Cardiff can stoke Welsh revival says Ryan

FORMER Wales captain Ryan Jones is hoping home comforts can help Rob Howley’s underperforming side return to winning ways against Ireland.

Wales host Joe Schmidt’s men at Principality Stadium on Friday with a full house expected for the night-time encounter.

Wales have been heavily criticised after their defeat to Scotland and Jones said: “On weeks like this I’m glad I’m not playing!

“Ireland is going to be a hell of a challenge and I’m glad it’s at home because that brings added value. Ireland are physical and they can play a great brand of rugby.

“I was as disappointed as everyone else in Scotland, and I know what the guys are going through. It’s almost like a period of mourning and it’s hard.”

Wales drew with Ireland in Dublin in last season’s Six Nations but beat the men in green 23-16 on home soil the year before.

Jones, who won three Grand Slams, has moved on from his playing days by taking on a senior role with the Welsh Rugby Union.

“I started my transition about 18 months before I finished because I realised with all the bumps I had that it was never going to last forever,” Jones said.

“My passion has always been rugby and sports administration and the challenges I’ve faced have been good. Rugby taught me you never shirk a challenge.

“The beauty of sport is there’s always another challenge. In Wales you’re either up or down, there’s no in between.

“It will be interesting to see how the team come out of the defeat to Scotland. They’ll need nothing short of a fantastic performance to allow them to be competitive against Ireland.”