Lion king Cotton: Alun Wyn Jones for 2021 captaincy
1974: Fran Cotton (left) of the British Lions hands off his opponent during the British Lions, tour match against South Africa. In South Africa. Mandatory Credit: Allsport
ONE of England's most famous Lions is in no doubt who should be made captain for the series in South Africa – Alun Wyn Jones.
Fran Cotton, the only Lion to beat the Springboks as a player and again as manager, said yesterday: “If he is fit in mind and body, then he is on the plane as captain.
“There's a lot of talk about (Maro) Itoje. He is a terrific player but he doesn't have the experience of Jones. His proven track record of captaincy and the fact he has the respect of everyone tips the scales.
“Owen Farrell is going to have to fight for his position, if he is picked. I don't see him as a candidate for the captaincy.”
At 35, Jones would supersede Willie John McBride as the oldest post-war Lions' captain. The Ulsterman was 34 on the invincible Lions tour of South Africa in 1974.
“I can understand people being concerned about Jones' age,'' said Cotton, one of the pillars of that unbeatable 24-match crusade. “But he has demonstrated throughout the Six Nations he is still capable of playing at the very highest level. And Warren (Gatland) knows him well.''
Cotton added: “Lions selection shouldn't just be about the Six Nations. You've got to think outside the box and look at people like Sam Simmonds. He has been playing outstanding rugby for Exeter. I'd also have been thinking about Zach Mercer at Bath.
“It's going to be a very open selection and a very competitive squad. There are not many players who you would say are definitely in the Test team. Who's going to be the scrum-half? And you can pose the same question about the fly-half.
“Thank God they are touring in South Africa and not here. All that talk about playing the tour in the four home countries was ridiculous. We'd have lost so much had that gone ahead. The Lions is a touring team.
“One last thought about the captaincy. Both winning Lions teams in South Africa were captained by second row forwards – Willie John in 1974, Martin Johnson in '97.
“In that context, Alun Wyn Jones is in the perfect position. Maybe that's another omen.''
Asked who he thinks will be captain, Johnson, the first to lead the Lions on successive tours, said: “I'm going to sit on the fench. Alun Wyn Jones will still be Alun Wyn Jones whether he's captain or not. Ultimately it's a group effort. It's about winning the series.''
