ALUN WYN JONES’ outstanding captaincy of Wales seen to such dramatic effect in last season’s Six Nations Grand Slam triumph has been helped no end by being a father, he told The Daily Telegraph.
The second row forward – who will become Wales’s most capped player with 126 caps if he faces England at Twickenham on Sunday – is the father of two daughters, Mali, 4, and one-year-old Efa.
Jones, who will be 34 by the time Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Georgia on September 23 in Japan, said prior to having children with his wife, university lecturer Anew, he did not have much thought for his team-mates.
“When I was a young professional, I was quite selfish and self-focused,” he said.
“You care for yourself because you ultimately want to achieve your goals.”
Jones – capped nine times by the British and Irish Lions – says fatherhood has made him more interested in his team-mates and as a result he is aware of why some might not be performing at their best.
“Everybody has a story, if you scratch the surface a little bit; it helps you understand why somebody might not be performing well.
“It is nice then to find out when someone has some positive news.
“I want people to know about my family and it is good to share any questions or qualms with the other guys.”
Alun Wyn Jones led Wales to a stunning Grand Slam victory during this year’s Six Nations. Source: David Davies