By Graham Thomas
Alun Wyn Jones has warned England coach Eddie Jones that Wales may be a small country, but it is special.
Australian Jones gave a masterclass of back-handed compliments and hidden insults when he dissected his opponents as a team and as a nation.
It was combative as well as complimentary, often in the same sentence, as Jones called Wales a “small country” or “little country” on three occasions.
The man who took over from the ever-so-careful Stuart Lancaster said: “Games have been played against Wales since, 1881? The score is very close, like it’s 58-57? There’s that intense rivalry there, and you’re never going to get away from that. There’s this little country sitting there next to a big country. It’s little brother, big brother.”
Namesake Alun Wyn has no need for lessons in history when it comes to England-Wales games. He will win his 98th Wales cap tomorrow at Twickenham and it will be his 14th time against the old enemy.
The second row warrior is just on the right side of break even, too, with seven victories compared to six defeats.
© Huw Evans Picture Agency
The Ospreys player says Wales are, indeed, a team representing a small nation. But they have big ideas, justified by previous achievements.
“We have an environment to uphold, not just on the park, but off the park as well,” says Jones. “That’s the level of expectation we have created, playing for a small but special country like Wales.
“I was there in the pre-World Cup game of 2007 when we got spanked. I’ve also been fortunate to have a few wins and experience can count for a lot. I have had a few losses there as well.
“We can take a lot out of the last win there on the rugby side of things. But as an occasion it was a bit of a micro-climate. It was the Rugby World Cup, so there was a lot of hoo-ha about the competition itself. But if you take away all the gloss and the fanfare, then the result was pretty good for us.”
Jones’ great Six Nations rival of recent years, Ireland’s Paul O’Connell, may have gone, the England second row has a fresh-faced look to it with Maro Itoje, but Jones soldiers on.
He is on course to join Gethin Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams as owners of 100 Wales caps this summer. Then, there is the chance of a third Lions tour next year to New Zealand.
But for the moment, there is the immediate opportunity to beat England for an eighth time and set up a third championship title in five years – although he warns the opposition have improved.
He is an admirer of Otoje, the Saracens lock who will make only his second start for England.
“All credit to him, he has shown that if you are good enough then you are old enough.
Alun Wyn Jones of Wales.
“England have managed to harden their edge up front, whilst at the same time they have become sharper along their back line.
“Every team wants to have that physical edge. You can see the definite Saracens influence and the way they play. I think England are always going to have that from the sheer volume of players they have to select from.
“They are always going to have strength in depth with their tight-five and their back row and you have seen that with the performances of certain individuals.
“They will be happy with way they are after three games and you can see that edge growing. The players there will be wanting to say that this is a new era for English rugby. Yes, they still have set piece capability, and it’s a massive part of their game, but they also have a great balance with capability out wide also.
“Toby v Vunipola will be one of the battles within the game. Both players are on a fine burst of form and have probably been the stand-out No.8s in the tournament so far. Toby has gone well for us and Billy has been the talisman in the England pack.
“He gives them go forward, off the back of a good set-piece, but he also links up well out wide. I think he’s been given a bit more license to link up with the players out wide. He’s been pretty destructive.
“As a player, it does not make any difference in this game if you are underdogs or not.”
