South Africa 'licking their lips' ahead of worrying Wales tour amid calls for perspective and Pivac to be cut some slack

It’s one of the biggest questions facing Wales head coach Wayne Pivac this summer.

Well, some would see it in those terms.

Should Alun Wyn Jones start in the Test series against South Africa?

Opinion will be split. Some will point to Jones’ age — he is 36 — and point out that things didn’t go especially well the last time he played a game of international rugby. In fact, let's not put too fine a point on it: things went calamitously for Wales, with Italy winning in Cardiff for the first time.

Wales legend's son breaks into the Ospreys U16 squad at the age of just 14

Also, the man Jones replaced in that game, Will Rowlands, had a fine championship; indeed, plenty felt him to be Wales’ best player, though it’s an understatement to suggest the bar was set low. Adam Beard, the other lock in the mix, has become a Pivac favourite and acted as Wales’ pack leader during the Six Nations.

But there will be another group who’ll stand four-square behind Jones, pointing out that there were 22 other players in Wales’ squad against the Azzurri and the former captain has qualities that no coach in his right mind should think of doing without heading into a Test against South Africa.

Where does Jones’ old coach at the Ospreys, Sean Holley, stand on the issue?

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Alun Wyn plays in the first Test,” he says.

“Wales are going to need experience in South Africa and no player has more experience of international rugby than Al.”

Doubtless, Pivac will factor in training performances, as well, and few train as hard as Jones.

The head coach will know the Ospreys man can’t go on for ever, but there were signs in the United Rugby Championship games towards the end of the season there is still petrol in the tank. Against