Ryan wants chance to tame Boks

Mar 17 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

RYAN JONES last night talked about that scrum and told Warren Gatland to put his name down for this summer’s tour of South Africa.

Gatland revealed he might leave a couple of players at home, but skipper Jones insisted he didn’t want to be among them.

“I’m going,” the No 8 playfully chided Gatland at a celebratory Wales press conference at their Vale of Glamorgan headquarters.

“Jones is anxious to make up for lost time after periods on the sidelines with a succession of shoulder injuries since the British Lions tour of New Zealand three years ago.

And he predicted newly-crowned European champions Wales can match World Cup holders South Africa when they head to the republic for two Tests in June.

“We will certainly go there believing we can perform,” declared the 27-year-old Ospreys forward.

“If we get everything right and impose ourselves, we will give any team a go.”

Wales were leading 19-9 in the 66th minute at the Millennium Stadium at the weekend when France mounted a major assault and were awarded the put-in at a scrum in a prime position deep inside the Welsh 22.

But Jones ordered a huge eight-man shove and Wales dug deep to push the French off the ball which had huge psychological significance.

From then, France capitulated and Wales went on to win.

“For me, it was the turning point, the moment we realised they had cracked, we were better than they were and it was our game,” he beamed.

“There were huge pats on the backs for the tight five and, quite rightly, recognition for the effort they have put in over the five games really.”

Jones, below, revealed what he told the Wales squad when they gathered in the quiet of their bolthole deep in the bowels of the Millennium Stadium with the trophy following the stunning 29-12 triumph.

“I said my proudest moment was not lifting the trophy on behalf of them but of being in the changing room with them because I knew how hard they have worked to get what they took on Saturday,” he confided.

View images from a glorious Grand Slam weekend click here