Stephen Jones insists Wales must vary their game if they are to start the Six Nations with a bang.
Jones starts at fly-half in Friday’s tournament opener with England in Cardiff and the veteran playmaker is confident Wales have the firepower to trouble the visitors’ defence.
Head coach Warren Gatland has selected a backline that includes in-form centre Jonathan Davies, returning hero Jamie Roberts, former IRB World Player of the Year Shane Williams and the mercurial James Hook, but Jones is fully aware that Wales cannot simply rely on their gamebreakers.
Jones knows the Welsh forwards must first provide a platform up front and that he and halfback partner Mike Phillips must be smarten enough to keep England guessing with a penetrating kicking game.
“If we deliver in all aspects of our game-plan then I’m confident. We have a very talented back line but the big challenge is to mix what we have and know when to use them,” said Jones, who will win his 96th cap this weekend.
“We have to manipulate their defence whether that’s by attacking or with a kicking game.
“But with the players we have we would be foolish not to get the ball in their hands.
“When we have quick ball we have to get it to the likes of Shane Williams and James Hook. But you have to earn the right to do that.”
Wales head into Friday’s fixture looking to bounce back from their autumn defeats to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and Jones admits that getting a good start in the Six Nations is always of huge importance.
A win in the tournament’s opening fixture would help build momentum as Wales seek a third Grand Slam in seven years.
Throw in the history of past Wales versus England clashes and the importance of Friday’s game becomes even more apparent.
“I can’t underestimate the importance of this first game. We can’t afford sloppy errors and we have to be accurate,” added Jones.
“England are very effective in defence and we have to be clinical – when we create overlaps we have to take them.
“The fact that it’s the first game of the Six Nations is of huge importance, then you add the fact that it’s Wales versus England.
“We realise the importance of this game and we have to be successful.”
