RBS SIX NATIONS: Ireland v Wales
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin Date: Saturday, 13 March Kick-off: 1430 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and BBC Sport website; Radio 5 live, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
 Jones says Wales have to adopt a shrewd kicking policy in ireland |
Stephen Jones insists Wales have to be smarter if they are to beat Ireland on Saturday in the RBS Six Nations. "The challenge for us as a group of players is to make sure we play for 80 minutes and not just in patches," warned fly-half Jones. "We have to be smart in the way we play. We are playing against a very, very good Irish side that has had success of late. "We have to make sure we are clinical and efficient in our style of play." After two defeats and a victory in the championship so far, Wales head to Croke Park in Dublin having conceded more points than any of the other five countries, but are joint top try-scorers with France. Coach Warren Gatland's side have scored seven tries but have also conceded seven, including three to interceptions - two of those coming in their home loss to France last time out. "We want to play the game in a certain way," revealed Jones, who on Saturday is set to join another Wales outside-half, Neil Jenkins, on 87 caps. "We do want to play with a bit of width and tempo. We are a passing side. "What has crept into our game this year is individual error and because of that we have had three interceptions against us, which has been disappointing.  | We haven't been as clinical as we would have liked Wales fly-half Stephen Jones |
"We have also been slow to start in games, but what has come through is our attacking ability is good. "We do create chances. We haven't been as clinical as we would have liked, and we finish games strongly." As well as their traditional running game, Wales realise that they have to adopt an efficient tactical kicking approach in order to crack an Ireland defence which conceded just one try in their win over England at Twickenham. "Kicking is an important part of our game. It's the variety of kicks. Kicking across the backline - it's a way we want to manipulate the defence," Jones added. He admitted it is a setback to lose skipper and number eight Ryan Jones but Wales are blessed to have good replacements as a captain and in the back-row. "Obviously people are disappointed for Ryan. He is a great player and a great leader. But we are fortunate that we have Martyn [Williams] to come in and lead the side now. | 606: DEBATE |
"He is highly respected by the players, very experience and of course Gareth Delve comes into the eight position - a natural number eight - and he is champing at the bit. "From our game plan it makes it a lot easier because we are replacing like for like and we can continue in the same style which has been effective for us." Jones will partner scrum-half Richie Rees for a second consecutive match and he has no qualms about the Blues number nine starting ahead of his former Scarlets team-mate Dwayne Peel. "I think Richie had a fantastic game against France. He is a great player," Jones said. "He has a great work ethic and [he is] a good team man as well. He is looking forward to another opportunity and rightly so."
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