Alun Wyn Jones' position in Wales camp defended after Six Nations finale amid fresh backing for World Cup spot

Alun Wyn Jones has been backed by his old coach Sean Holley to prove the doubters wrong by remaining an important figure in Wales’ plans heading for the World Cup next year.

Jones attracted adverse reviews for the first time in his career after the Six Nations encounter with Italy a week last Saturday. With Wales suffering a shock defeat, the 36-year-old found himself under scrutiny on his return to the side after five months out.

But Holley, who coached Jones when the player broke into the Ospreys set-up as a teenager in 2005, insists it is premature to pen Test rugby obituary of his former charge, saying: "I’m not sure we should be judging a player on his first game back after five months out.

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"Let’s judge him on the 500 or so matches he’d played before or when he has a chance to bank more game-time after the injury he picked up last autumn. He’s still in great physical condition and he’s still invaluable off the field. His presence is huge, along with his leadership and his experience.

"Of course, he has to be managed at his age. The Italy clash was difficult with the lack of game-time beforehand, the occasion, the poor team performance, but you can’t pin the side's display on one player. For me, Wales missed the experience of not just Alun Wyn but of other players as well in the Six Nations."

The assignment in the final Six Nations round was always going to be tough for Jones, with the lock replacing Will Rowlands, arguably Wales’ player of the tournament. It would have taken an exceptional effort to satisfy those who had originally questioned the selection.

Jones was far from the worst against the Azzurri, and if Wales