Stephen Jones’ quality as a potential British & Irish Lions Test fly-half has been backed to the hilt by his former club coach.
Jones is among 10 of Wales’ Grand Slam heroes selected to tour New Zealand with the Lions this summer.
And, with increasing uncertainty surrounding Jonny Wilkinson’s fitness for the 11-game expedition, Jones is in a strong position to make the number 10 jersey his own.
Gareth Jenkins, one of Sir Clive Woodward’s Lions coaching staff, witnessed Jones’ progression during the player’s spell at Llanelli, and he has no doubt that he is good enough for the challenge ahead.
"When Stephen started playing international rugby, he was a young man developing his game, and he is a guy now, who is 27, and on top of his game," said Jenkins.
"What we have got, at the moment, is a player totally confident in his own ability, very comfortable with the style of rugby his national team is playing, and a player who has got huge self-belief and actually enjoys playing rugby.
"He doesn’t feel the pressures of the game, he enjoys it. Stephen Jones is going on this trip without a doubt, as a very strong candidate to be a Test player."
