
Adam Jones might be the bright spot Wales needs in the midst of the doom that has surrounded Welsh rugby for the past year and a half.
Their on-field struggles have resulted in tense and somber press briefings at Wales’ base, the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel.
If outcomes don’t improve, there will probably be additional stress in the upcoming months as Warren Gatland’s future as Wales manager remains questionable. Nonetheless, Jones’ initial news conference following his appointment as a scrum consultant for the Six Nations was refreshing.
A room full of journalists laughed at his comments, and he provided a wave of cheerfulness that eased any tension. Wales will gain not only from Jones’ experience as a scrum coach but also from the goodwill he will instill in the players.
He serves as a liaison between the coaching staff and the players, according to those at Harlequins. It can only be advantageous if Jones can give the players his optimism and self-assurance.
When asked what he might contribute to the environment, Jones responded, “I suppose a different voice.” “Over the past nine years, I’ve had the good fortune to work with many excellent coaches, including Danny Wilson, Tabai Matson, Paul Gustard, and John Kingston. All of them have altered the settings I’m accustomed to from my native country.
Jones is enthusiastic about bringing fresh perspectives to his new role, stating: “I’m hoping I can add a little bit around that – different techniques and outlooks. Everyone is very open to it. Certainly the coaches are very open to new ideas. I think I’ve changed a lot since I’ve been in England. I’m a little bit more outgoing.
“When this chance came up I was dying to do it. Quins were amazing – Billy, Danny and the board were class. There was no messing around and they said let’s get it done as soon as possible. We had to dot a few ‘I’s’ and cross a few ‘t’s’.
“It is something I want to do long term. I’m looking forward to doing it now until the end of the Six Nations.”
With four successful Six Nations campaigns under his belt, including three grand slams, the staunch prop has made a lasting impression on Welsh rugby. Jones’ frank autobiography notes that the impact from being fired by coach Gatland in 2014 was a painful point in his journey, which wasn’t without controversy.
The Ospreys icon muses on his reconciliation with Gatland after years apart: “We have kissed and made up,” Jones stated. “After I was done, it became somewhat twisted.
Anyone who finishes their career is going to be 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 British and Irish 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 also addressed some misconceptions from his retirement: “A lot was said when I did finish. I did a book when I retired and whoever did the serialisation took a little bit from here, a little bit from there, and took chunks of the book and put them in a different order.
“A lot of people then said ‘so you didn’t say that about Gats’ which I didn’t. I’m happy to work for him because he had such a massive influence on my career.”

On a lighter note, Jones joked about his mother’s reaction to his coaching role with Wales: “I don’t know how my mother is feeling, she’s probably turning in her grave somewhere, but she will be happy I’m coaching with Wales.”
When asked about his initial thoughts on the Wales squad, which failed to secure a single Test match victory in 2024, Jones responded: “How hard everyone is working and how much everyone wants to win,” adding, “I guess if you get the performances, the wins will come, but everyone is working really hard and putting a lot of detail in. A lot of effort as well.
You can see the boys are hurting as you would. It’s natural.”
The Welsh rugby team’s new coach has praised his squad’s eagerness to learn, despite noting some age diversity.
“They’re a good bunch of boys – young, apart from a couple who are getting on a bit. They’re a good bunch of boys who are keen to learn. That’s what I’ve found so far.”
After observing their gym strength and conducting a scrum session, he acknowledged there’s room for improvement: “I’ve only done one scrum session and seen how strong they are in the gym. There’s a bit of work to do there.
“For them not me. It’s good. I’m looking forward to it. If boys want to win and work hard for them you can’t ask for more.”
“I’m sure the nation will get behind them and hopefully we can get off to a good start.”
Despite the odds being against Wales in their upcoming match against France in Paris, the coach remains quietly confident. “You want to win, don’t you? As long as we don’t listen to the outside noises,” Jones said, advising his players to ignore detractors: “As long as they aren’t on social media and listening to the tripe. You’ve got to back yourself.”
Acknowledging the underdog status, he believes in the team’s unity and potential for a strong performance, especially with experienced players returning. “The whole country and the whole rugby world thinks we are going to go there and get pumped. Gats is brilliant at the underdogs and bringing a team together quickly sort of thing.
“There’s some experience back with Toby (Faletau) and Liam (Williams) so there’s a bit of experience there. There’s some young players but we are pretty confident we can go out there and do a job.
“You aren’t going to go out there saying we are going to stick 50 points on them but we want to go out there, test them as much as we can and get the crowd silent. That’s a key thing out there if we can silence the crowd.
According to one coach, who took inspiration from the movie, “It sounds a bit like Gladiator when Oliver Reed says it to Russell Crowe.” The battle of the scrum is expected to be a crucial confrontation in the forthcoming match. We will have won half the war if we can silence that.
Wales is aware that if they want to win, they must compete in this important area, particularly against a team known for its outstanding scrummaging ability.