Jones keeps his counsel as Lions calls begin to grow

Back in 2005, the No 8 surged to global prominence as a central figure in his country's European conquest. However, Sir Clive Woodward could not initially find any room for him in his 44-man Lions squad, only for Jones to be summoned after Lawrence Dallaglio was ruled out.

Once on board, he was a revelation, playing with such authority from the outset that his promotion to the Test XV became a formality. His sensational form was one of the few highlights of a disastrous series for the out-played tourists.

In the intervening period, the 26-year-old Osprey has been bedevilled by injuries, but now he has returned to prominence, having been appointed Wales captain by Warren Gatland last month. Since then, the Dragons have beaten England in their RBS Six Nations opener at Twickenham, before home wins against Scotland and Italy which have left them all alone as the only unbeaten side in the competition.

Jones has made enough of an impression to prompt ex-England hooker, Brian Moore, to identify him as 'a potential Lions leader' for next summer's tour of South Africa. But the subject of such heady praise attempted to put his prospects into context.

'Well, I hope Brian Moore is picking the squad then!' he quipped, before adding: 'It is flattering, but there's been a lot of not-so-nice things written about me as well over the last few weeks. You try not to get involved in it.

'There was talk I would go on the last Lions tour, but the phone call never came and I went as a replacement in the end, so you can't think about things like that. I'm eight games back after being out for 11 months and have got a way to go.'

Although Jones is currently the leading ball-carrier in the Six Nations, it is true that he is still re-acclimatising to the fire and fury of Test rugby after missing the World Cup with a severe shoulder problem. And having been substituted by Gatland during the second half of Wales' win over Scotland, he was at pains to emphasise that his game remains a work in progress.

'I've been pleased with patches of the three games, but I've got a way to go yet to get back to some form,' he said. 'I've been out a long time, I'm still struggling with certain aspects and I'm a bit sore after games. I don't think I've ever been happy with the way I've played. It is coming. I just need some more game-time and fortunately we are winning.'

Next up for Wales is a trip to face Ireland in Dublin in 10 days' time. The skipper insists he and his players are confident they can triumph at Croke Park, Ireland's temporary home where they are proving a tough nut to crack.

'Twickenham was quite a fortress for England, but we managed to win there,' he said. If you get it right on the day, it doesn't matter if you are playing here, there or anywhere. I have got a huge belief that we can do it and I know the guys believe as well.'