Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones to take no part in 2022 Six Nations due to shoulder injury

Wayne Pivac is staring at the greatest challenge of his career as Wales boss – replacing Alun Wyn Jones who he confirmed would miss next year’s Six Nations.

While the head coach backs his captain to make the French World Cup in 2023, aged 38, he is aware the process of finding Jones’ successor starts this Saturday against South Africa.

Last Saturday Pivac played down fears Jones was to be out for a long period after he was injured in the All Blacks game, so had to back-pedal and admit the great lock’s fate. 

‘I don’t think he’ll be available for the Six Nations,’ he said before talking up Jones’ chances making a fifth World Cup.

‘He’ll be back before the end of the season. The intention is always to see if Al can get to the World Cup. I think it’s a realistic goal, personally.

‘You’ve just got to see him in training and when he’s playing, the effort he puts in. I don’t see anything going anywhere near backwards in terms of his performances.

‘A bit of time off, we spoke about this before Al left camp. It’s not ideal for him. We’re all looking forward to him playing 150 Test matches for Wales but that is still a goal and I’m sure he’ll get there.’ 

Jones’ immediate replacement is Dragons second-row Will Rowlands, the 6ft 6in 30-year-old who joins Lion Adam Beard in the pack. Jonathan Davies is the new skipper.

Pivac also revealed 34-year-old Ken Owens may only be fit for the final autumn Test against Australia, so suddenly he has to unearth new talent, and fast.

‘It’s not as if we have dozens of second-rows with genuine international height,’ he said.

‘So we’ve got to work hard with what we’ve got and use our strengths.

‘We’ve lost two overseas (Cory Hill and Jake Ball) and Alun Wyn is injured.

‘Will Rowlands is one we targeted because we knew we didn’t have a lot of genuinely big men. Adam Beard is going from strength to strength – so you can see a bit of the future there.

‘Seb Davies needs to step up, Ben Carter has been thrust into it. It’s a matter of getting that next group of players through.

Equally at hooker Pivac is now delving deep into his player pool – down to fifth-choice Bradley Roberts, the South African-born Ulster player, who makes the bench.

‘We’re having a good look and hopefully building those stocks as the World Cup is not too far away.’

These injuries, with Taulupe Faletau and Ross Moriarty new blows, mean Pivac’s priority this autumn has changed from winning to developing talent for 2023.

‘It’s a results driven game, but you’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt sometimes,’ he added.

‘At the moment this is about development opportunities for some players, and other more experienced players holding onto their positions and push on to a World Cup.’ 

Dan Biggar is in the latter camp, back in the No 10 shirt, with Gareth Anscombe dropping to the bench.

In-form Saracens centre Nick Tompkins comes in for Johnny Williams at centre and Louis Rees-Zammit returns to the wing.

Hearteningly Ellis Jenkins starts. Forecast by Sportsmail on Thursday the flanker joins Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright in a dynamic back-row, after three years out of the Wales team since he badly injured multiple knee ligaments against South Africa in 2018.

Pivac saluted his comeback saying: ‘I’ve had a similar injury myself and know what it’s like, it’s not pleasant and a long, hard slog. It’s going to be a very special day.

‘He’s got two years of watching and frustration and will be excited to get out there. He’s motivated and will want to hold his place in the team, and push on to bigger and better things.’