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Returning Alun Wyn Jones slams Ospreys hierarchy
Tuesday, 07 January 2020 - 17:14 | Views - 332

Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones will return to action for the Ospreys this weekend and, ahead of their game with Saracens, the second-row has criticised the region’s hierarchy.

The Swansea outfit were once the benchmark for the Welsh sides, but have faltered over recent years and have endured an awful campaign in 2019/20.

They have won just one match but much of the focus has centred on their financial issues, which almost saw them merge with the Scarlets last season.

Despite their problems on and off the field, Jones, who has not featured for the team since May due to the Rugby World Cup and injury, praised the players’ attitude and criticised some of the people behind the scenes.

“It comes to a point where you need to be honest,” he told reporters.

“You could say that [the players’ application] isn’t being replicated in other areas of our rugby entity at the minute. I’m saying that because I’ve been here longer than most.

“There are guys who are doing everything they can, being questioned and answering those questions to the press and trying to do it on the pitch.

“There are probably other people who aren’t being held to account. It’s difficult to say, but that’s what I feel having watched and been involved with the Ospreys for so long.

“I’m not going to name names, but there were eyebrows raised about recruitment, and the squad that we had and the success that we probably had in the past has papered over the cracks.

“We find ourselves where we are. There are a series of decisions and actions that probably haven’t supported the rugby side of the business.”

Jones, who captains the national team, is one of the most experienced players in the country and the second-row says that he has attempted to raise those issues with the people in charge.

“It is difficult when you try to give that feedback because there are actions and reactions. I think sometimes we can be less reactive,” Jones said.

“Hopefully something will be addressed and that is the positive point of having a forum. Whether it falls on deaf ears or not is the question.”

The Ospreys will face holders Saracens in the Champions Cup this weekend having lost all four of their games in the competition so far.

They also reside at the bottom of the PRO14, but Jones insists that commitment will not be a problem over the next few months.

“However difficult it is being injured, it’s not as difficult as the period the boys have found themselves in so hopefully I can come back and put my oar into the water and help things go forward,” he added.

“This is a clear message from someone who has been involved and had to watch a difficult period in Ospreys rugby, the players are still giving 100 per cent.

“I know we are not where people would like and have been in the past but the players we have are still conscious of what we represent and effort required.”

 

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