 and marked his 154th Wales outing as a substitute during the team's recent 23-55 defeat at home to New Zealand. That inspired former South Africa prop Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira to suggest it was "about time to retire," tweeting: "A good dancer knows when to leave the dance floor. . .I am sure there is a young Welsh lock waiting for his turn in that jersey." The comment caused debate among fans, but Williams was among those to defend his fellow legend as Jones eyes a place on the flight to France next year. Wales' all-time top try-scorer (58 in 87 appearances) made his own exit from the Test scene following the 2011 World Cup and believes Jones still has the moves to justify selection. Do you think Alun Wyn Jones will go to the 2023 Rugby World Cup? Let us know in the comments section. "I also believe a good dancer doesn't need to leave the dancefloor unless there's a better dancer [to replace him]," Williams told Mirror Sport. "Look, I'm a big fan of Alun Wyn - is he as sharp and as fresh as he was two or three seasons ago? Probably not, but let's be honest, everyone in Wales wants him involved in the squad because who do we have who's better at the moment? I think it's as plain and simple as that. "Alun Wyn works his socks off and gives 100 per cent all the time. If that rubbed off on half of them, then they'd be some players as well. I just don't believe we have many better second rows in Wales at the moment." Mtawarira's){kind=link}
EXCLUSIVE: Wales’ all-time record try-scorer, Shane Williams, tells Mirror Sport former team-mate Alun Wyn Jones should only be replaced in the squad when an adequate heir is found
Alun Wyn Jones looks all but certain to be a part of Wales ‘ plans at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Shane Williams has said his old team-mate deserves his spot until a better alternative is found.
Jones, 37, holds the record for Test appearances (166) and marked his 154th Wales outing as a substitute during the team’s recent 23-55 defeat at home to New Zealand. That inspired former South Africa prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira to suggest it was “about time to retire,” tweeting: “A good dancer knows when to leave the dance floor. . .I am sure there is a young Welsh lock waiting for his turn in that jersey.”
The comment caused debate among fans, but Williams was among those to defend his fellow legend as Jones eyes a place on the flight to France next year. Wales’ all-time top try-scorer (58 in 87 appearances) made his own exit from the Test scene following the 2011 World Cup and believes Jones still has the moves to justify selection.
Do you think Alun Wyn Jones will go to the 2023 Rugby World Cup? Let us know in the comments section.