The tighthead is one of a select number of Welsh players to have won three Grand Slams but after returning from Australia this week with a 2-1 series win in the bag, Jones says it will be hard to top the experience of the last month.
When asked to review the tour, 32-year-old Jones said: “I want to let it settle in now and realise how big it is to be a Lions winner.
“I think it’s [the Lions] probably surpassed that. [three Grand Slams] There’s history with winning three Grand Slams and I’ve won leagues with the Ospreys but this is the pinnacle for me, it’s brilliant.”
Alongside Richard Hibbard and Alex Corbisiero, Jones helped demolish the Australian scrum in the vital third Test decider in Sydney. The set piece dominance gave the relentless Leigh Halfpenny a number of shots at goal to push the Lions out into a comfortable lead.
“I was happy with how I went,” was Jones’ assessment of his form Down Under.
“We had a few issues in the first two Tests regarding the refereeing of the scrum but by the final one, we were the dominant scrum. To get so many penalties and points from it was brilliant.
“It wasn’t just myself. Richard, Corbs, Dan, Tom and Mako all came on and the points kept coming.”
Jones’ insistence on praising all of his front row colleagues demonstrates the team spirit within the Lions squad. It was a hugely successful tour for Warren Gatland’s men, the crushing 41-16 win victory in the final Test securing a first series win since 1997.
“The camaraderie was good. There were no cliques and everyone got on with each other, that’s half the battle really,” said Jones.
“I want to crack on now and try and reach the next World Cup, do as well as we possibly can and that’s me done then.”
Jones was one of 10 Welshmen who started the final Test, a decision which was vindicated following the Lions’ clinical performance.
A number of Jones’ international teammates impressed Down Under – Jonathan Davies, Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau all producing barnstorming displays at the ANZ Stadium.
But it’s one of Jones’ fellow front rowers for whom he reserves special praise.
“Richard [Hibbard] has gone and proved that he’s obviously the best hooker in Wales and obviously the best hooker in Britain,” he added.
“He’ll be pushing now to be the best hooker in the world over the next couple of years and he’s got every attribute you need to be world class. There’s no doubt that he will be just that.”
