Second best has to be our aim, insists Jones
ALUN Wyn Jones last night urged his Wales team to finish the Six Nations on a high, with second place the prize for beating France at the Principality Stadium.
The Wales captain lamented missed opportunities earlier in the tournament and admitted his disappointment that his team are not in contention for silverware in the final round of matches.
But Jones insisted the outlook is positive in the longer term for Warren Gatland’s squad.
“If we win, we’ll get second, and that’s the aim,” Jones said.
“That is the best possible finish we can aim for, with Ireland having won the championship. It’s a definite focus for us.
“We had a better start out of the blocks than we’d had in recent years.
“A couple of games probably went astray with average starts, and then we had our opportunities at the end , and if we had capitalised, we could be in a different position now.
“So, disappointed not to be vying for the championship in the last game, but there are pleasing points in the performances that we’ve shown. A lot of players have had opportunities, and hopefully the strength in depth is there.”
Jones warned that Wales cannot afford to let the powerful French pack take a stranglehold.
He added: “If they (France) get a roll on with the specimens they have up front, it’s going to be a tough day at the office.
“We know they have made a couple of changes, and we are wary of that, whether it’s their danger at scrum, line-out or in general play. We are wary of the side they have.
“A French side home or away is very dangerous, and we will expect that tomorrow.”
Meanwhile Jones, who it was announced yesterday has signed a new national dual contract to keep playing for the Ospreys, criticised England boss Eddie Jones for his derogatory remarks about Wales which emerged earlier in the week.
Jones described Wales as “a little s*** place” and while Alun Wyn was diplomatic about the remarks he did make clear his displeasure.
“Eddie talks a lot. What he says, he says,” the Wales skipper said.
“Whatever he said about Wales, it’s my country. I am not here to say whether somebody saying something is good or bad. It’s probably a poor choice of words on his part, I’m guessing. Uncle Eddie will be able to sort himself out.”