Alun Wyn Jones will become most capped player in Test history as he leads much-changed Wales against Scotland
When Alun Wyn Jones becomes Test rugby's most-capped player of all time, the Wales captain will run out against Scotland on Saturday alongside an uncapped flanker billed by Wales head coach Wayne Pivac as 'an Alun Wyn Jones clone'.
Shane Lewis-Hughes, winning his first cap for Wales at blindside flanker just as Jones did on his own Wales debut back in 2006, was only called up to the national squad for the first time last week. Now, with Wales looking to add considerable bulk and physicality to their pack, the 23 year-old from Cardiff Blues is one of six changes made by Pivac following the loss to France.
"In the words of Alun Wyn Jones, he said: ‘I’ve been waiting 15 years for someone like Shane to come along.’ It’s pretty high praise coming from our captain," Pivac said. "If you look at Alun Wyn in terms of his preparation, the way he trains, and the way he reviews and previews his opposition, Shane Lewis-Hughes is a clone. I can’t say anymore than that on what I’ve seen so far.
"He’s been leaving the team room at 9.30 to 10pm each night. He’s doing his homework and everything Alun Wyn Jones does. [Jones] has taken him on as a bit of a project. He’s a young man so let’s not put too much pressure on him for this weekend, but he’s got some good raw ingredients, he’s a tough b-----, and he throws himself about at training. He’s willing to learn and he’s very coachable."
As for the Wales captain himself, breaking Richie McCaw's record by winning his 149th Test cap, Pivac was understandably full of adulation for Jones and his landmark moment.
"He’s a true leader and it’s a phenomenal achievement," Pivac acknowledged. "He not only leads by example in the games but in training, he’s magnificent in the way he carries himself. He’s the first to every drill, always doing his extras and very professional in the way he prepares for training. The way he goes about previewing and reviewing the opposition, he’s a great example for us."
Lewis-Hughes is joined in the Wales starting XV by Exeter's Tomas Francis and Wasps' Will Rowlands, after facing each other in last weekend's Gallagher Premiership final for their respective clubs, plus Gareth Davies, Owen Watkin and Liam Williams. Pivac was open in admitting that George North, now on 99 Test caps, Aaron Wainwright and (partly) Nick Tompkins have all been dropped following their performances in Paris.
Pivac will be hoping that a win over Scotland can ease some of the pressure on his coaching staff after losing four Tests in a row. His predecessor, Warren Gatland, highlighted the added scrutiny that comes with international rugby earlier this week.
"Obviously there is a lot more pressure than coaching the club game and we are well aware of our record, like everybody is. What I can say is we are very focussed, very determined to follow a path and that leads to the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and everything we do is based around being successful there. We will try our utmost to win every game of rugby that we play and we know the public in Wales are thirsty for winning rugby, so we will try to dish that up this weekend and continue to do that."
The Wales team was named shortly after the death of former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing JJ Williams had been announced. Williams, famed for his time with the Lions in 1974 and 1977, as well as winning two Grand Slams with Wales in the 1970s, passed away at the age of 72.
“On behalf of the national squad, management and team, our thoughts and condolences go out to JJ’s family and friends," Pivac said. "It is always poignant when you have a player of that ilk sadly passing away." Wales will wear black armbands on Saturday to remember Williams.
