Wales Rugby Union team can bounce back, Jones says

LONDON (AFP) –

Wales’ prop Adam Jones at Eden Park in Auckland on October 14, 2011. Wales are capable of defending their Six Nations title, despite an abysmal run of recent defeats and a stack of injuries, Jones says.

Wales are capable of defending their Six Nations title, despite an abysmal run of recent defeats and a stack of injuries, according to prop Adam Jones.

The 83-times capped front-rower missed the Welsh defeats in November Test matches against southern hemisphere sides due to injury, but he made a welcome return to club play for Ospreys in an impressive 17-6 European Cup win over Toulouse on Saturday.

Those losses relegated the Welsh into the third tier group of nations for the 2015 World Cup, but the pessimism engulfing the side could be lifted at the upcoming Six Nations tournament, Jones believes.

“It was tough to miss the autumn series because you know what it’s like in camp – the build-up is always exciting,” he said.

“It was probably a good series to miss, the way it turned out. But I don’t think we’ve turned into a poor team overnight.

“There’s a lot of talent in the squad. If we can get everyone fit, we can give anyone in the Six Nations a run for their money.

“A lot has been made about Warren Gatland being away on Lions duty but the coaches there are fantastic anyway.

“Of course Gats is a big influence, but I don’t see why we can’t retain our title. It’s obviously going to be difficult, but I don’t see why not.”