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Jones: Send-off for Paris shows how much this means

Alun Wyn Jones boards Wales' team flight for Paris

Jones: Send-off for Paris shows how much this means

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Alun Wyn Jones’ huge experience plays a vital role in the Wales side and the captain said he saw how much the Six Nations means to the country when he left for Paris on Friday.

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Wayne Pivac’s team will face France on Saturday evening just one game away from what would be a second Grand Slam in three years.

It means both outfits are set for a huge game at the Stade de France because Les Bleus are still in with a shout of winning the title too.

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Wales captain Jones, 35, is already world rugby’s most capped player.

But he will equal Richie McCaw’s caps record of 148 for a single country in the French capital.

He will also become the first Welshman to win four Grand Slams if his team can do enough to seal victory against a very talented and dangerous French side.

“It’s very different to ones we’ve experienced in the past for obvious reasons, but inside the camp there are a few of us that are fortunate enough to have been involved in this before,” said Jones.

“There is an overriding sense of anticipation and excitement for what is a relatively large fixture tomorrow.

“Experience is always valued, particularly when it’s used. There is an element of us needing to use that in the game.

“We’re not going to shy away from it – we know the experience we have and the experiences we’ve had in the past.

“But this is a new task and a similar week but with a different feel to it with no crowds.”

Alun Wyn Jones urges on his Wales team-mates in training

Experience is always valued, particularly when it’s used. There is an element of us needing to use that in the game

Asked about how much it would mean for the country of Wales for the team to potentially win the Six Nations and a Grand Slam, Jones added: “We’ve said it from the start of the international season back in the autumn. We haven’t needed to emphasise that. I haven’t needed to do that within the group.

“The privilege and sense of pride we have in representing Wales has been accentuated by the off-field situation that’s going on.

“As an individual both I and the team have not needed reminding of what everyone is facing and what we are representing.

“The people you do come in contact with are probably more animated and excited than they would be anyway. It’s definitely felt.

“At the Vale there is an army of guys relaying the track – you could see the excitement in their faces as they waved us off. It’s definitely not lost on us.”

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