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Jones - Wales will bid to up tempo

Stephen Jones - Tempo and balance key for Wales
Stephen Jones - Tempo and balance key for Wales

Wales fly-half Stephen Jones insists he will not be thinking about pressure in tomorrow's RBS 6 Nations title showdown against Ireland.

The battle between Jones and his opposite number Ronan O'Gara could go a long way towards deciding the outcome.

There is so much at stake - a first Six Nations title since 1985, first Grand Slam since 1948 and the Triple Crown for Ireland, while Wales can defend their title and also take Triple Crown honours.

Jones, though, a Grand Slam winner in 2005 and 2008, remains determined to enjoy every minute of the high-octane occasion.

'If you can't get excited about this game, you might as well give up,' said the Scarlets star.

'I don't think of there being any pressure. It's just going to be a fantastic game and there is a huge buzz. They (Ireland) have put themselves in a great position, they are confident and excited and we have so much to play for as well.'

Between them, Jones and O'Gara have amassed 859 points in Six Nations rugby, with O'Gara last week overtaking Jonny Wilkinson as the tournament's all-time top scorer.

Munster marksman O'Gara is now only eight points short of clocking up 500 in the Six Nations - and Jones does not need reminding of his threat.

'Ronan O'Gara? Just look at his statistics and record for Munster and Ireland - that tells you all you need to know about the man,' added Jones.

'He rarely has a poor match and, if he does, he always bounces right back. He complements the Ireland pack so well. He is a vital player for them and we have to put pressure on him.

'Looking at the Ireland side and the selection of Tomas O'Leary at scrum-half, I think they will be direct and try to dictate through their pack. They are very good up front, very strong.

'We have got to look to up the tempo and we will try to move the ball wide but kicking is also an important part of our game as well. It's about variety and getting the balance right. We probably didn't kick enough against France, then we kicked too much against Italy.'

Wales have yet to revisit the heights of a technically brilliant opening 50 minutes against Scotland last month.

But they have won eight out of nine Six Nations Tests under head coach Warren Gatland's direction and are also unbeaten at home in the tournament since February 4, 2007 - when Ireland defeated them 19-9.

'What we have got to do is play for 80 minutes,' acknowledged Jones.

'We haven't done that yet this tournament. We played for 60 minutes against Scotland and in patches against England. Then we started well against France for the first 20 minutes and were patchy against Italy.

'This Saturday, we must go for the full 80.'

When Six Nations business is done and dusted for another year, thoughts will start turning towards this summer's Lions tour of South Africa, when Jones and O'Gara could be involved.

'There is no denying that it (Lions) is in the back of people's minds but it's just part of what will make Saturday such a great occasion,' Jones said.

'There is so much to play for. I can't wait.'