The Wales tight-head will have little analysis to do on his opposite number Paul James, someone he has played with or against for the last 16 years.
Former teammates with the Ospreys and ever-present in the Wales scrum, the duo will pack down opposite each other as the Lions tour gets underway in Hong Kong.
And Jones is ready for a fierce battle with James, who will have a point to prove following his omission from the Lions squad.
“I’m playing against one of my best mates, a player I’ve played with and against for the last 16 years, so there isn’t much I don’t know about him – or him about me,” said Jones.
And while Jones will know plenty about his direct opposition, he will be part of a slightly unfamiliar front-row with teammate Richard Hibbard and Saracens and England prop Mako Vunipola.
“Mako has been amazing for Saracens this season. He’s 10 years younger than me and so we’ll sit down and look over the props before Saturday. He’s up against Martin Castrogiovanni,” said Jones.
“It’s great to have Richard Hibbard injury free once again to play at hooker.
“He was brilliant for Wales in the Six Nations, although he has already told me he is the most nervous he has ever been before a game.”
Jones is one of nine Welshmen in Warren Gatland’s side to face the Baa-Baas, with a further two on the bench, and he is thrilled with his inclusion.
“It is the highest honour you can have as a British or Irish player, playing for the Lions, it’s the history of it all,” said Jones.
“We would all have watched the 1997 documentary and it sticks in your mind what an experience that was.
“Being a Lion means you are one of the best players in your position in the British Isles and right now I’d probably go for a Lions series win over a World Cup win if you pushed me.
“The first time we played in South Africa it was at altitude and it was very uncomfortable. “I wouldn’t mind starting in the second or third game in normal conditions.
“But, as Ian McGeechan said, to start the first game on any tour is a massive thing and I am honoured to be playing at the weekend. It’s a massive game.
“A Barbarians v Lions game doesn’t come around very often.
“It’s not quite a Test match, but to have the game in such a special place as this makes it a huge game and special to be involved in.”
Further to facing the star-studded Barbarians, the Lions will come up against searing heat and humidity.
Jones has described the Lions’ first training session in Hong Kong as horrific and is ready for a testing ordeal.
“It is horrible. It was a shock to the system more than anything,” added Jones.
“It was 35 degrees and very humid yesterday in training. Apparently it is going to be the hottest day of the year on Saturday
“I’ve never played in conditions like this before. It gets a little bit balmy in Neath, but nothing as bad as this.
“It makes you feel sick although, as weird as it sounds, when you are training or running it wasn’t so bad.
“But when you stop and try to get your breath back it just wasn’t there. It stuck in your throat and you are left gagging for air.
“I sweat in normal conditions, and I’m sweating here in the air conditioning, so I don’t know what it’s going to be like on Saturday.
“Maybe I’ll lose a few pounds – that’d be good!”
