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The Wales captain Ryan Jones has stood down as captain of the Magners League champions, the Ospreys, making way for his fellow Wales and British and Irish Lions international Alun Wyn Jones.

He said: “I’ve captained my country once and I had a 20-minute stint with the Lions, and it’s fair to say that I didn’t really expect those honours so early in my career.

“I always watched Swansea growing up, I always aspired to play for the club and then, when rugby went regional, to play for the Ospreys. To be appointed captain is one of the memorable moments in your career, it’s a fantastic honour. It’s the start of a new chapter in my rugby career I suppose, and in my personal development."

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Director of coaching, Scott Johnson, said that the decision to appoint Alun Wyn had been made after lengthy discussions with several parties, including the outgoing skipper, who is likely to hold on to his role as Wales captain for the fortcoming autumn international series.

“This appointment is about what’s best for everyone. Ryan has done a fantastic job as Ospreys captain over the last three years; his record with the region and Wales speaks for itself. However, holding both roles brings with it a tremendous workload that can take its toll on and off the field, particularly going into a long season that has a World Cup at the end of it," said Johnson. "We feel that it’s in Ryan’s best interests, and the Ospreys and Wales for that matter, if he can focus on the national captaincy going into this important season, with the responsibility of the regional role handed to someone else."

Ryan Jones said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as captain of the Ospreys, it’s meant a huge amount to me and my family over the last three years. It’s not a position that anyone relinquishes lightly, but we’ve had lengthy discussions about it over the summer and it’s the best move for the Ospreys and for Wales moving forward.

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France V England Hospitality

England manager Martin Johnson said Wednesday it "didn't get any tougher" than dropping former captain Steve Borthwick from his senior 32 man squad.

But England's 2003 World Cup captain insisted this was a sign of the "pressure" on his players and that "anyone who thinks they are comfortable in the England 32 won't be there for very long".

And as if to prove his point that no-one could take their place for granted, Johnson refused to confirm Lewis Moody as his captain through to next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

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Back-row forward Moody was handed the captaincy after Borthwick's knee injury meant the second row missed England's tour of Australia.

That trip saw Moody become only the second England captain, after Johnson in 2003, to lead England to a Test win over the Wallabies on Australian soil courtesy of a 21-20 victory in Sydney in June.

"There is big pressure on guys. Anyone who thinks they are comfortable in the England 32 won't be there for very long.

"Guys are wondering how they are going to get in. It is very competitive and the best squad we have ever had."

As for telling Borthwick he was no longer one of his top four second rows, former lock Johnson said: "It doesn't get any tougher.

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"We had the conversation and Steve instantly said: 'I'll prove you wrong'. That is exactly what you want. He hasn't whined about it, he hasn't moaned about it."

He insisted Borthwick could play himself into contention despite the fine performances in Australia from the likes of Courtney Lawes and Tom Palmer.

"If you are playing better than the number one guy then there is never a time when you haven't found yourself in the England team.

England, beaten finalists in France three years ago, begin the World Cup against Argentina in Christchurch on September 10 next year.

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They announced on Wednesday that their final warm-up matches would take place next August against Wales, home and away on August 6 and 13, followed by a clash with Ireland in Dublin on August 27.

But before then they face a gruelling programme of internationals in November, with New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and world champions South Africa all visiting Twickenham on successive weekends.

"We talk about the progression to the World Cup being lots of little steps but we took a big one with the win in Australia.

"There are small margins between winning and losing but to actually get on the right side of it and hold onto it and get the win is a pretty big step.

"There has never been a bad All Blacks side. The win was a big step but we have got to follow it up and improve next time we play."

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England manger Martin Johnson, wanting nothing to derail England after building up a useful head of steam in the summer, spent Wednesday successfully, it would appear, avoiding another wounding club v country row over his England players based in France.

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After much patient negotiation Johnson has persuaded Stade Francais, with whom England fell out with spectacularly at the end of the last Six Nations, to allow James Haskell and Tom Palmer to attend on the Monday night and Tuesday at Twickenham next week before heading back to Paris for their game against Bourgoin but has accepted Toulon’s decision to keep Wilkinson in the south of France for their Friday night match again Bayonne.

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“We believe that these have been the right decisions to take after close and amicable consultation with the clubs concerned,” said Johnson. “We will continue to have regular contact and subject to fitness look forward to seeing all of the players when we meet again at the end of October ahead of the Investec internationals.”

Stade and Touloun strongly dispute the latter and in March last year Stade owner Max Guazzini wildly accused England of “blackmail” when they refused to release Haskell for a match against Toulouse during a fallow week in the Six Nations although England were fully entitled to retain him in camp between matches. The situation is much less clear cut on this occasion and Johnson has opted for the concilatory appraoch.

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Wilkinson, in outstanding form in Toulon’s 39-19 win at the Felix Mayol Stadium, in any case faces a fitness race to be fit for Toulon’s opening game against Bayonne and the club want him in situ for intensive treatment.

"But we also believe it is clear from the contract he signed with Toulon that his first allegiance on Aug 13 is to Toulon. Our club rugby season has started and takes precedence. In addition now he has a blow on his shoulder and he will need daily treatment and assessment to play against Bayonne.”

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