ALUN WYN JONES will captain Wales for the upcoming Six Nations campaign, bringing an end to flanker Sam Warburton’s six years in the role.
Interim coach Rob Howley today announced a 36-man squad which includes seven debutants and a notable (C) beside the name of the veteran second row.
Ospreys lock Jones, 31, has previously captained his national side on five occasions and also led the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory against Australia four years ago, taking over from Warburton who missed the deciding Test through injury.
Jones’ appointment also strengthens his case to be named by Warren Gatland as the Lions captain for the tour of New Zealand later this year.
Warburton, 28, was made Wales captain in 2011 and led the side to a World Cup semi-final against France later that year, where he was famously sent off by Irish referee Alain Rolland for a tip tackle.
The Cardiff Blues back rower has struggled with injuries in recent times but has been included in Wales’ squad for the tournament which gets under way early next month.
Howley’s squad includes a number of new faces including the likes of Leicester fly-half Owen Williams who Munster fans will be particularly familiar with after his last-minute penalty earned the English side a 9-8 Champions Cup win at Welford Road last month.
The other six debutants in the squad are flanker Olly Cracknell (Ospreys), scrum-half Aled Davies (Scarlets), outside back Steffan Evans (Scarlets), wing Ashton Hewitt (Dragons), lock Rory Thornton (Ospreys) and flanker Thomas Young.
Among the players to miss out on selection are the injured trio of Gareth Anscombe, Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate, and Paul James, Lloyd Williams and Tyler Morgan.
Howley was delighted to name Jones as his skipper but reserved special mention for Warburton and the manner in which he has led his country over the past six years.
“It’s an honour to select Alun Wyn as captain,” Howley said.
“His vast experience, as a player and a leader will help drive this squad forward and I believe he will flourish in the role.
“Sam [Warburton] has led Wales more times than any other captain and had great success in the role, however we want him to concentrate on his game and to be the best player he can be.
“We had conversations during and since the autumn with Sam, no player is guaranteed their place in an international team and we want Sam to be playing his very best rugby and he agrees this is the best way forward.”
The squad will meet up next Monday to begin preparations ahead of their opening Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome on Sunday, 5 February.
Ireland travel to Cardiff in the fourth round of matches, for a Friday night game at the Principality Stadium on 10 March.
Full squad:
Forwards: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (13 caps), Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (7), Rob Evans (Scarlets) (12), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys) (14), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (17), Samson Lee (Scarlets) (29), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3), Ken Owens (Scarlets) (45), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (28), Jake Ball (Scarlets) (21), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (105), Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (0), Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (71), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3), James King (Ospreys) (10), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (46), Olly Cracknell (Ospreys), (0), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby) (12), *Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby) (62), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) (69), Thomas Young (Wasps) (0).
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (21), Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (23), Aled Davies (Scarlets) (0), Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (51), Sam Davies (Ospreys) (3), Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers) (0), *Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (86), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (59), Scott Williams (Scarlets) (41), Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons) (0), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (44), Steffan Evans (Scarlets) (0), *George North (Northampton Saints) (65), Liam Williams (Scarlets) (38), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (66).
*denotes wildcard selection
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