Six Nations tournament: Alun Wyn Jones, the indestructible of Wales

You may not know it, but you may have seen it before.

A wintry Sunday afternoon on television, with his red jersey, number 5 on the back, his bull neck, his piercing blue eyes and a piece of white tape over his ears.

Alun Wyn Jones, 35, is a rugby landmark.

Like a statue in the middle of a village: we no longer look at it, but we know it is there.

The captain of Wales has not missed any VI Nations tournament since… 2007, when he made his debut in this legendary event 14 years ago.

This Saturday, he will again take his Red Devils against the XV of France (9 p.m., at the Stade de France), to try to win a fourth Grand Slam, after those of 2008, 2012 and 2019.

A new record in sight for this second row of 1.98 m for 122 kg, which will also equal, this Saturday, the All-Black Richie McCaw in celebrating his 148th selection for his country.

Or, alone, more selections than the eight players of the French pack combined!

Alun Wyn Jones is even already absolute record holder of international matches (156) if we add his 9 capes for the British and Irish Lions.

“I'm flattered, but these are just numbers, swept the colossus last fall on the World Rugby site.

Frankly, it's a job like any other, whether you're a sports journalist, carpenter or plumber.

You do X years and you stop.

You go up so many kitchens and stop, so many bathrooms and stop.

I don't keep an account book.

I just got the chance to do the job I love.

I still have a few years ahead of me and I intend to savor them.

This is where I get my hunger.

"

Resistant to injuries

A rugby craftsman who seems to resist injuries, rather rare for a player of his age in such an exposed position, in the heart of the scrum.

“He's a very professional person.

He hardly misses any game.

His lifestyle, his preparation… Nothing is left to chance.

He knows how to aim right.

But it is also because in Wales, there is less competition and he is available to his selection, his club matches are only used for preparation.

Such longevity would not have been possible if he had evolved into the Top 14, ”said Pascal Papé, former second line of the Blues (65 caps between 2004 and 2015), who faced him on numerous occasions.

On December 5, for example, Alun Wyn Jones injured his knee against Italy in the Autumn Cup (38-18).

His coach at the Ospreys (his long-time club in Swansea) fears an absence of several months.

Eight weeks later, on February 7, he was nevertheless on the lawn of Cardiff for the start of the Six Nations Tournament against Ireland (victory for the Welsh 21-16).

And does not make up the figures: he then contributes to the success of his team against Scotland, England and Italy, with an average of 13 tackles per game… Not yet a pre-retirement rate for the one who was named best player of the Tournament in 2019.

What does not impress young French uninhibited.

"He's a legend, but once you've said that?

He's a rugby player, not a superman!

“, Assured Charles Ollivon, captain of the Blues, last year.

Romain Taofifenua, who will face him directly on Saturday - they play at the same position - did not say anything else this week: “He is their leader.

He is very active.

But, last weekend, there were other great players on the pitch.

This is the case in every team at my post.

I'm not focusing on that.

"

Already against Ibanez, Chabal, Papé ...

Before Romain Taofifenua, they were very numerous among the French to scrap with the Welsh giant.

Alun Wyn Jones began his international career in 2006 and played his first Tournament in 2007, when the XV of France was coached by a certain Bernard Laporte, current president of the FFR, with as captain Raphaël Ibanez, now manager of the XV of France.

In the second row, he started against Jérôme Thion and Lionel Nallet.

And also crossed the Chabal, Dusautoir and Guirado generations.

Pascal Papé remembers a "very good player in touch, who moves around a lot, likes to scrape in the rucks, very combative but also intelligent with the rule: he knows how to make mistakes when necessary and also to influence the referees ..."

Among his 148 selections, Alun Wyn Jones keeps one particularly in mind: the semi-final of the World Cup in 2011, lost (8-9) against France.

"So much the better if he keeps it across the throat," smiles Pascal Papé, also on the ground that day.

This is for all the times he made us suffer during the Tournament.

This Saturday, Alun Wyn Jones will try again to derail the French.

Before moving on to other objectives: the tour of the British Lions this summer, an experience in Japan which would have made him a miraculous offer then, before perhaps a 16th Tournament in 2022 and a World Cup in France in 2023. He will then be 38 years old.

As long as he's still hungry ...