British and Irish Lions: Wales great Alun Wyn Jones to captain squad

By Chris JonesBBC rugby union correspondent

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments151

Alun Wyn Jones
Alun Wyn Jones has been part of three Lions tours

Wales great Alun Wyn Jones will be confirmed as captain of the British and Irish Lions when head coach Warren Gatland names his 36-man squad on Thursday for the tour of South Africa.

Jones, 35, has been the favourite for the role since leading Wales to the Six Nations title in March.

He will be going on his fourth Lions tour, after being a key part of the series in 2009, 2013 and 2017.

The Lions squad is confirmed at 12:30 BST on Thursday.

Jones has won a world record 157 international caps and has started the last nine Lions Test matches, including captaining the team to victory in the decisive third Test against Australia in Sydney in 2013.

And while he is set to face stiff competition for a Test match place in the second row, Gatland has shown he is prepared to leave the tour captain out of the starting XV if required.

In 2017, skipper Sam Warburton was on the bench for the first Test against New Zealand with Peter O'Mahony the captain, before Warburton returned to lead the side in the second and third Tests.

However Jones' form in the Six Nations, as well as his aura, experience and remarkable longevity have convinced Gatland he is the man to succeed the retired Warburton.

"Coming from a team that has done reasonably well in the Six Nations, and having the respect of other players in the squad, that is fairly important," Gatland told the BBC last month.

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151 comments

  • Comment posted by Bayern_Bru, at 22:55 5 May

    Absolutely the best man for the job. Let’s hope we can put aside the boring and unnecessary player nationality rivalry chat when the squad is announced.

    CMON LIONS!!

    • Reply posted by xenosys2005, at 23:08 5 May

      xenosys2005 replied:
      That depends. If there's more than 2 Scotland players in the squad this year, I'll let it pass.

  • Comment posted by JC Bath, at 22:57 5 May

    I think all English rugby fans will agree with the choice of AWJ as Captain. A player with real presence on and off the field. Congratulations. Now go and beat the World Champions!

    • Reply posted by owain glyndwr, at 23:52 5 May

      owain glyndwr replied:
      You have to have the brain power of an amoeba to downvote this post

  • Comment posted by Gaz, at 22:56 5 May

    What a way to end your career with another lions series and hopefully a lions winning series. Much deserved.

  • Comment posted by WeeScotsPoet, at 22:55 5 May

    As a Scot I won't even debate this. Man is a loving legend. I hope he manages us all to a victory there as recompense for the Welsh loss in the World Cup semi finals. I'd also love to see him manage to captain Wales at the 2023 World Cup in France. With the right game management I think he could do it. But for now. Yes! Great pick.

    • Reply posted by aberblabber, at 23:01 5 May

      aberblabber replied:
      "loving legend". Wales' Cassanova?

  • Comment posted by WhoKnows, at 22:54 5 May

    Nobody can complain about that one. A bit like when Paul O’Connell was chosen previously - it’s the clear, obvious and sensible choice.

  • Comment posted by Scott_the_pilgrim, at 23:00 5 May

    Not exactly a shock but he's the best candidate for it. All the talk about Itoje I dont he is ready for it yet anyways. Them two in the second row will be a mean combo, I think AWJ could get the best out of Itoje anyways.

    I remember when everyone absolutely slated Gatland for bring AWJ last Lions tour after Wales came 5th in the 6N and he was great. I trust Gatland to do a good job

  • Comment posted by boomshanka, at 22:53 5 May

    The best and only choice

  • Comment posted by Dalemb1979, at 22:58 5 May

    Never in doubt, Itojes time will come and he can learn a thing or two from AWJ, can't wait for tomorrow.

  • Comment posted by KTBFFH, at 22:51 5 May

    Best man for it. I love the Lions and can't wait for this series!

  • Comment posted by Col, at 22:55 5 May

    Congratulations AWJ, never in serious doubt. A big man, in every sense. Good luck to him and his 35 followers. Can't wait for the series to start. I'm getting a bit long in the tooth, so I don't have too many Lions Tests to look forward to.

  • Comment posted by penhow, at 22:54 5 May

    Legend 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

  • Comment posted by Ken, at 22:53 5 May

    Great choice. Up there with the Best. Body on the line every time, leads by example. Respected by team mates and communicates effectively with refs.

  • Comment posted by NeilH, at 22:51 5 May

    Was the best 2nd row in 6 nations. A natural choice. Leads by example.

  • Comment posted by Guy Fawkes, at 22:50 5 May

    Best man for the job.

    End of chat,

  • Comment posted by smudger, at 23:00 5 May

    AWK is a legend and a true leader of men. He has that aura in the dressing room where a look is all that is needed to a novice lion ready for battle. When your in the trenches of battle this is a Mam I would want on my side. I have no doubt we will win this series with a leader like Alun .

    • Reply posted by smudger, at 23:04 5 May

      smudger replied:
      Sorry AWJ and man.

  • Comment posted by Strandhi, at 22:56 5 May

    AWJ, was always going to lead the Lions.

  • Comment posted by McMurphy1, at 22:57 5 May

    He's a Lions legend already.

    I hope this wasn't leaked, but it doesn't matter.

  • Comment posted by Gaz, at 23:08 5 May

    Not bad for the lad from Bonymaen.

    • Reply posted by dannyboysings, at 23:16 5 May

      dannyboysings replied:
      I think you’ll find he’s a bit posher than that. Mumbles boy.

  • Comment posted by UKOzzy, at 23:15 5 May

    I don’t think there was really any other good options for captain. I guess Hogg will be match day captain if AWJ doesn’t make the starting 15.

    • Reply posted by Gergio Sarcia, at 23:28 5 May

      Gergio Sarcia replied:
      Hogg won’t be in the starting XV. Williams is a more solid, Gatland choice for 15 and can move positions to wing if injury means he needs to with Hogg taking his place at 15.

      Never got the “flashy” element suddenly making someone a better player when they constantly make fairly big errors be it technical or in decision making. If Hogg and Russell are world beaters then why aren’t they?!

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 22:51 5 May

    Predictable (and correct) choice but why are we being told more than 12 hrs earlier than scheduled?

    • Reply posted by WhoKnows, at 22:55 5 May

      WhoKnows replied:
      Because he will be at the squad announcement press conference.

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