Wales must be ‘bold and brave’

RYAN JONES has urged Wales to be “bold, brave and clinical” in their make-or-break RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland today.

Victory at Murrayfield would reignite Wales’ Six Nations title hopes after a 26-19 loss to England seven days ago.

The odds though, suggest otherwise, given that Wales have gone eight Tests without a win, triumphed in just two of their last 14 games and only recorded three Murrayfield successes since 1985.

Not since a 10-match losing run under New Zealander Steve Hansen between November 2002 and August 2003 can Wales reflect on such a demoralising and prolonged spell in the doldrums.

They will also encounter a Scotland team rejuvenated under Andy Robinson’s coaching direction, one that has toppled world champions South Africa and beaten Argentina twice in South America during an eight-month period when Wales have floundered.

“I’ve been in and around the environment for a long time now, and been through some highs and lows,” said former Wales captain Jones, who wins his 48th cap this weekend.

“I have been very fortunate to have captained the team, and I try and support Matthew (Rees) now in what he is doing. We’ve also got a lot of youngsters who possibly haven’t got that experience to draw upon.

“We are going to go up there as slight underdogs, and we’ve got to thrive on that. We’ve got to make sure we are bold, brave at times too, and certainly be more clinical.

“If we can get a win, then hopefully we will be back on the right road.”

Ospreys star Jones knows all about the rollercoaster ride international rugby can often resemble.

A Grand Slam-winning skipper in 2008 – only Ieuan Evans has led Wales more times – he was replaced by Scarlets hooker Rees for this season’s autumn Test series and then failed to make the starting line-up against England.

But Andy Powell’s shoulder injury, coupled with Jones’ impressive display when he replaced him before half-time last Friday night, means the 29-year-old is back in the number eight shirt.

He added: “As you get older, it’s like any job, you draw on different experiences and you try to put things in perspective at times.

“I just thoroughly enjoy playing rugby. It is about going out, being your own man and just playing.

“It’s professional sport. You get the highs and lows week to week, the distractions and all the other things that go with it. It’s just something you learn to deal with.

Jones admits he looked at the possibilities of playing club rugby in France – a path soon to be taken by current Wales team-mates James Hook and Lee Byrne — before re-signing with the Ospreys until 2014.

“There is a huge appeal to it,” he said. “It is something I did consider prior to re-signing for the Ospreys.

“But this is my home, this is where my family and friends are and I dearly love the club I play for.

Meanwhile Scotland head coach Andy Robinson will wait and see if Richie Gray is forced out by illness.

Gray was Scotland’s star performer in the 34-21 loss to France after a barnstorming display in attack and defence but was absent from Scotland’s eve-of-match training session at Murrayfield due to a stomach bug.

The 21-year-old Glasgow Warriors forward was named in an unchanged starting side by Robinson and was on course to win his eighth cap, but now the head coach could be forced to re-jig his forward pack.

If Gray is not deemed fit to play, Nathan Hines will switch from blindside flanker to the second row alongside captain Alastair Kellock, with Kelly Brown moving to blindside flanker and Richie Vernon promoted off the bench to start at number eight.