Jones: The confidence is back

ADAM JONES returns to the Wales side for today’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland after spending the last three months rebuilding his shattered confidence.

Last November, the 19-stone Ospreys tight-head prop was put through the wringer by New Zealand’s powerful front row as Wales crumbled to a 45-10 home defeat.

Jones admitted he took weeks to recover from the experience of facing Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver at their destructive best.

But now the 25-year-old believes he will become a better player for it.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’ve never experienced something like that before. They were that good and I was pretty down for about three weeks,” said Jones.

“Since then, I’ve played against some pretty tough scrummaging teams like Stade Francais and Sale and it’s gone fine.

“My confidence is getting a bit better now after a good Christmas and new year with the Ospreys. “It was a tough experience, but I think I will learn from it. I think it could be useful in the long term.”

Jones missed out on selection last weekend as head coach Gareth Jenkins opted for Chris Horsman’s bulk against Ireland.

But the 25-year-old has been brought in along with fellow Osprey Duncan Jones to “re-energise” the side after a shortened six-day turnaround.

Murrayfield holds special memories for Jones of a stunning victory in 2005.

Jones is one of seven survivors from that game, in which Wales ran in five tries before half-time before eventually winning 46-22.

“That was the craziest half of rugby I’ve been part of,” he said. “The boys were running in tries from everywhere.

“It was a good day and I wouldn’t mind a bit of the same this weekend, but I’d imagine it’s going to be a bit tougher than that.”

Meanwhile Scotland’s Rob Dewey is determined to repay head coach Frank Hadden’s belief in his ability to penetrate Welsh lines at Murrayfield.

The Edinburgh inside centre was surprised to be promoted from the bench for today’s clash.

Dewey is eager to inject pace and demonstrate a positive approach to a match Scotland are desperate to win.

“Rob is a well-known try-scorer,” said Hadden.

“He has a lot of ability and we need to harness that quickly.”