Welsh Rugby

  • Home
  • Rugby
  • Wales Legend Adam Jones Ready To Be Oliver Reed To Warren Gatland’S Russell Crowe

Wales Legend Adam Jones Ready to be Oliver Reed to Warren Gatland’s Russell Crowe

Paul JonesPaul Jones28 January 2025
Wales scrum coach Adam Jones during a press conference at the Vale Resort, Hensol. Pic: Alamy

Wales scrum coach Adam Jones during a press conference at the Vale Resort, Hensol. Pic: Alamy

Adam Jones has thrown his support behind Warren Gatland, confident the Wales head coach can orchestrate a turnaround ahead of their daunting Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Friday. Jones, who earned 95 caps for Wales and played a pivotal role in three Grand Slam triumphs, has joined Gatland’s coaching team as a scrum consultant on secondment from Harlequins.

By Paul Jones

Adam Jones has thrown his support behind Warren Gatland, confident the Wales head coach can orchestrate a turnaround ahead of their daunting Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Friday.

Jones, who earned 95 caps for Wales and played a pivotal role in three Grand Slam triumphs, has joined Gatland’s coaching team as a scrum consultant on secondment from Harlequins.

While Wales head into the campaign on the back of 12 consecutive Test defeats, Jones believes his former coach still possesses the ability to unite a team and deliver results.

“What he (Gatland) is good at, and certainly was when I was a player, was that backs-to-the-wall narrative,” said Jones.

“He brings players and teams together in a very short space of time and gets results out of them. He is exceptional at that. I am backing him to pull it round.”

Jones, who has quickly settled into his new role at Wales’ training base, is relishing the opportunity to contribute.

“It’s good to be back, and I guess what I bring is a different voice,” he said.

“When this chance came up, I was dying to do it. Quins were amazing – there was no messing around, and they said, ‘Let’s get it done as soon as possible.’”

Recalling his own memories of tough days against France, Jones added, “I’ve been to Paris and done okay, and I’ve been there and had my backside handed to me – it’s a tough place to go.

“We have to go there with a plan. We want to take them on and not give them anything – no easy outs.”
Wales, however, face a formidable challenge on Friday night.

France, buoyed by the return of their talismanic captain Antoine Dupont following his Olympic sevens gold medal triumph, will pose a significant threat.

Jones is under no illusions about the task ahead but sees reasons for optimism.

“The whole country and the whole rugby world thinks we are going to go there and get pumped,” he said.

“We are pretty confident we can go out there and do a job. It’s a key thing out there if we can silence the crowd.

“It sounds a bit like Gladiator when Oliver Reed says it to Russell Crowe. If we can silence that, it’s half the battle won.”

The former prop, who experienced both highs and lows under Gatland, reflected on the impact the coach had on his career.

“We’ve kissed and made up,” Jones said, referring to the fallout from being substituted early against South Africa in 2014 in what turned out to be his final Test.

“It got twisted a little bit when I finished, and I guess anyone who finishes their career is going to be a bit upset.

“But what he did for me as a player was huge. I wouldn’t have got to 95 caps, won Grand Slams, or gone on Lions tours if he hadn’t have come in at that time and pushed me in the right direction.

“He had a certain way of doing things with me. He got me to that level, and I will always be thankful for that.”

Jones’ enthusiasm for the role is clear, but he also acknowledged the difficult position Wales find themselves in after such a prolonged losing streak.

“It has been hard to see what has happened in the last couple of years, but the boys and the coaches are working hard to put things right,” he said.

Gatland will hope Jones’ experience and energy can help inject some grit into the Welsh pack as they prepare to face a French side full of confidence.

Wales have lost their last six Tests against France, and some bookmakers have them installed as an 80-1 Six Nations title shot this season.

Quins Insist Adam Jones is Only a Loan Deal to Wales

Related News

Callum Sheedy of Cardiff. Pic: Alamy

Callum Sheedy Loves Cardiff . . . Hates Missing Kicks

Callum Sheedy is proving why Cardiff were so keen to sign him as he continues to guide the team to progress at the Arms Park.

Simon Thomas | 13 hours ago
Scotland v Wales - Women's Six Nations. Pic: Alamy

Sean Lynn Insists Wales Will Build On Losing Start To Six Nations

Wales suffered the same fate as their male colleagues as they lost the opening match of the Six Nations – but there were grounds for optimism.

Hannah Blackwell | 14 hours ago
Adam Beard of Ospreys. Pic: Alamy

Adam Beard To Launch Final Lions Bid With Ospreys Return

Adam Beard may have missed the Six Nations, but his return to Ospreys ranks could yet make him an outsider for another Lions tour.

David Williams | Mar 22, 2025
Wales captain Hannah Jones. Pic: Alamy

Sean Lynn Blends Old With New As He Seeks Six Nations Winning Blend

The Women’s Six Nations starts this weekend with a new man in charge of Wales . . . Sean Lynn.

Paul Jones | Mar 21, 2025
Harri Millard. Pic: INPHO

Harri’s Game - The Ups And Downs Of Life As A Rugby Player

The United Rugby Championship returns on Friday when Cardiff host the Johannesburg Lions at the Arms Park, where one home player is hoping to continue his hot try-scoring form.

Simon Thomas | Mar 20, 2025
Wales are plunging down the world rankings:  Pic: Alamy

No Coach, No Strategy, No Future . . . And No-One At Home At The WRU

A team without a coach, a game without a plan, a governing body with nothing to say . . . it can't get worse than this, can it? Actually, it can says Graham Thomas.

Graham Thomas | Mar 19, 2025