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Jones insists there is plenty of front-row talent

Jones insists there is plenty of front-row talent

Adam Jones has become one of the most prized players in Wales yet the 82-cap prop reckons there is plenty of burgeoning tight-head talent.

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The Ospreys cornerstone has been an ever-present feature in the Wales pack in recent years and clinched his third Grand Slam against France earlier this month.

Warren Gatland has identified tight-head prop as one of the main areas he needs to develop strength in depth and Jones is confident the talent is there.

“You’re doing a disservice to the other boys there by saying I’m that important,” the ever-modest prop told the Western Mail.

“Craig Mitchell is playing well in Exeter. As much as I’d have preferred it had he stayed here at the Ospreys, I think it’s a good move for him because he’s playing a lot of rugby at a good level.

“For whatever reason he hasn’t played a lot, but the more he scrummages the better he’s going to get.

“Craig’s an excellent player, while you have Scott Andrews at the Blues and I think they are trying to convert Rhodri Jones to tight-head over at Llanelli.

“Young Joe Rees here at the Ospreys is another one. He’s similar to myself at that age. He’ll be good.

“There may not be many tight-heads, but there’s always someone out there, chasing me.”

Jones insists the only way to master the dark arts of scrummaging is through experience and he reckons the rookie props need to be given time to develop.

“It took me about eight years probably,” added Jones. “I obviously found it difficult when I started. It’s a position where experience does help.

“Not even someone like Carl Hayman was amazing when he was 24. He wasn’t quite the dominant force he is now.

“He has got better and better with age. People like Joe Rees have got to play rugby.”

Jones is likely to remain a crucial part of the Welsh pack for several years to come and he was delighted to secure a new contract at the Ospreys to buck the trend of those moving abroad.

“There were loads of different factors for staying. There’s the family for one. I haven’t won much with the Ospreys either. I’d like to see it through.

“I’m happy here. It’s my region. I’m not saying I’d never go to France but I want to see it through for a couple of years.”

Jones will make his first home appearance since agreeing a new deal in tomorrow’s PRO12 showdown with Treviso and he insists the Ospreys must maintain the momentum from their monumental victory over Leinster last week.

“No matter where you go, it’s always good to go home and the Liberty Stadium is home for me.

Having re-signed at the start of February I’ve had the small matter of the Six Nations to deal with which means this will be the first time I’ve had the chance to play at the Liberty since then and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It was a very good win, especially with it being Brian O’Driscoll’s first game back for them,” added Jones, who came off the bench.

“It was a big occasion. I don’t think you can overestimate how big it was with O’Driscoll coming back.

“He is a massive talisman for them. For our boys to go out there and beat them is a big achievement. They’ve got a good following and a hell of a good squad. So it was very pleasing

“Nobody expected us to win, but Steve (Tandy) is building a belief here now.” 

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