Jones issues first call to arms

ryan Jones: Flying the flag and beating the drum

Ryan Jones, speaking from the Welsh training camp in Ireland, has spoken confidently about the forthcoming tour to South Africa, which will pit the Grand Slam Champions against the World Champions.

The Welsh will travel missing some pivotal figures from their Six Nations campaign: Martyn Williams, Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips have all so far been ruled out, along with Mark Jones, Dwayne Peel, and Alix Popham.

But Jones reckons the strength in depth developed by coaches Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards will stand the Welsh in good stead in Bloemfontein and Pretoria.

"Of course we are confident we can go to South Africa and give the Springboks a real challenge," said Jones to the Western Mail.

"We won the Six Nations through having a strong squad and we know we have players who can come into the team and do a good job.

"We don't know who will actually be going to South Africa until the squad is announced next week, but clearly there are question marks over a few of the players.

"We will just have to wait and see who is fit, but we have got an abundance of quality players pushing for places.

"South Africa are a top team. Being world champions underlines that. But these are the sort of challenges you relish as players.

"We will travel with belief and give it a real go."

The squad has been undergoing cryotherapy this week in Wexford, a form of treatment which speeds up the body's recovery from exercise. Training has been interspersed with immersions into a sub-zero chamber.

"It's like walking into a big freezer," said Jones.

"I don't know if it works ... but it's freezing!"