Shane’s vote of confidence for Hannah and Wales
HANNAH Jones has revealed she received a message of congratulations from Shane Williams after Wales Women secured their second victory of the Six Nations campaign at the weekend.
After securing an emotional win over Ireland in Dublin in their opening game, Wales beat Scotland 24-19 in Cardiff to maintain their 100 per cent start to this year’s tournament. It’s the first campaign since the WRU handed out professional contracts to 12 players back in January, plus 12 semi-professional deals.
Jones has played an integral part in the bonus-point wins, including a solo try against the Irish. She will likely be one of the players Wales look to this weekend, with world number one side England awaiting them in Gloucester.
The 25-year-old admits the reaction from the Welsh public to their early success has been roundly welcomed.
“It’s been brilliant,” she said. “Getting the two wins means we could not have asked for much a better outcome.
“It takes a little bit longer walking around the Tesco aisles these days - it is nice to have the support of the community. After the first week they were saying to me ‘nice try’ and ‘good win’.
“I went to the pool in Ammanford. Shane Williams was there and it was nice to speak to him.
“He watched our game and he said well done on the win, so it’s nice to know the men are watching as well and we are getting recognised for it.”
Jones knows Kingsholm well given that she plays her club rugby for Gloucester-Hartpury.
“I love it at the Shed,” added Jones. “I have played there a few times now and there is always a brilliant crowd and facilities.
“The noise is something we will have to cope with in our communications. We have hand signals if we can’t hear each other in the backline.
“It’s going to be a very loud game, so hopefully we can have some travelling Welsh fans and we can hear them.”
Jones and her Welsh team-mates also know the strengths of their opponents as many play for sides in the Allianz Premier 15s.
“It is a good challenge to play with and against them,” said Jones.
“It will definitely give us a confidence boost going into this weekend knowing we do play with them weekin, week-out in the Allianz Premiership, so why can’t we push them on the weekend?”
Jones believes Wales’ new-found positive attitude has been instilled by new coach Ioan Cunningham.
“Ioan has brought confidence for us and an attitude of playing within structure but also expressing yourself,” added Jones.
“There is no doing wrong and there is a lot of confidence shown in us as players to go out there and play what we see and back ourselves, which I don’t think we have had before.
“He has come from an experienced background at Scarlets and knows what he is talking about, so it’s nice to have that in place.”
More than 11,000 supporters are expected at Kingsholm as England aim to extend a 20-match winning run.
“We can’t afford a slow start,” added Jones.
“We are playing the world number one and if we do that, they are going to punish us.
“We have to start fast and go for it. We have nothing to lose and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“I am looking forward to seeing what we have put in training and seeing if we perform against the best.
“We will face the pressure of having to play in front of 11,000 with the world’s best in front of you on Saturday.
“If you want to be the best you have to play the best.”