Alun Wyn Jones: British and Irish Lions hope for return of Wales captain

Alun Wyn Jones is the world record cap holder with 157, which includes 148 internationals for Wales and the past nine British and Irish Lions Tests against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand

Alun Wyn Jones has been backed by kicking coach Neil Jenkins to return for the British and Irish Lions Test series against South Africa as the side prepares for its first warm-up game.

Warren Gatland's team face the Sigma Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

They travelled to South Africa without Jones, who dislocated his shoulder in a warm-up win against Japan.

But head coach Gatland has since suggested Jones could defy the odds and make a return.

Jenkins agreed, saying: "If anyone could get back to play a Test series at this level, he could.

"There's no doubting that. If he can get himself right, that would be a huge plus for us.

"If someone of that calibre becomes available and he's able to represent us, it's a no-brainer.

"I have never written him off in any way, shape or form. Nothing surprises me with Al. He's an incredible player both on and off the pitch."

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Gatland expects more injuries in 'tough and physical' tour

Kyle Sinckler will start for the Lions on Saturday after being called up to replace the injured Andrew Porter

Saturday's match at the iconic Ellis Park will be the first of five warm-up matches before the Lions take on world champions South Africa on consecutive weekends from 24 July.

The Lions have not lost a series since they last played in South Africa in 2009, beating Australia in 2013 and drawing with New Zealand four years later.

After a year of uncertainty over whether the tour could go ahead due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gatland's side is now confronting strict bubble protocols with cases rising in South Africa.

And the team has already been beset with injuries before even playing a game on foreign soil.

Captain Jones is the most high-profile absentee and Justin Tipuric was also a casualty of the Japan game, while prop Andrew Porter was ruled out at the beginning of June.

Tom Curry has not been involved yet because of a pectoral injury which will keep him out until at least Wednesday's game against the Sharks, a fixture Robbie Henshaw will miss because of a hamstring strain.

Gatland has suggested Jones could make a "miracle" return in time for the Tests, but acknowledges that further injuries are likely to affect his side before the tour is over.

Referencing late call-ups for Kyle Sinckler, Adam Beard and Josh Navidi, he said: "It's not going to be the last calls we're going to make because we know how tough and physical it's going to be."

'Exciting' Russell and Farrell to start

While Ireland's Conor Murray has been named as tour captain in place of Jones, Scotland's Stuart Hogg will lead the side from full-back on Saturday.

Gatland says he wants to give every player an opportunity to stake their claim on a place in the Test side in the first three games and so has made 14 changes to the team that beat Japan.

Hogg will be one of those eager to face the Springboks given he is embarking on his third tour and is yet to earn a Test cap for the Lions.

The most significant selection choice is perhaps in the midfield, where Scotland's Finn Russell starts at 10 and England captain Owen Farrell at 12.

Gatland said the pair had "worked really well together", adding that it is "pretty exciting to have a look at that combination".

The head coach said Farrell will have a chance to play at 10 "at some stage", but both he and Russell will have to do a lot to supplant Dan Biggar after the Welshman's impressive performance against Japan.

"Finn has a slightly different way of playing," Gatland continued.

"He's matured amazingly in the last few years in terms of his game management and the way he controls the game.

"We know what flair he has from an attacking perspective, but it's also those deft attacking kicks that he's able to bring to his game."

Russell will be up against 20-year-old fly-half Jordan Hendrikse, starting for a Sigma Lions side that lost four out of five matches in the recent Rainbow Cup, but previously reached Super Rugby finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Line-ups

British and Irish Lions: Hogg; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Farrell, Adams; Russell, Price; W Jones, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes, H Watson, Faletau.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Henderson, Simmonds, Davies, Aki, Daly.

Sigma Lions: Viljoen; Ulengo, Rass, Odendaal, Maxwane; Hendrikse, Smit; McBeth, Botha, Dreyer, Schoeman, Nothnagel, Sangweni, V Tshituka, Horn (capt).

Replacements: Visagie, Sithole, Sadie, Straeuli, 20. E Tshituka, Van den Berg, Zeilinga, Kriel.