Rugby World Cup 2019: Tireless and talismanic, Alun Wyn Jones eyes immortal glory with Wales

Interview: Wales’ all-time leading cap holder has been one of rugby’s dominant forces for over a decade – and he’s not done yet

Alun Wyn Jones celebrated his 34th birthday four days before Wales defeated Georgia 43-14 in their opening Pool D fixture at the City of Toyota Stadium on Monday.

At a point in his life when most second-row forwards, especially the elite few who have served at the coal-face with such distinction as Jones, are looking back on their careers from the comfort of the stands, the current Wales captain will be gearing up to go again. It’s all Jones knows.

One of his favourite documentaries is Ice Guardians - a Netflix film about players known as “enforcers” in the Canadian National Hockey League who are routinely sent out to fight on behalf of their team-mates and who suffer, inevitably, an enormous physical toll as the years wear on.

“At the end of the documentary, one of the players is asked what they’d do differently if he had his time again and he replies; ‘I’d do it all again, I’d just go harder.’ I loved that.” Jones explains.

With a record-breaking 139 caps to his name, nine British and Irish Lions caps including one as captain, three Grand Slams and enough accolades to make any man blush, the one club Ospreys man has already achieved more than most rugby players could ever dream.

His titanic contributions to his team’s Grand Slam effort last season reminded many, as if a reminder was needed, he remains a competitor capable of standing toe-to-toe with the very best in the world. Physically, he remains monstrously competitive.

When Wales beat England in Cardiff, it was Jones who took it upon himself to man-mark one of England’s most potent physical threats; Kyle Sinkler. There was only ever going to be one winner.

“Alun Wyn is going to go down as a legend of the game in Wales,” Warren Gatland said.

“People are going to recognise the contribution he has made to the game and what a competitor he is. How demanding he is of himself and others.

“I’m fortunate to have had a lot of experiences with him and watched him mature, grow up, have kids and go from being a young man to a petulant rugby player to a more relaxed and focused man because of his other responsibilities.

“He led incredibly well by example and attitude in the Six Nations. He was the player of the Six Nations and is recognised worldwide as one of the best players in his position in the world. He thoroughly deserves that.

Jones won a record-breaking 139th cap in Wales' win against Georgia (Getty)

“The bigger the occasion, the bigger the challenge, the more he tends to thrive.”

The admiration for Jones, who was referred to as “Mr Angry” in his early days of international rugby but has been mellowed by time, fatherhood and perspective, is by no means restricted to his team-mates.

“Alun Wyn Jones is what I’d call a proper Test player,” England head coach Eddie Jones said. “Every time he plays it’s a seven out of 10. If he plays well it’s an eight out of 10. If he plays poorly he’s a six and a half.

“He gives you everything he’s got. He’s in the middle of everything and is one of those players when you put him on the field the other blokes are going to follow him. He’s an outstanding player.”

Greatness has long since been achieved but increasingly the question is being asked in Wales; Is Alun Wyn Jones our greatest ever? Deliver the World Cup in Japan, and there will be no need to even ask.

Jones lifts the Six Nations trophy after Wales completed the Grand Slam (Getty)

“He is arguably the greatest Welsh rugby player ever,” said former Wales and Lions captain Ryan Jones at the Pro14 launch recently.

“History will tell us when he smashes the cap records and if he lifts a World Cup he’s going to be held in the highest esteem of all.”

In the short-term, Jones will buckle down and prepare himself judiciously and meticulously, as he always has done, for what is surely his fourth and final World Cup.

After that, the Lions captaincy will be up for grabs on the tour to South Africa in 2021, before he contemplates his place among the greats of all time.

Jones is targeting a last Lions tour (Getty)

Jones himself is not fussed by the attention. Now the father of two young children and with a sense of perspective he did not possess when he began his professional rugby journey as an 19-year-old back in 2006.

For him, all that matters now is delivering for his team and his family. The rest is just noise.

“It’s funny when people ask me about status,” he said. “What is status? It’s all about the environment you’re in. I know my status at home and I’m definitely not top of the tree there.”

As he negotiates his 35th year, Jones knows his place. In rugby terms at least, it’s at the very top table. Alun Wyn Jones is only looking forward.