Alun Wyn Jones: Lionheart

Alex Payne (0:00)

Today's guest holds the record as the most capped men's rugby player in history. It's a very warm welcome to Alun Wyn Jones.

Alun Wyn Jones (0:07)

I think the whole accessibility piece is the best, the most dangerous thing for the Lions. Share as much as you can, but you've got to keep a bit for the badge.

Alex Payne (0:14)

Did you make friendships on Lions tours? The James Horwill incident. Did he stamp on your head?

Alun Wyn Jones (0:22)

I must have deserved it.

James Haskell (0:23)

Took your barnacle off with it, didn't you?

Alun Wyn Jones (0:25)

No, no.

Alex Payne (0:25)

What does the Lions mean to you?

Alun Wyn Jones (0:27)

It transcends life in a way because, you know, my kids are going to be known as the kids of Alun Wyn Jones who played rugby. So it's something I'm hugely proud of.

SPEAKER_4 (0:35)

Into the final moments, Alex Payne trying to keep this side going forward. Haskell takes it on now. It's just relentless chat, largely by himself. And there's Tindall to add the finishing touch of glamour and World Cup winning stories. That is how you podcast.

Alex Payne (0:50)

Off we go again, once again, because we have a man in studio with a staggering 158 international caps, 148 for Wales, 12 for the British and Irish Lions. Today's guest holds the record as the most capped men's rugby player in history. He played 12 consecutive Lions tests, a feat unmatched in the professional era. He hoisted the Tom Richards Trophy in that epic third test win over Australia in 2013, sharing the moment with the injured Sam Warburton. And in 2021, he led the Lions as captain on their most recent tour. The man is quite simply rugby royalty.

James Haskell (1:24)

On this week's show, Alan Wells relives all four Lions tours, the highs, the lows, plus we look ahead to the 2025 series. If you're not already subscribed, what are you doing? Hit the button, turn on the notification bell, get us in every time, give us a like and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Alex Payne (1:39)

It's a very warm welcome to Alan Wynne-Jones. First things first, how are you?

Alun Wyn Jones (1:44)

Very good.

Alex Payne (1:45)

You're looking good, bro. You look well.

Alun Wyn Jones (1:47)

Do you know what, everyone says that to me and I'm like, they really don't want me to look as good as they do at the minute.

James Haskell (1:51)

No, it's because you're a big unit.

Alun Wyn Jones (1:53)

Not that I think I'm looking good, but...

James Haskell (1:54)

Yeah, that's the Welsh, you're coming out humble.

You're in London now. You can rate yourself. It's all about rating yourself, bro. Just let everyone know, I look fucking amazing. I am just, not about me, but it's always about him. I just want to make him comfortable.

Alun Wyn Jones (2:07)

That's your subconscious, Cameron.

James Haskell (2:08)

Yeah, it is. That's my idea.

Alun Wyn Jones (2:10)

I'm good. I keep it active. Kids keep busy. I took a hard, probably four or five months away from everything and all those sort of things.

Alex Payne (2:18)

What did you do? Did you disappear into the Welsh Hill?

Alun Wyn Jones (2:21)

No, no. Well, I ran out of paint inside my cage to keep going. But no, I just wanted to have that release, I suppose. I'm still a little bit distant for one reason or another, but I think slowly getting back to it and learning to live. Like most people who finish the game, it's very different outside the white lines.

Alex Payne (2:42)

Have you found that easy? Hardly thought?

Alun Wyn Jones (2:45)

Oh, I think depending on who I speak to, depends on who asks the questions, I usually give different answers. I think people understand it will be in it. It's not as easy as I thought.

James Haskell (2:54)

But it's not as easy for you because you've been living in Wales as well.

Alun Wyn Jones (2:56)

No, not just that. I think people are very gracious, people ask how things are going, but I think you're a long time inside the white lines. And I say it as it was a quick 20 years and it was a longer first 12 months than those 20 years.

But yeah, through most of that now and just getting on with it.

Alex Payne (3:16)

We always like people to bring in a few bits to help dress the set. You've brought in a poster from your first cap, which is 11th of June 2006