Alun Wyn Jones will reach another milestone tonight as he prepares to make his 200th Ospreys appearance, and former team-mate Martyn Williams has labelled him as Wales’ greatest lock of all time.
Jones has won two RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam titles, in 2008 and 2012, and represented The British & Irish Lions six times – captaining them in their memorable 41-16 Test win against Australia to win the 2013 Tour.
The 31-year-old has won 102 caps so far and is likely to be part of Rob Howley’s team for the Autumn Internationals in November – where Wales face Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa.
And Williams, who played 100 times for Wales between 1996 and 2012, says Jones is an immense talent.
“I’m not surprised he’s done what he’s done. When you saw him as a kid you knew he would be something special,” he told BBC Sport.
“I think he’s the greatest Wales second row there’s ever been – there have been some greats you can argue about – but he’s just a phenomenal player.”
Jones will hope to be called up the Lions squad for their tour to New Zealand next year, although he faces stiff competition from the likes of Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Iain Henderson and Ritchie Grey.
The 2017 RBS 6 Nations will be vital to all players trying to prove their form with Wales starting against Italy before facing defending champions England.
And former Wales winger Shane Williams hailed Jones’ impact on the rest of the squad, and has high hopes for his old team next year.
“His drive and his desire is never questioned and when Alun Wyn Jones is training well and playing well it’s infectious – players around him want to do the same,” he said.
“He would go flat out, whether it was touch rugby, contact, set-plays or whatever.
“He probably caused more injuries to me in training than the opposition did in matches. He was an absolute nightmare, I’ve got to give him that.”
