Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Welsh fans expect Alun Wyn Jones to make lucrative move as speculation mounts

By Josh Raisey
Alun Wyn Jones before PRO14 Champions Cup playoff against Scarlets. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

With Wales’ Grand Slam winning captain Alun Wyn Jones’ dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and the Ospreys set to expire at the end of the season, fans are speculating his next move on social media.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 33-year-old has been with the Ospreys for the entirety of his career so far, and has not opted for a more lucrative contract in France or England that some of him compatriots have done over the years. However, many Welsh fans feel that the 125-cap lock deserves a move away in the final years of his career.

With Warren Gatland set to coach the British and Irish Lions in 2021 in South Africa, Jones is the favourite to lead the team in what would be his fourth tour, which is why some feel he may stay in Wales. However, as he has over 60 caps for his country, that would not rule him out of national selection if he were to move after the World Cup.

A rugby career is only a finite amount of time, and the Welsh fans understand that it is in his interests financially to make a move away from the Liberty Stadium, as many of Europe’s elite clubs will be after the Six Nations Player of the Championship.

Furthermore, fans of various clubs across England have started speculating a move for Jones across the Severn.
This is what the fans are saying:

ADVERTISEMENT

After losing former Wallabies skipper James Horwill this season, Harlequins fans are calling for Jones to make the move to south west London after the World Cup, as he could be one of the two players outside of the salary cap.

Ultimately, being the servant that he is to Welsh rugby, Jones would only make the move away if he was offered a significant salary rise. Unfortunately for the Ospreys, the majority of clubs in Europe, or even Japan, would be willing to meet the demands of one of the best players on the planet currently.

You may also like: Italy plays host to Jim in the latest episode of our Rugby Explorer series

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search