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Wales skipper Jones wants leaders not followers

London - Wales' new captain Alun Wyn Jones insisted Wednesday that "followers are for Twitter" as he urged all members of his side to become leaders during the Six Nations.

Jones has been elevated to the captaincy after interim coach Rob Howley decided former skipper Sam Warburton should stand down in a bid to rediscover his best form.

Ospreys lock Jones, a 31-year-old veteran of 105 Tests, has led Wales on five previous occasions and also captained the 2013 British and Irish Lions in their series-clinching third Test win against Australia in place of injured tour skipper Warburton.

"In a way the captaincy is just a label, but I'm ready and able to make decisions as captain when needed," said Jones at the Six Nations tournament launch in London .

"But if we can grow more leaders in the team that we have, if we can get to the point where we're making similar decisions without having to consult with each other, that's a case of job-done, let's move onto the next challenge as a group and a team.

"I don't want followers: followers are for Twitter," he added.

Meanwhile Wales confirmed they had failed in a bid to persuade Six Nations chiefs that the roof of their Principality Stadium be guaranteed to remain closed for their home fixtures against England and Ireland.

As is currently the case, Wales will need the agreement of their opponents before the roof can be closed.

"That decision is not going to change, that's something we wanted to have," said Howley, in charge of Wales while Warren Gatland is seconded to the British and Irish Lions for the combined side's tour of New Zealand later this year.

"We found out the result last night. So we'll have a discussion in the week of the game, as has happened in the past."

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