I'M FED up of blowing smoke up Alun Wyn Jones' you-know-what, but I've got no doubt he can go on and make a fifth World Cup with Wales after signing a new Ospreys contract.
I think until both his legs fall off Al will just keep on going! The only person who could stop him making it to France 2023 is Alun Wyn himself.
Al wants to play in every single game, be that for the Ospreys or Wales.
He plays in one of the most physically demanding positions on the field and the way he trains and plays means he pushes his body to the absolute limit. He is always right on the edge and could suffer an injury at any moment.
However I think the odd injury has actually helped to elongate his career. He's had a couple of bumps, most recently on his knee. Thankfully none has been serious and little breaks here and there are, I'm sure, part of the reason why he's still going strong.
If you look around Welsh rugby it is immediately clear there is not a lock to rival him. In fact, no one is even close. I don't mean that to sound disparaging because we have some good ones in Wales. It's just none compare to Alun Wyn.
I'm sure Wayne Pivac will want him around for the next few years. Al was immense as Wales won this year's Six Nations and his engine is just as good as it has ever been.
The way he's playing is just incredible and for me he is the front runner to captain the Lions against South Africa.
When he's playing like this, why should he stop? It's great he's staying around with the Ospreys and Wales for at least another year and the way he's managed by both region and country will be key to him carrying on until 2023. Al won't like me saying this, but he needs to be managed at his age and the WRU will ensure that happens.
Here's to a few more years of Wales' greatest player still doing his stuff !
