{"id":296187,"date":"2023-11-01T18:25:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T18:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=296187"},"modified":"2023-11-01T18:25:44","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T18:25:44","slug":"alun-wyn-jones-urges-welsh-rugby-not-to-paper-over-the-cracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/rugby-union\/alun-wyn-jones-urges-welsh-rugby-not-to-paper-over-the-cracks\/","title":{"rendered":"Alun Wyn Jones urges Welsh rugby not to 'paper over the cracks'"},"content":{"rendered":"
Alun Wyn Jones has called on Welsh rugby not to \u2018paper over the cracks\u2019 and fix \u2018issues that need to be sorted\u2019 as he prepares to bring an end to a glittering career.<\/p>\n
Jones, 38 and the world\u2019s most capped player, will play his final international game on Saturday when he turns out for the Barbarians against the country of his birth in Cardiff.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The lock has been one of his sport\u2019s most iconic figures and has captained Wales and the British & Irish Lions, making a total of 170 Test appearances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jones retired from Wales duty this summer and wasn\u2019t part of his former team\u2019s run to the World Cup quarter-finals in France.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I am pleased for the players for the success they had on the back of a tough year for Welsh rugby,\u2019 said Jones, who will captain the Barbarians against Wales.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Alun Wyn Jones urged Welsh rugby not to \u2018paper over the cracks\u2019 despite reaching the World Cup quarter-finals<\/p>\n
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The legendary forward insisted there are still \u2018issues that need to be sorted\u2019 with Welsh rugby<\/p>\n
\u2018I just hope it doesn\u2019t paper over the cracks because there are deeper-rooted issues that need to be sorted or we will end up in the cycle we keep doing every four years.<\/p>\n
\u2018I just hope it kicks on the right way with a young group of players I believe can achieve lots.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I care about Welsh sport and I care about rugby and I want to make sure it is in the best possible place it can be. There is a lot of stuff about financial stuff and leagues but I think we\u2019ve got to make sure player welfare is at the forefront. That\u2019s the main thing for me.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jones has finished his club career with French side Toulon on a short-term contract and may well feature for them again before Christmas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a former Lions captain playing for the Barbarians this weekend, Jones reiterated his support for rugby continuing to make sure the two historic teams have a place in the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This week, three-time Lions head coach Warren Gatland called for the team to have greater preparation time for the 2025 tour of Australia. Gatland has ruled himself out of coaching the Lions for the fourth straight tour, leaving Ireland\u2019s Andy Farrell as the favourite to take on the role for the Wallabies series.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Warren Gatland’s side reached the last eight of the World Cup after a tumultuous year<\/p>\n
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Wyn Jones also urged rugby to keep supporting both the Barbarians and British & Irish Lions<\/p>\n
\u2018We\u2019re very blessed as a sport that we\u2019ve got the Barbarians, the Lions, and some classic traditions,\u2019 Jones said.\u00a0\u2018I think it\u2019s something the game needs. There are not many other sports that do it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018It gives a focal point for the sport for players and supporters to follow.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the prospect of ending his international career at Cardiff\u2019s Principality Stadium this weekend, Jones added: \u2018It is going to be emotional by the sounds of it. It’s been a long time coming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018It’s going to be fun. In any walk of life all good things come to an end.\u2019<\/p>\n
Barbarians team to face Wales<\/span> (Saturday, Principality Stadium. Kick-off: 2.30pm): Ilasia Droasese (Fiji); Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand), Len Ikitau (Australia), Izaia Perese (Australia), Selestino Ravutaumada (Fiji); Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina), Simione Kuruvoli (Fiji); Joe Moody (New Zealand), Tevita Ikanivere (Fiji), Taniela Tupou (Australia), Rob Leota (Australia), Alun Wyn Jones (capt) (Wales), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Michael Hooper (Australia), Rob Valetini (Australia)<\/p>\n Replacements<\/span>: Angus Bell (Australia), Asafo Aumua (New Zealand), Peni Ravai (Fiji), Api Ratuniyarawa (Fiji), Tom Hooper (Australia), Lautaro Bazan Velez (Argentina), Ben Donaldson (Australia), Andrew Kellaway (Australia)<\/p>\n