Alun Wyn Jones swaps rugby heroics for movie stardom in the next exciting instalment of a campaign inspired by the iconic Welsh national team jersey, released this afternoon.

Jones, who also starred in the first film ‘Our History’, which featured rugby royalty both past and present and premiered last month, book ends the next episode of the Welsh Rugby Union series which focusses on current players.

As the screen fades from black and pans out from Welsh rugby’s famous ‘fifteen’ shirt worn by the impressively broadly shoulders of Leigh Halfpenny, Jones can be heard to say “It isn’t just a jersey.”

Next, Jonathan Davies, talking over footage of a spectacular ‘hand-off’ which poleaxed New Zealand centre Seta Tamanivalu on tour in 2016 explains, “It’s everything we’ve trained for”.

An impassioned cameo from Ken Owens, who can be seen singing the Welsh national anthem during a team line-up with the gusto of a one-man male voice choir, sets up Jones’ sign off line with “Every minute of every game…”

“It’s the beating heart of our nation,” Jones concludes as he clenches his fists against the famous three-feathers badge adorning his shorts.

All that is left is for Rhys Patchell to sum-up proceedings with “This, is Welsh rugby” before we are reminded of Wales’ upcoming fixtures against Scotland, Australia, Tonga the All Blacks-conquering South Africa and at Principality Stadium in the autumn.

The film is part of a series which will be shared at regular intervals in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and is set to feature members of the Women’s national side, supporters from across the community game in Wales and a final episode which will nod to the stars of the future.

The debut film featured Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and Martyn Williams and former dual code international Jonathan Davies alongside current internationals Jones and Halfpenny and Dragons pivot Gavin Henson – to bridge the gap between past and present players.

That film depicts how individuals pass through the jersey but leave an indelible mark on its history using historic footage, such as Henson’s talismanic tackle on England’s Matthew Tait in 2005 – a game which also featured many moments of Martyn Williams magic – and Edwards scoring in the mud in 1972 against Scotland.

New footage has been shot by Welsh company Black Lab Films based in Cardiff Bay and ‘Our History’ and ‘The players’ will be followed, during the season ahead, by three further promotional excerpts under the working titles: ‘Supporters & Community’, ‘Women’s rugby’ and ‘To the future…’

A final sixth film will be published ahead of the 2019 RWC and contain a selection of the best contributions gathered during the 18 month build-up, with members of the public in all walks of life consulted alongside the range of past and present players and others who contribute to both the elite and community game in Wales.

The full cast list for the films – although this is set to evolve – to date is: Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Jonathan Davies (past). Martyn Williams, Gavin Henson, Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies (present), Ken Owens, Rhys Patchell, Cory Hill, Ellis Jenkins, Rob Evans, Alun Wyn, Hannah Jones and Jazz Joyce.

“We are celebrating Welsh rugby in the build up to RWC and beyond,” said a WRU spokesperson.

“We want to strengthen current engagement with Welsh rugby and engage new audiences within the UK and abroad and the campaign does this by celebrating our history and what makes Welsh Rugby great.

“Providing relevant and easily sharable digital content which emotionally connects with our core supporters, as well as winning over the hearts and minds of old and new audiences.

“It also provides a consistent visual identity and story that will strengthen and amplify the Welsh rugby brand across the world.”

Support Wales in the Under Armour Series this autumn at Principality Stadium and play your part in the story of our iconic jersey.  Tickets available now from £45 and £15 U16s – Scotland, Aus and SA – and starting at £10 Tonga at www.wru.wales/tickets, the next chapter is waiting to be written, will you be there?

Under Armour Series 2019
Wales v Scotland, Sat 3rd November (KO: 2.45pm), *£75, £65, £45, U16s £15, **AFZ £45
Wales v Australia, Sat 10th November (KO: 5.20pm), £75, £65, £45, U16s £15, AFZ £45
Wales v Tonga, Sat 17th November (KO: 2.30pm), £35, £25, £20, £15, £10, U16s £10, AFZ £20
Wales v South Africa, Sat 24th November (KO: 5.20pm), £75, £65, £45, U16s £15, AFZ £45
*only remaining ticket prices are included
**AFZ= Alcohol Free Zone
 
Film script
‘THE PLAYERS’
JONES: It isn’t just a jersey
DAVIES: It’s everything we’ve trained for
HALFPENNY: Fought for and dreamt of.
OWENS: Every minute of every game…
JONES: it’s the beating hear of our nation.
PATCHELL, This, is Welsh rugby.