In the era of Warren Gatland (2008-2019), Welsh rugby experienced a true revival – four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams, and two World Cup semi-finals to be specific. 

Despite being the smallest tier-1 rugby nation in the world, Wales climbed all the way to the #1 spot in the World Rankings and came within moments of two World Cup finals in 2011 and 2019. Not bad for a little old country. 

Watch Wales take on France!

Not so little, however, has been the mountain of a man at the heart of this whole resurgence: Alun-Wyn Jones (AWJ). 

Through every moment of Gatland’s tenure in Wales, AWJ was right there, leading the pack from the front and serving as a talisman for the proud nation. Jones has grown from a young, lanky, scrum-cap wearing lad into an old, grizzled hard-man, but one thing has remained consistent: he always shows up. 

And show up he will once again on Saturday against Scotland, marking the 149^th test appearance in his illustrious career. His next cap will put him in sole place atop the list as the most capped international player of all-time, overtaking arguably the greatest player ever in Richie McCaw. 

Wales Needs Results

If the Gatland era was something of a revival, the post-Gatland era has been anything but. Under new boss Wayne Pivac, AWJ and company are reeling, having lost four games in a row and staring at a possible fifth straight defeat on Saturday against Scotland. 

Alun-Wyn Jones is no stranger to success, so it sure isn’t beyond him or the team to turn things around ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup in November. However, Wales will need to tighten up the defense, start winning the collisions, and cut out the handling errors before they take on England, Ireland, and Georgia in the ANC. 

Watch the entire Autumn Nations Cup right here on FloRugby!

Saturday is an important milestone for Alun-Wyn Jones in a legendary career, but more important to him will be righting the ship before their Autumn Nations Cup campaign begins on November 13 against Ireland.