Once the initial shock of hearing that first Justin Tipuric and then Alun Wyn Jones had both decided to retire from international rugby had subsided, I asked the same question as every other Welsh rugby fan. Why?
Having accepted the invitation to join the 54-strong World Cup training squad named by Warren Gatland, it looked as though both players were on course for another tournament. And now this!
For me, the biggest thing is both players have made their own decisions. The full reasons behind them might not be forthcoming, but when your time is up, you know. Have they gone too soon? No! They’ve looked at what’s ahead, what they have to go through and what they’ve got left to give.
Two tortuous training camps in May and June will be followed by three summer warm-up games. Then it’s off to the World Cup in France. Trust me when I tell you, it is mentally and physically demanding and draining. That must have come into their thinking, although it’s not as though they weren’t both more than capable of coping with it all.
It was interesting to read in Alun Wyn’s announcement that he made his decision after on-going conversations with the Welsh management team.
Did Warren Gatland say there were no guarantees about him making the final cut for France? That jeopardy is always there, and the best coaches always let you know that fact. It is a question of honesty, integrity and motivation.
This story is from the May 21, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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This story is from the May 21, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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