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TOKYO, AFP: Alun Wyn Jones will become Wales’ most capped player when he leads out an unchanged team against Australia in their Rugby World Cup Pool D match on Sunday.
Captain Jones, winning his 130th cap, will be making his 119th start for Wales since he made his debut in 2006.
In total, with nine additional British and Irish Lions Test appearances, he moves onto 139 Test caps, joint fourth on the all-time list and level with former Australia captain George Gregan.
Jones will feature in the same pack that recorded an opening bonus-point 43-14 victory over Georgia in Toyota on Monday.
“On a personal level it’s nice for myself and my family,” the 34-year-old Jones said of the record previously held by now-retired prop Gethin Jenkins.
“But there’s a bigger picture which is the game. No one’s going to be worried by numbers on the stat sheets during the game – that’s my focus and how I’ll continue.” Head coach Warren Gatland joked that “you need a bit of luck” when asked about Jones’ achievement.
“He’s a great competitor, since he’s been captain, we don’t have as many fights at training, because he used to start most of them – that’s how competitive he is.
“People who get to the top have a desire and a drive to be successful and he’s definitely done that.
“To become Wales’ all-time Test player with 130 caps is pretty special... hopefully there are many more to come.” Gatland added: “We’re very lucky to have him in the team and captaining the side.” Jake Ball will pack down alongside the skipper with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis named in the front-row.
Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi form the back row, while Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar continue their partnership at half-back with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies forming the midfield partnership. Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams are named as the back three, with Wales’ sole change to the matchday squad the addition of Owen Watkin in place of Leigh Halfpenny on the bench.
Watkin provides backline cover alongside Tomos Williams and Rhys Patchell. Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis are named as the front-row replacements with Aaron Shingler and Ross Moriarty completing the line-up. “We had a good debate about the loose forwards, whether we start Ross Moriarty,” admitted Gatland.
“But we felt we wanted to give that team an opportunity. We felt they played pretty well (against Georgia), particularly in that first-half and we felt in the end it wasn’t fair to drop anyone.” Watkin’s inclusion was to provide direct cover for Parkes, who is picked despite a small fracture in his hand.
