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- My “Sausage” Is A Six Nations Sizzler Says Scarlets Chief After Wyn Jones’ Wales Double
By James Dodd
Glenn Delaney believes Scarlets and Wales prop Wyn Jones is the best in the business at the moment.
The Kiwi coach has been involved with Jones at regional level since the start of the 2019/20 season, when Delaney joined as defence coach.
Since then Jones has become a Wales regular at loose-head and has been gaining rave reviews for his performances in the opening two rounds of the Six Nations.
“He’s going alright, isn’t he?” said Delaney.
“When you put a wine down, you want it to mature and get better with age – I think that’s just what we’ve seen with ‘Sausage’”.
“He’s been outstanding. His all court game is something that probably surprises most, but we see a lot of that.
“His turnovers, his off-loads, in the jackal area. He’s competitive in everything, he’s physical and he’s scrummaging the house down.
“I think he’s the form loose-head in the Six Nations competition right now. He’s done that because of hard work – that’s what it is.”
Wales prop Wyn Jones has signed a new contract to stay at the Scarlets, apparently rejecting interest from French giants in the process. pic.twitter.com/U54HQma5Xm
— Well Placed Source ™ (@michaelkwambo) January 20, 2021
Jones started both matches in Wales’ opening two victories against Ireland in Cardiff and then last weekend’s win at Murrayfield against Scotland.
The 28-year-old scored a vital try against the Scots, only minutes after being on the wrong side of Zander Fagerson’s shoulder charge – an offence which saw the Scottish player red carded.
Delaney emphasised how much graft the 32-cap Jones has put in recently.
“He’s come through a very different route. When life’s not easy and you have to strive and work hard every day – that’s all he’s done.
“I think he should be very proud that he is reaping the rewards of all that hard work and tenacity he has put into his game.
“I couldn’t be prouder of him, he’s a champion bloke and he really deserves to be playing as well as he is because of the work he has put in.”
As the Six Nations takes a week off, all eyes will now turn on this weekend’s Guinness Pro14 action.
Delaney’s side host winless Benetton on Saturday afternoon at Parc y Scarlets.
The Welsh side come into the game after conceding more than 50 points against Leinster in Llanelli a few weeks back.
“We’re aware of where we were at in that game,” added Delaney.
“We were competing well but the two tries they scored before half time really took the contest away from us and then we were just playing catch up.
“There has been a lot of things we’ve taken away from it in terms of trying to get better. That’s the clear message – that’s always the way we work here.
“We’re really fortunate the playing group have been magnificent.”
After losing twice to Cardiff Blues in January, the Scarlets are now on a three-match losing streak.
The former London Irish coach insists it’s about being more ruthless when the white line is within reach.
Scotland v Wales – Zander Fagerson red card.
Harsh or fair?#WalvSco #CymvAlb@thepaulwilliams @Steffan_Thomas1 @RhysapWilliam @ShaneWilliams11 @geraint_hardy @WelshCharityVet pic.twitter.com/tq6WLo4htb— 218 Events (@218Events) February 13, 2021
“I think the early part of January was fine but some of the execution and the opportunities we were creating – we just weren’t taking them.
“We looked at that second Cardiff game and there were plenty of chances for us to score points and we weren’t executing.
“We’ve just stripped that back a bit and we’ll keep working on the skill set, the decision-making, and also the communication around that.
“It’s all well and good creating an opportunity that everyone can see, but the people that are in the play – they’re the ones who have got to recognise it and communicate effectively.
“That’s really where the focus has been.”
Scarlets play Italian outfit Benetton this Saturday, with kick-off at 15:00.
