The prodigal son returns from France

Stephen Jones on France, Wales and the game ... obviously!

Wales fly-half Stephen Jones is frequently overlooked when it comes to talk of Lions selection, world's best and other such accolades. All of which is somewhat harsh on a player who has led Wales' backline with aplomb for a long time now; even when the pack is on the back foot he has been the orchestrator of some memorable tries.

Standing about six feet tall in his slippers, with rounded features, pale skin and black hair, Jones couldn't belong to any other race of people but the Welsh.

The light tones and lilt of his voice, which seem custom-made for singing, only serve to reinforce that image.

Jones has, however, moved on to pastures new. At the end of last season he secured a lucrative contract with French side Montferrand now Clermont-Auvergne and left his beloved Llanelli.

But Clermont-Auvergne were beset by problems at the start of this season, and have spent most of the season struggling to keep off the shackles of relegation.

Jones has kept his head down, and has produced a steady stream of points to keep Clermont away from the basement. Wales has never been too far from his mind though, and he was clearly delighted to be back when Planet Rugby caught up with him on Wednesday.

"Yeah, I'm very happy to be back," he said.

" I enjoy playing my rugby in France, but coming back to Wales is always great, and being involved in such an exciting squad as we have here. Team spirit is awesome here, so it's great to be back."

That Clermont have struggled is no secret, but Jones sees light at the end of the tunnel.

"We had a shaky start, we lost our first three games, but we're starting to pick up now.

"We're up to tenth in the league, we've got a game in hand as well, and our rugby's improved, so we're starting to pick up a bit.

Jones was already renowned for his running game. He scored one of Wales' finest tries in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England in Brisbane, and against the All Blacks in November his break and inch-perfect chip set up Tom Shanklin for another superb score.

In that sense, he was already not a typical percentage-playing British No.10. But adapting to the French game was another step again.

"The game's far less structured in France," he said.

"Obviously in Wales you've got certain calls which will take you three or four phases ahead, whereas in France it's usually one phase and then react to the opposition, so there's more emphasis on playmaking out there.

"What you do get is some teams that are forward oriented and some that will throw the ball from anywhere. Theres a total mix of opposition within the league.

"I feel I have improved my game from going over there, without taking anything away from the Welsh game the Celtic League is a great league as well, but having the change has been good for me."

Jones believes he is playing some of the best rugby of his career, but knows that he and his compatriots will have to be at their best when England come calling on Saturday.

"You have to be relaxed because it's such a big game," he said.

"We realise it's going to be a very difficult game on Saturday. England are a great team, they're not world champions for nothing, and we're going to be up against it.

"All we can do is play to the game plan our coaches want us to play, and if we can do that things will go well for us, but we are under no illusions."

If Wales can play the game Jones wants to play, expect a little French flair to spice up the proceedings.

By Danny Stephens in Cardiff