Jones backs Wales to turn fortunes around

Jones won 95 caps for Wales and played in five Tests for the British & Irish Lions and since hanging up his boots has become a highly rated coach at English Premiership club Harlequins. He won two of his record equalling Grand Slams playing under Gatland.

This week he has taken his first step into coaching at international level – and he’s loving it.

“It’s good to be back and I guess what I bring is a different voice. I’ve been to Paris and done OK and I’ve been there and had my backside handed to me – it’s a tough place to go,” said Jones.

“We have to go there with a plan. We want to take them on, and we don’t want to give them anything – no easy outs.

“That’s massive in France, especially around the atmosphere and with how much they feed off the crowd.

“They feed off that energy and it’s key we don’t give them that.”

Jones played in 43 Six Nations matches, won three Grand Slams (2005, 08, 12), three Triple Crowns and a fourth Championship title (2013). He enjoyed 28 wins and a draw and was a winner on two of his four visits to Stade de France, so he knows what it takes to win there.

“Gats is brilliant at playing the underdog card, bringing players and teams together in a very short space of time, and getting results out of them,” added Jones.

“There is some experience coming back in Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and Josh Adams, and we’re pretty confident we can go out there and do a decent job.

“We know we have to go out there, go at them and try to keep the crowd silent.

“It’s a key thing to silence the crowd in Paris, and if you can do that it’s half the battle done. It sounds a bit like what Oliver Reed says to Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator, but it’s true.

“We want to go there and win. As long as the players don’t listen to the outside noises, or read some of the tripe that’s written, we’ll be OK.”

Jones made the last of his 95 appearances for Wales against South Africa in 2014, leaving him agonisingly short of his century. If that hurt at the time, he says there is no lingering discontent between him and Gatland.

“We’ve kissed and made up. It got twisted a little bit when I finished, and I guess anyone who finishes their career is going to be a bit upset,” said Jones.

“But what he did for me as a player was huge. I wouldn’t have got to 95 caps, won Grand Slams or gone on British & Irish Lions tours if he hadn’t have come in at that time and pushed me in the right direction.

“He got me to that level and I will always be thankful for that. I’m happy to work for him because he had such a massive influence on my career.”