Jones: Ready for action

Jones has spent time training at blindside flanker this week ahead of the Pool D clash as Gatland ponders his back-row combination.

Dan Lydiate, Wales' regular number six, is sidelined while he continues his recovery from ankle ligament damage suffered during the critical 17-10 victory over Samoa five days ago.

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones is now fit again following calf muscle trouble, but he has not played since August 6, suggesting Gatland could name him among the replacements in New Plymouth.

And there will be a huge temptation to rest workaholic captain Sam Warburton following his exertions in the South Africa and Samoa games, meaning Jones might find himself part of a back-row trio alongside Toby Faletau and Andy Powell.

Scrummaging practice earlier this week saw Jones pack down at blindside, with Faletau taking Warburton's openside position and Powell in the number eight role.

All will be revealed when Gatland announces his starting line-up on Saturday.

Jones played at blindside when Wales lost a World Cup warm-up game 62-5 against England four years ago, and he has made a handful of appearances there for the Ospreys.

"I am aware a few of the boys are carrying (knocks), so I am not sure," Jones said, of a possible positional switch.

"If it happens, it happens. There are backs who play out of position in tournaments like this one.

"If I have got to step into the breach, then yes. I played there a couple of times for Wales and a bit for the Ospreys.

"As a front-five forward you are always on to the back-row that it is a lot easier for them, but there is a lot more rugby involved. There are a few things you have to school up on."

A much-changed Wales side is expected to include starts for props Gethin Jenkins and Craig Mitchell, hooker Lloyd Burns, half-backs Stephen Jones and Tavis Knoyle, plus centre Scott Williams and wing Aled Brew.

But Wales' primary target remains the same at Stadium Taranaki - a bonus point victory that would keep them on course for a probable quarter-final showdown with Ireland in 15 days' time.

Namibia will head to New Plymouth on the back of an 87-0 thumping from South Africa, meaning they have conceded 185 points in three games.

Jones, though, has been impressed by the smaller nations' efforts during a tournament where almost half the pool games so far have been decided by 12 points or less.

"Namibia had a good first 20 minutes against South Africa, they fronted-up well," Jones added. "But South Africa were clinical, and in the last 10 or 15 minutes they piled on the pressure.

"The perception of the lesser teams should be altered after this tournament. Some of the performances they've put in have been excellent.

"If you look at the likes of Russia, Romania and Japan, they've put in some good 40 or 50-minute stints against some big sides. It has been really good watching some of those games.

"I think it has definitely added value from the last World Cup four years ago.

"I think there has been less kicking and there has been more ball in open play. Teams are keeping the ball in hand a bit more, and that is more enjoyable to watch.

"The more time the ball is on the park, the more the fans are going to enjoy it, and that is what it's all about."

Jones, meanwhile, also believes Wales are heading firmly in the right direction as they prepare to leave their Hamilton base for New Plymouth.

"There was so much good from the South Africa game that we felt we had momentum going into facing Samoa. And even though we were behind at half-time against Samoa, there was so much composure.

"We did what we needed to do to win the game. The biggest bonus was the character and the fact we were composed in what could have been a very tense situation.

"It was a big step in the right direction for us."