By David Williams
Alun Wyn Jones has proven he should captain the British and Irish Lions captain this summer, according to former Wales star James Hook.
Jones captained Wales to impressive wins over Ireland, Scotland, England and Italy during this year’s Six Nations, but they were denied a first Grand Slam under Wayne Pivac when France beat them with a last-gasp try in Paris on Saturday.
Wales still have strong hopes of winning the tournament, with France needing a bonus-point victory by a margin of at least 21 points over Scotland on Friday to snatch the title, but the thoughts of their players will now begin to turn to this summer’s Lions tour against South Africa.
Jones already has experience of captaining the Lions, having led them in their series-deciding 41-16 victory over Australia in 2013 in the absence of Sam Warburton, and Hook believes the 35-year-old should be given the chance to do so again when Gatland names his squad in May.
Hook – who played over 80 times for Wales and toured with the Lions in 2009 – told Sky Sports News: “I think he’s got to be.
“You look at that performance the other night from Alun Wyn and look at his performance throughout the whole of the Six Nations, especially after coming back from a couple of months off from injury.
“How can he not be Lions captain after that?”
Hook played alongside Jones with Ospreys as well as Wales, and was watching from home as his former team-mate came within seconds of leading the side to glory in Paris.
Reflecting on the game, Hook said: “It was heart-breaking. I think both teams were absolutely fantastic. Everything was left out on the field.
“It was a brave, brave effort by Wales. I thought they attacked really well. But France, the way they held onto possession to see out that game was incredible.
“We can still win the championship but we were that close to winning a Grand Slam. But it wasn’t to be, and you’ve got to give credit to France as well.
“It was probably one of the best games I’ve ever seen in the Six Nations.”
Wales’ defeat was full of controversial moments, including the decision by referee Luke Pearce to send off France’s Paul Willemse for making contact with Wyn Jones’ eye when clearing him from a ruck.
France head coach Fabian Galthie accused Wales – who saw three opponents handed red cards in five Six Nations games – of trying to get opposition players sent off.
But Hook dismissed Galthie’s comments, saying: “I’ve got to disagree with that. I think it was a clear red card.”
Wales hooker Ken Owens has also rebuffed the claims of Galthie and described them as “ridiculous”.
“All I can do is defend my team-mates and say one thing we don’t do on the field is to actively try and get opposition players sent off,” said Owens.
“It’s a little bit ridiculous because it’s something we don’t look to do. He may have his opinions – that’s up to Fabien.
“Wyn is fine. I didn’t see the incident but saw the neck roll.
“I’m not saying anything untrue when I say it wasn’t done on purpose or anything like that. The referees need to make a decision and it’s tough with TMOs and all the rest of it.
“World Rugby are looking to clean the game up and look after the players, whose welfare needs to be at the forefront. Referees and TMOs make their decisions and we have to go with it.”