Saint-Denis (AFP)

Alun Wyn Jones.

Twelve letters, almost 2 m and 120 kgs, 35 years old, 157 selections and above all a fifth Six Nations Tournament: the eternal captain of Wales has inscribed his name a little more in the legend.

This time, there will be no fourth Grand Slam, the fault of a test by Brice Dulin, in stoppage time against France (32-30).

After a perfect start to the 2021 Tournament, the Welsh were stopped by the Blues, unable to recover the deficit against Scotland.

It is therefore not at the Stade de France or at the Millennium but from Vale Resort, the training center of the XV du Leek, that Alun Wyn Jones will lift the winner's trophy on Saturday for the fourth time as captain.

For his first match against the Blues, on February 24, 2007, he had already lost (32-21).

In the opposite camp, Raphaël Ibanez was not yet manager of the Blues.

The hooker was then captain of a XV of France which included Christophe Dominici, Serge Betsen, Pierre Mignoni or Vincent Clerc ...

It was also the first - and only - selection of French stadium hooker Benoît August.

Fourteen years later, Jones has lost her blonde curls.

But not his self-sacrifice.

Because the gladiator has once again guided his troops to a sixth title since the Tournament is played with six teams (2000), the 28th in the history of the XV du Leek.

"He is like a good wine. The world of rugby is well aware of what it has brought to rugby in terms of performance and leadership", once estimated Warren Gatland, former coach of the XV du Leek who had appointed Jones captain for the first time in 2009.

This time, the eternal second row of the Ospreys missed the opportunity to overtake legends of the 70s and those of the 2000s, from JPR Williams to Gethin Jenkins to Adam Jones and Gareth Edwards.

- Longevity, leadership -

But "AWJ", in fifteen years of Welsh selection, it has forged a colossal track record, to which must be added two World Cup semi-finals (2011, 2019), for an XXL player.

The most capped man in history (148 caps, plus 9 with the British and Irish Lions) is also a courageous captain, able to put his head where some would not put their hands.

He ticks all the boxes of the modern second line: effective in hits as much as in scrums and rucks, he is also mobile despite his physical mover.

"He kind of reminds me of the effect the principal has at school when he walks into a classroom. You just know when he's there. He has that kind of influence on the players. He's a great guy. athlete and the way he manages his body ... it's ridiculous that he started in 2006 and still plays in 2021! ", considers for his part the ex-international James Hook (85 caps with Wales between 2006 and 2015).

Zen Jones is not the type to be impressed: before the decisive trip to France, he soberly mentioned "a relatively important match".

He also did not flinch after a provocation from the English pillar Joe Marler in March 2020.

Because Alun Wyn Jones is a source of inspiration for all of Wales: when things aren't going well, his teammates turn to him.

"In a world under pressure like that of international rugby, you want players who can provide leadership, exemplarity and performance at all levels," assures club coach Toby Booth.

"Alun Wyn Jones is someone you can count on constantly and who has been providing for a very long time. He sets an example on and off the pitch," added the technician.

A quiet giant who left his mark.

Indelible.

© 2021 AFP