SCOTT Johnson hailed Alun Wyn Jones as a future long-term captain of Wales after appointing him the Ospreys' new skipper.

The 24-year-old takes over the reins at the Liberty Stadium from Ryan Jones, who led the region for the previous three years.

Johnson said the decision to make a captaincy change was made with the likelihood that Ryan Jones will lead Wales into next year's World Cup.

And he felt the workload could become too heavy for a player who has led the Ospreys to an EDF Cup and a Magners League title during his spell in charge.

But he said lock Jones was the natural successor.

"We take our development responsibilities very seriously, particularly when it comes to our obligations to the national set-up," said the region's director of coaching.

"Part of that is an obligation to develop leaders. In Alun Wyn, we've identified a young man who is well respected by his peers, is intelligent and a natural leader, who we believe will go on to one day captain his country on a permanent basis.

"In order to enable him to do that, he needs to learn his trade at the region and we have put our faith in him for this season.

"He has experienced an awful lot in his career despite being just 24, and we believe that we can help him channel this experience into becoming an exceptional captain who will serve his country well in that role in the future."

Jones, who captained Wales in Italy in 2009, has made more than a century of appearances for the region since his debut in 2005.

He made his Wales debut against Argentina a year later.

"This appointment is about what's best for everyone," added Johnson.

"Ryan has done a fantastic job as Ospreys captain over the last three years and 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.

"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."

"The discussions about who should replace him were lengthy as we have an abundance of candidates to choose from.

"This decision wasn't about the need to pick someone who would be here all season. The issue was about workloads."