Ospreys coach Allen Clarke has revealed it was Alun Wyn Jones’ own call to stand down as the region’s captain.
Justin Tipuric will skipper the team this season after Wales lock Jones opted to give up the armband he has carried for eight years since taking over from Ryan Jones.
Jones – who will concentrate his leadership duties on captaining Wales into a World Cup season – has held the post since August 2010, making a record 115 appearances as captain, more than double the number of any other Ospreys captain.
Clarke – who is about to start his first full season as the Ospreys’ head coach – said: “Alun Wyn is a proud Osprey who has led the team with great honour from the front since 2010 both as a player and as an ambassador.
“In Justin we have another world-class player who leads by example on and off the field.
“It’s important to remember that Al is still a major player and significant leader within our environment, but having discussed the position with him it was clear he believed the time was right for the Ospreys to have a fresh voice as a captain. An Osprey through and through, Justin is the right man for the job.
“A deep student of the game Tips has a wonderful understanding of rugby, with a steely determination and skill set to match. He epitomises the past and what we aspire to be again. I’ve no doubt he will receive the full backing of players, staff and supporters alike.”
Since making his Ospreys debut in November 2009 as a second half replacement in a Liberty Stadium Anglo-Welsh tie against Northampton Saints, Tipuric has gone on to make 155 regional appearances, his tally of 25 tries the highest by an Ospreys forward.
Capped 57 times by Wales and a double Six Nations champion, including two appearances in the 2012 Grand Slam success, the openside from Trebanos has also been on the last two British & Irish Lions tours, making one Test appearance.
Tipuric has a wealth of leadership experience, having already led the side 27 times across the last seven years, since he became the second youngest ever Ospreys captain in January 2011, aged 21, when the Ospreys faced Leinster in Dublin in the Magners League.
Ospreys Captains
Alun Wyn Jones – 115 games
Barry Williams – 51
Ryan Jones – 47
Duncan Jones – 33
Paul James – 31
Justin Tipuric – 27
Filo Tiatia – 16
Jerry Collins – 14
Tom Habberfield – 14
Rhys Webb – 12
Scott Gibbs – 12
Jonathan Spratt – 12