Jones rates young stars

Having missed the whole of the 2006 RBS Six Nations with a shoulder injury, the Ospreys No.8 is fired up for Sunday's Millennium Stadium clash in Cardiff. With rising star James Hook set to shine at inside centre after proving he is one of Wales's most talented players with a superb Invesco Perpetual Series, Jones is buoyed by the current cluster of young Wales stars pushing for honours.

"I haven't been this excited about a rugby match for ages," said Jones. "The challenge of facing Ireland first up is huge, it will be a great bench mark for us. The most exciting thing is that there is no reason why we can't win. We have the belief and a home crowd behind us. The results from last year did not go our way, but we have had a whole load of talent come through.

"Just look at the way guys like Gavin Evans, James Hook, Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones have come in and taken the pressure really well. They were thrown in at the deep end but have put their hands up and really shown that they want it. It's important they keep pushing hard, they bring new life to the squad and you need the development of the squad to come from the new boys, not just the senior players."

Speaking of the fantastic support Wales have received over recent seasons Jones commented: "The fans have been great in recent times and we owe it to them to do well."