There is no point whatsoever in bringing Alun Wyn Jones back for Italy - Wales have far more to gain without him

Few things border on sacrilege or treason in Wales quite like questioning Alun Wyn Jones.

However, from the moment Wayne Pivac revealed late on Friday night that Test rugby's most capped player would be called up to Wales' Six Nations squad for their dead rubber against Italy, it's been a little hard not to be perplexed.

Because however you look at it, the question that comes to mind is what is the point?

What's the point in bringing back Jones for one match against a Italy?

That's not to diminish what Jones has achieved, recovering from shoulder surgery when the tournament had previously looked a write-off.

But genuinely, what is there to be gained?

Adam Beard and Will Rowlands have gone well in the second-row throughout the tournament.

Beard has grown into a leadership role as vice-captain, while Rowlands' physicality and running of the lineout defence has truly seen him come on leaps and bounds as a Test player.

There's no doubt that neither of them feel they're filling Jones' boots as a stop-gap, so why the need to thrust the 36-year-old back in immediately?

Especially as, if Pivac did want to make changes - as the second-row has been one of the few constants in selection in this tournament - then there's surely more to be learned from shifting Seb Davies back to lock?

Or if he keeps his place in the back-row, which could make sense given the chances he might get to use his hands in wider channels against Italy, what about the lesser-spotted Ben Carter?

Having started three games at the beginning of his Test career last summer, the Dragons lock has had cameo performances against South Africa, Australia and, after Davies pulled out in Dublin at the last minute, Ireland.

But if he's to play a part at the World Cup next