The Ospreys star will bring up his half century when he runs out against Ireland at Principality Stadium on Friday night. Tipuric made his debut for Wales in a Rugby World Cup warm-up clash with Argentina back in 2011. The 27-year-old makes his seventh consecutive start in the RBS 6 Nations clash on Friday night after impressing alongside Sam Warburton and Ross Moriarty in the back row.
Jones, his skipper for region and country, believes his rugby brain is invaluable to Wales and the Ospreys.
He said: “His intelligence, whether he’s been playing in the forwards or the backs is the standout from the cross section of skills and abilities he has. The skills Justin has have been very beneficial to the Ospreys and how we’ve developed as a region, he’s one of the senior players at the Ospreys now. He’s come to the fore in the red jersey now, it’s a big weekend for him.”
Jones and Tipuric start for Wales in an unchanged side from the defeat to Scotland at BT Murrayfield two weeks ago. Ireland were also beaten by Vern Cotter’s men, but have bounced back to get themselves back in contention. And Jones reckons the battle of the breakdown will be key again.
He said: “For the first half against Scotland we were comfortable with the contact area and we came in at half-time with the lead, then inaccuracy gave them ins during the second half. We couldn’t get back into it and ended up chasing it, so those are the two main focus points going into this one.”
Both sides have just two more chances to impress Warren Gatland ahead of the British and Irish Lions squad to tour New Zealand, which is announced on April 19. But Jones is only focused on winning in the red of Wales.
He said: “Hopefully people have ambition for the Lions but if they can bury that then great. But from a players point of view, it would be worrying if you’re thinking about something at the end of the season when we have a game we need to focus on.”
