ALUN Wyn Jones will take over the regional reins believing his own hunger for success matches that of an Ospreys side hunting down more silverware this season.

Jones succeeds Wales skipper Ryan Jones at the Liberty Stadium helm as the Magners League champions look to ease the workload on their No. 8 with the World Cup in New Zealand looming large on the horizon.

The 24-year-old Swansea-born second row is the obvious successor to his Wales and Lions colleague.

Ambitious, focused, articulate and with a huge work rate on the field, the law graduate has long been seen as a natural leader, both at regional and international level.

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That was highlighted by the decision of national coach Warren Gatland to hand Jones the Wales captaincy on a one-off basis for the Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome in 2009.

Ian McGeechan also had no hesitation in plumping for Jones for a brief stint during the Lions tour of South Africa last year.

As for the Ospreys, in heralding the change in leadership they have made it pretty clear that they feel the former Bishop Gore and Llandovery College pupil is a Wales captain in waiting.

"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, and that's the case here as well if I'm totally honest," said Jones, who graduated in law from Swansea University last month.

"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.

Fantastic

"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.

"It's probably my biggest challenge to date — there's a lot in my career that I want to achieve.

"I know I'm not the complete player but I play with a real will to win. I want to win more than anyone else.

"That's a kind of trait that some people develop and I believe I've got that.

"Every time I go out I'll give my all for the jersey. The cliché term would be that I lead by example, but I'd say that I want to win more than anyone else and hopefully that rubs off on my team-mates."

Jones has already made over a century of appearances for the Ospreys and won 40 caps for his country.

But he insists he is still learning the game and will continue to do so.

"I come to work every day to learn and to improve, and I'm well aware that I don't have all the answers," he added.

"I will turn up for work every day with the same attitude, regardless of being captain, and if I'm not learning there's no point in me being here.

"I'm not afraid to ask for any help or to draw upon the vast experience around me in the squad.

"You look at Ryan. He has been my captain with region and country for a prolonged period and has done a fantastic job with Wales and the Ospreys.

"They are big shoes to step into and it will be a tough ask following on from the man who has won the EDF Cup and the Magners League in his three years as captain, as well as a Grand Slam with the national squad.

"He's achieved a lot and I know that he will give me the support that I'll need.

"There are other experienced players that will assist. Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Duncan Jones and Paul James are all players that have captained the Ospreys as well.

"They are guys with a wealth of experience that I definitely won't be afraid to draw upon.

"You have to learn your trade somewhere, and I'm grateful and honoured that the Ospreys have seen fit to give me the captaincy.

"The development mantra is central to everything here and this is another part of that, another step in my development."