Jones backs France to prevail

Published: Saturday, 3. March, 2012 in category Rabo Direct Pro 12
Jones: Believes France will beat Ireland on Sunday

Such an outcome would then leave Les Bleus needing to then beat England to set up a title and Grand Slam decider against Wales in Cardiff on March 17, providing Jones and company see off Italy in seven days' time.

Jones, though, insists Wales cannot be distracted by the prospect of another huge Millennium Stadium occasion.

"We will not be taking Italy lightly," Jones said. "They are a tough side to play against, and we cannot afford to look to the France game.

"I think they will beat Ireland on Sunday because Paris is a hell of a hard place to go and France have class all over the place, but Ireland can give them a hard game."

Wales' victory over England last Saturday secured a 20th championship Triple Crown, leaving them two wins away from a second Six Nations title and Grand Slam of coach Warren Gatland's four-year reign.

But Jones added: "We have not produced the complete performance this year. We have played for 10 or 20 minutes here and there.

"To win the title you are going to have to pull one 80-minute performance out of the bag.

"England was a tough game - they stopped us from playing. It was a rearguard effort, and then came a bit of magic from Scott Williams.

"Since I have been playing for Wales, if we struggled we just asked where Shane Williams was and gave him the ball and cracked on. We now have a back-line that can change games, and we just get the ball to them."