Eddie Jones has revealed Alun Wyn Jones 'certainly wasn't my favourite player' as he named the former Wales captain his Barbarians captain.
World rugby's most-capped player announced his retirement from international rugby last week, bringing to an end a remarkable Test career that had seen him play 158 games for Wales and a further 12 times for the Lions.
He'll write another chapter in his illustrious career this weekend, captaining the star-studded Barbarians side against a World XV at Twickenham.
Namesakes Eddie and Alun Wyn have taken on a new dynamic as coach and captain, having often been at loggerheads when Eddie Jones was England coach.
The former Wales second-row once referred to the Australian as 'Uncle Eddie' after some jibes over Welsh fly-half Rhys Patchell.
Jones, who now coaches Australia and will take on Wales at the World Cup later this year in Pool C, admitted he didn't know the reasons behind the surprise international retirement, while he added that he likely wouldn't ask for the reasons.
But he did pay tribute to how good the Ospreys man had been in camp, particularly with 21-year-old uncapped Japanese back-row Kai Yamamoto.
"Well, I don’t know the back story," said the Barbarians coach. "I was thinking of making up a little story but I don’t want any headlines this week, so I won’t! I had a good one ready to go…
"He’s been fantastic. England and Wales are traditional, hard rivals and he certainly wasn’t my favourite player, but he’s come in and he’s really good with the boys.
"We just had a drink upstairs and he’s there talking to the non-English-speaking, uncapped Japanese seven. He’s a good rugby man and an iconic player."
The former England coach added: "The Barbarians is an important institution. It's a chance or the traditional values of the game to come through.
"I don't know how many caps Alun Wyn Jones has got, 150? We've got Kai Yamamoto who doesn't have a cap and can't speak English.
"To come together as a team and enjoy each other's company off the field and then play some good rugby on the field is really important. These games are important for the spirit of the game because the only thing that separates us from the other sports is our traditional spirit."
Jones revealed that the former Wales captain was one of the first players the Baa-Baas signed up to play, referring to him as the the sort of player you hate to face, but someone you love to have on your side.
He added he had no idea that Jones was planning on calling time on his international career.
Perhaps in a reference to his own time with England coming to a sudden end last year, he reflected on the nature of rarely going out on your own terms, saying: "It very rarely ends well, does it? As we know…"
He also wouldn't be drawn on if the double retirements of the lock and Justin Tipuric would boost the Wallabies' prospects at the World Cup.
"I really don’t have too much to say," he answered. "It’s done and dusted. They're both very good players."
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