DAN BIGGAR: Our motivation is now to win the series for Alun Wyn Jones

It was an emotional evening back at the team hotel on Saturday night. Normally you would be happy to get off to a winning start, but the news about Alun Wyn Jones massively overshadowed the result.

Al travelled back to base with us and presented the caps to all the Lions debutants. He made a lovely speech about how he will be supporting us from back home in Wales. It was a pretty sombre mood. He told us how hard he had worked to be a part of this squad and that reinforced how fortunate we are to be here.

None of us really knew the severity of his injury until Warren Gatland’s comments started to trickle back from his Press conference. I didn’t see Al straight after the match so I only heard when our media manager gave me a heads- up before I spoke to the press.

You could tell from Big Al’s body language that he’s distraught after dreaming of this moment

It’s an awkward situation at the time. Al is a great friend of mine but there’s not much you can say to make someone feel better. He doesn’t always give much away but you could tell from his body language that he was distraught. This tour has been a big goal of his and to have it taken away so soon will hurt him more than anything.

We will have a glass of wine together before he heads back to Wales and make sure he gets a good send off. Injuries happen on a tour like this. As harsh as it sounds, we’ve just got to get on with things.

Al wouldn’t want us to dwell on his absence. It’s not an easy job to bring together big characters from different nations but that’s what he has done over the last two weeks. He’s done it exceptionally well so one of our big motivators will be to win the series for him.

Losing a figurehead with Al’s aura is obviously a big blow for us. It’s a low start to the tour but we’ve got a lot of guys who will step up.

Yesterday, Neil Jenkins brought on the message that Ken Owens would take over as captain in the game. I’m sure a few boys will be having a beer with Gats and telling him they should be captain!

I know Jones wouldn’t want us to dwell on this set-back and we’ll give him a good send-off

There was a funny moment during the week in Jersey when we had a few beers into the early hours and Bundee Aki got snapped with his arm around Gats by one of the Irish lads.

The photo was flying around the players’ WhatsApp group the next day with captions like “Pick me please! Pick me please!” Classic sucking-up-to-the-coach banter.

On a personal note, it was pleasing to start the tour well. Being named man of the match is always a nice accolade.

It takes a little bit of pressure off your shoulders.

Between myself and Conor Murray, there was a big focus on doing the basics right and not letting the game get too loose. A lot of the emphasis is on forging new partnerships.

We had lots of small chats around the team room, hotel, the gym —anywhere really.

Losing a figurehead like Jones is massive but we have the players who can step up in his place

Our jersey presentation on Friday night was a really special moment because the management set it up so our families could watch over Zoom. Jason Leonard presented the shirts and reminded us what a privilege it all is.

We’re all ready to fly out this evening and we’re fortunate to travel on a charter flight. It means we all get to sit in the posh seats!

The guys who have been on the most tours get the first-class seats — Neil Jenkins, Gats, Prav Mathema (head of medical) and the three-tour guys. I’m somewhere on the reserve list so I’ll be slumming it in business class.

All the squad would like to send our best wishes to Miles Harrison. It was sad news to hear that he won’t be doing the Sky Sports commentary this summer because of illness. His voice is inked in with the Lions and it won’t be the same without him. Good luck Miles and get well soon. We’re all thinking of you and we’ll catch up when we’re back.

I’m sure a few of the lads will be telling Warren Gatland they should be captain now