yobolensky

    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.

  • Comment posted by U15527242, at 13:34 18 Mar 2013

    cj_wood - North can be guilty of going into contact, but he draws players in because he is difficult to stop, in theory leaving space for others. Comparing him to Ashton??? First half on sat North took contact and ran straight through ashton and only a diving ankle tap stopped a certain score. Second half ashton took contact and North stopped him on the spot! Different class.

  • Comment posted by stoveboy, at 11:14 18 Mar 2013

    The thing with Phillips is he is not overly likeable, thats why folk dont like him and the 1 step pass number. The other proven thing with Phillips is simple the bigger the game the bigger his step up in match performance. I have doubted him all season as I did prior to the last tour.The man is a test beast. Is he a captain I dont know. If you look at lions captains they are always hard cases so?

  • Comment posted by James, at 19:15 19 Mar 2013

    Ignore HERSH he's a sad little man who is going around pretending he has coached in the English premiership!! bwahahaha

    He's lost in his sad little fantasy world, poor sod.

  • Comment posted by NovaRoma, at 17:47 18 Mar 2013

    @320 -
    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

  • Comment posted by ManBearPig, at 17:36 18 Mar 2013

    323. Dom

    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.

  • Comment posted by TheSongster, at 17:31 18 Mar 2013

    @314 - good point re HC. Fully agree re Lydiate and Bowe. Either way, it's going to be a very strong 23 for the first test.
    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!

  • Comment posted by TheSongster, at 17:11 18 Mar 2013

    305 - but all of your comments were about the Welsh. Not saying that your points weren't necessarily valid but they were a clear dig in some cases.
    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

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