Jones is one of seven survivors from that historic triumph three years ago that will start against France at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, bidding for another clean sweep. And the captain admits that experience will help make sure his team do not take their eye off the ball this week after four straight wins.
Jones said: “2005 is certainly an experience to call upon this week, the excitement of the build up and the pressure of the moment.
“We all know what things get like in Wales at times like this and you may be tempted to draw the curtains to hide away from it. But that last Grand Slam was three years ago and while it gives us something to look back on, we’re all fully aware it will have no bearing on what happens this weekend.
“We can’t afford to look back. We just have to make sure we’re all clued up on France and keep doing what we’ve been doing well so far. We have to keep moving on but we know we’re coming up against a world-class team.”
Wales are unbeaten at the top the championship, though second-placed France can still pinch the title in the final game of the tournament if they win by 20 points or more at Cardiff.
Wales Coach Warren Gatland has always maintained the crown of champions is the priority ahead of such ‘bonuses’ as a Triple Crown or Grand Slam but defeat is hardly the manner in which any team wants to lift a trophy.
“It would be pretty hard if we lost the game but still won the championship, but it’s something we’re not even contemplating. We will deal with anything like that on the day, but right now all we are concerned with is beating France,” said Jones.
However, winning the Six Nations title, by whatever means, will complete a stunning turnaround in fortunes for Wales who crashed out of the World Cup in France just five months ago. That defeat saw Gatland replace Gareth Jenkins as coach and Jones believes that change has been a significant factor behind the staggering rapid up-turn for Wales.
He said: “We could see where Warren was coming from, what he expected from the guys in terms of work rate and work ethic. He talked about the time-frame that he thought it would take us to get there and anything in between would be an advantage.
“But when we came together there was a real belief and buzz. The World Cup was a huge disappointment but as a group of players, you cannot dwell on things.
“The boys have bought into what Warren has demanded and here we are, eight weeks later: we’re on the verge of something pretty special.”
WALES: Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (Captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Matthew Rees, Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, Gareth Delve, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Sonny Parker
