Wayne Pivac has rejected the idea that Alun Wyn Jones has been selected to face Italy on sentimental grounds or to put bums on seats, revealing the Lions captain has signed a new WRU deal taking him through to the 2023 World Cup.
Jones has been recalled to win his 150th Welsh cap in the second row in what will be his first outing since he seriously damaged his shoulder against New Zealand in October. You can see all the team news here.
He takes over from Will Rowlands who loses his place in the starting line-up despite having had an outstanding Six Nations campaign, with Dan Biggar retaining the captaincy.
Read more: Will Rowlands has been Wales' player of the Six Nations
Explaining the decision to bring Jones straight back into the side, Pivac said: “There are a number of guys we believe can do that.
“He’s been with us a few weeks now, so we’ve monitored everything he has done. He’s trained very well, ticked all the boxes. I think the injection of a few fresh players is going to be good
“The fact that he will be playing 150 Test matches, which no-one else on the planet has ever done, just shows he is a special person. We think he is one who can come back as he has done in the past.”
Asked if it was a sentimental selection, Pivac said: “No, you have to earn your right. You’ve got to train hard, you’ve got to make sure you tick all the boxes and he has done that. For this particular match, 150 matches in front of a home crowd is something special and to play it with Dan (Biggar) on his 100th, it’s one we’re comfortable with.”
On the likelihood of the 36-year-old Jones going through to the 2023 World Cup in France, Pivac said: “Yeah, I hope so, as we’ve contracted him that far. There’s never been any question in my mind that he wouldn’t be unless there was injury.
“He clearly has to maintain form and be selectable. Him and I have the understanding that’s his target.”
Asked whether there had been any pressure from the WRU marketing department to select Jones in order to sell tickets, Pivac said: “There’s certainly nothing from the marketing department.
“I would like to think it will put extra bums on seats and that we get a sell-out crowd to recognise Dan and Alun Wyn’s achievement. To have two guys with those playing records to achieve those milestones on the same day is something special.
“I would like to think with a 2.15pm kick-off and families coming along that a lot of people will want to be there to see that.
“But it’s a rugby decision, a decision that we spoke long and hard about as to which way to go and we’re comfortable with the decision.”.”
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