Welsh coach Warren Gatland backs Ryan Jones
Wales coach Warren Gatland has backed his injured captain Ryan Jones, insisting that he would have captained the team had he been fit for the Test against Australia on Saturday, 6 November.
Jones relinquished his captaincy to Alun Wyn Jones with club side the Ospreys and since then a combination of injuries, form and his decision to pass the captain’s armband to Wyn Jones has led to speculation regarding his captaincy of Wales.
Speaking to the press, Gatland said, "Unfortunately, he [Jones] picked up an injury against Glasgow and if he had come through that and been fit, he would have been starting and would have captained the side against Australia."
Due to Jones’ calf injury, Matthew Rees was appointed as the captain of the Welsh team for the match against Australia, and depending on Jones’ injury, the hooker may continue in the role for the remaining internationals in the Autumn Series.
"It's a great chance for us to develop someone else within the team and Matthew gets his opportunity. Whether he does it for any more games, we need to look at Ryan in terms of how he's been recovering from that calf injury."
Gatland refused to rule out Jones for the Test match against South Africa on Saturday, 13 November.
"He may be in consideration for next week [against South Africa], you might pick him on the bench, but it's something we haven't really talked about at this stage and we'll discuss and just see what happens after the weekend," said the Welsh coach.
Gatland admitted that he is concerned about Jones and the lack of game time he has had with the Ospreys.
The back-row has played most of his games in the second row this season and Jonathan Thomas has become the Ospreys regular number eight.
However, Gatland has backed Jones and he will remain as captain for the foreseeable future.
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