The Australian cricket and TV legend Richie Benaud once said: “Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don’t try it without that 10 per cent.”

On Saturday, we saw Alun Wyn Jones demonstrating the second part of that equation to the maximum.

It wasn’t obvious at first watch.

So much is going on in the heat of a Test match it is easy to miss someone using soft skills to gently tilt a game his side’s way.

But that is what Jones did against England.

He wasn’t just a leader, urging his side forward by sheer force of example, a “follow me over the top, lads” type of figure.

He was, above all, a captain.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

When he needed to, he dealt with the referee brilliantly. The law graduate made his points politely. He persuaded and he coaxed, seemingly remembering the old legal adage about the quiet voice being the most persuasive one.

At times Jaco Peyper must have felt he was dealing with a Foreign Office diplomat rather than a gnarled second row caught up in a Wales-England battle of the ages. At one point the South African was even laughing at one of Jones’ comments.

(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

It was Jones who was key to the premature removal of Kyle Sinckler from proceedings in the 57th minute.

The England tight-head had been outstanding in the opening half, rattling up a prodigious tackle count as he put himself about. He is developing into the player he has long threatened to be, with a huge work-rate, skill and a relish for the physical side of the game.

But he is also a man who is attracted to on-pitch trouble as a moth is drawn to the nearest candle.

At Wales’ team announcement last week, Warren Gatland had called him a “timebomb”, in the process reminding the world, and in particular referee Peyper, that the Harlequin has a side to his on-pitch personality that he struggles to control.

Whatever, England had started the second half marginally on top in Cardiff, building on their 10-3 interval lead.

But forces were at play that would undermine their effort.

Three incidents followed each other rapidly to see Sinckler withdrawn from the action.

Let's take a detailed look...

48 MINUTES: THE LIAM WILLIAMS V MANU TUILAGI DUST-UP

(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

A spat blows up between Liam Williams and Manu Tuilagi.

There is a set-to, with Williams walking towards Tuilagi and scuffling and the Englishman grabbing his rival by the throat.

Sinckler decides to offer his services as an arbitrator, walking over and grabbing Williams from behind by his shirt.

Jones ushers him away, but the prop loses it, appearing to tell Wales’ captain: “Come on, come on.”

There is also an English finger pointed which seems to threaten: ‘Any more of this and there could be consequences’. The timebomb is ticking.

Jones laughs.

Seconds earlier he had used his own diplomatic powers to defuse a row between Courtney Lawes and Gareth Davies and Rob Evans. He was shoved in the chest by Ben Moon for his troubles.

Looking indignant, he had then got in the referee’s ear as if to say: “What’s going on? What are these people up to?”

55 MINUTES: SINCKLER BLOCK ON GARETH ANSCOMBE

(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Sinckler appears to block Gareth Anscombe.

The crowd goes ballistic and Justin Tipuric has to hold back Rob Evans and Ross Moriarty as the pair try to discuss the hit with him.

Alun Wyn Jones has a quiet word with Sinckler. He then approaches Peyper, declining Evans’s offer to join the conversation. In fact, he tells Evans, in no uncertain terms, to go away.

The TV replay shows Sinckler leaning into Anscombe. Amid a cacophony of boos, Peyper asks the TMO if it is more than a penalty. The answer comes back that it isn’t.

(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

56 MINUTES: THE CHOKE HOLD

Sinckler puts Jones in a chokehold at a maul.

The Wales captain is struggling but manages to spot Peyper and point out that, er, right now he’s being choked. That’s it. If it were a game of Cluedo it would be all over. Sinckler in the maul with a chokehold. Peyper has had enough.

The official tells England skipper Owen Farrell: “He has him around the neck. It’s nothing more but it’s the same player. So this player has to take a warning now.”

A penalty is awarded to Wales.

Sinckler’s discipline has gone. A yellow card is beckoning. It’s time to go off.

57 MINUTES: SINCKLER IS SUBBED

(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Sinckler is replaced before he’s carded. He leaves the field to boos.

The youngster had wound up Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony and France’s Arthur Iturria previously in this Six Nations.

But Jones is a different beast.

Sinckler gave away three penalties during the game, the same number as the entire Wales side.

There is a nice touch at the end when he and Jones come across each other as the players line up to shake hands. The pair exchange words and both smile. Evidently all is fair in love and war.

Jones walks across and roars to the crowd.

THE ART OF CAPTAINCY

(Image: PA)

He had been an immense influence all game, not just for his play but the way he controlled his side and ensured their aggression simmered instead of boiled over.

Errors and more disciplinary lapses crept into England’s game after Sinckler departed, their equilibrium upset. Dan Biggar’s arrival on the scene worsened their situation.

Jones? He had even found time at the outset of proceedings to shake the mascot’s hand after the anthems. All else was nervous energy, but amid the gladiatorial fist pumping all around him, the Wales No. 5 took time out to chat to the lad and further make his day.

Minutes after he was climbing over Sinckler as the prop ducked to avoid an Owen Farrell clearance kick.

Sinckler motioned to take a swipe at him.

Each were on roads that would head different ways.

It was one of Jones’ finest days in charge of Wales.

He led with intelligence, attitude and sense.

What a captain. What a leader.