Ospreys make Jones captain
Ospreys have given the huge job of captaincy for this season to lock player Alun Wyn Jones.
Jones will now have the responsibility of guiding Ospreys through the season as the club looks to retain their Magners League crown by the end of the year. It is a huge job for Jones who says he is looking forward to the extra challenge.
Ospreys are gifted to be much stronger in a variety of areas than many other clubs in the Magners League. It will now be Jones' job to represent the club both on and off the field for the next nine months in the hope that he doesn't let his playing performance drop in the process.
Jones has a number of skills and qualities that will allow him to do well in his new role at the club. He will have to take everything on board very quickly because it can often take a new captain a little bit of time to start playing well with the added burden.
Skills and qualities
Jones cuts a very intimidating figure in the Ospreys team. This is very important for a side that is trying to make an impression on their opponents before a ball has even been kicked in a match.
As he plays at lock it will be very easy for him to link up various parts of the team in defence and attack. He can use his vocal skills to blast out commands and give players a warning when they are either not playing well or are out of position.
He seems genuinely ready and happy to take on the role. He's played 55 times in five years at Ospreys and may have started to doubt himself a little bit. The extra responsibility will give him a boost and this will be displayed through his performance and charisma on the field.
Jones said: "To be appointed captain is one of the memorable moments in your career, it's a fantastic honour. It's the start of a new chapter in my rugby career I suppose, and in my personal development. It's probably my biggest challenge to date, looking forward there's a lot in my career that I want to achieve."
Hit the ground running
The club will want Jones to hit the ground running with his new role because it's very important that he can get off to a good start. He is still very young at 24 and it may take him a little while to get used to the fact that he will be constantly representing Ospreys in every walk of his life.
This could make it difficult for the player to take to the role as easily as many are expecting and want him to. This will generate friction between Jones and a number of other parties but these are things he will have to cope with for the honour of the captaincy.
He added: "Being captain of the regional side, and representing not just Swansea like I aspired to, but also the other famous clubs that make up the region, it's a big responsibility. I want to play a small part in what we know we can achieve at the Ospreys, and that ambition has always been there."
Betting advice
Ospreys would have been the favourites before this news and they will remain the favourites after it. It can often take a new captain a little bit of time to settle in the new role but the club have enough quality across the squad to make sure that the results don't suffer as a consequence.
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