Deiniol Jones says the strength of the Welsh pack means he and his fellow incomers must live up to a high standard against Fiji.
Incoming lock says he and fellow forwards must reach impressive benchmark
Wales' Deiniol Jones says the strength of their pack means he and his fellow incoming forwards must live up to a high standard against Fiji in Cardiff on Friday.
In the two autumn Tests so far played, the Welsh pack has destroyed Australia's eight and more than held its own against that of world champions South Africa.
The home nation heads into this weekend's match having made five changes in the forwards, with Cardiff lock Jones coming in alongside hooker Huw Bennett, his second-row colleague Ian Gough, plus flankers Ryan Jones and Dan Lydiate.
Some things stay the same, however, with Wales looking to dominate opponents who, like the Springboks, feature in their World Cup pool next year.
"The scrum is an area where Wales have been strong so far this autumn," said Jones, who resumes a partnership with Gough that began on his Test debut against Samoa 10 years ago.
"The guys who played the first two games have set a really high standard, so that is something we have got to live up to and press our own cases forward.
"We need to play a very structured game, and when opportunities come our way we've got to take them.
"I know there are quite a few changes in the side, but it's not like chucking a bunch of youngsters out there.
"There is quite a bit of experience coming in, and the experienced guys really want to make a good impression as well."
Flamboyant
The emphasis this weekend will be on neutering Fiji's flamboyant, attack-minded approach, not to mention the prospect of avenging a defeat to the South Sea Islanders at the last World Cup.
"In terms of Welsh rugby, that was a pretty dark day," said Jones, who watched the game at home on television.
"For a lot of the guys who were involved, it's a good opportunity to put that to rest.
"They are a big physical side, who if you let them play they are going to be dangerous.
"They will look to play quite loose, I guess. As individuals, we all know they are incredibly skilful.
"I don't think there will be any case of us underestimating them or not getting up for it.
"It's difficult to take too much out of their game against France last weekend because of the poor conditions, but we've got quite a bit of footage of their recent Pacific-Rim games.
"They can be very dangerous. I am not sure how much preparation time they had for France, but now they've had a game under their belt, they are that much more prepared.
"It will be good to lay down a marker of where we are at the moment, and where we are looking to be in 10 months' time at the World Cup."
