Jones: Led Six Nations glory

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Wales legend Mervyn Davies has backed Ryan Jones' credentials to captain the British and Irish Lions in South Africa next summer.

Jones is a front-runner to lead a tour that will include three Test matches against the world champion Springboks.

The Ospreys back-row forward was among only a handful of players who come out with any credit from the 3-0 Test series whitewash against New Zealand in 2005.

Jones, despite being part of Wales' memorable Six Nations Grand Slam triumph earlier that year, initially missed out on Lions selection.

But he ultimately featured in all three Tests following a stunning debut against Otago in Dunedin after replacing the injured Scotland star Simon Taylor.

Jones, 27, has since added another Grand Slam success into his career portfolio, this time as Wales skipper, a job that he only landed less than eight months ago.

And former Wales captain Davies, who won 38 caps and played in every Test of the unforgettable 1971 (New Zealand) and 1974 (South Africa) Lions tours, believes Jones has given himself every chance of landing one of world rugby's highest-profile roles.

"The position where the captain plays is quite important," said Davies.

"Rugby still tends to be a forward-orientated game - it's up-front where the grunt is and where you win and lose games.

Opportunity

"Ryan, if he keeps his fitness and form, has every opportunity to captain the Lions in South Africa.

"He thinks about the game, he carries the ball well, he reads the game well as a captain and he has all the physical attributes of a modern back-row forward.

"But captaincy of the Lions is also about a public role off the field, and Ryan is someone who is comfortable with all of that.

"I remember when I first captained Wales, I was more worried about my speech after the game than actually playing."

If Wales continue their resurgence under coaches Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, ex-number eight Davies also predicts a strong representation of playing personnel.

"This season is the proof of the pudding for Wales," Davies said.

"People might say it was a lucky Grand Slam last season in some ways, but you need luck to win any Grand Slam.

"Even in the 1970s it was never a foregone conclusion that we would win a Grand Slam, and Wales will look to consolidate on last season's success.

"If they manage to do that, then a lot of players going on the Lions tour next summer will be Wales players.

"I can see a larger percentage of Welshmen being selected than from any other nation, if things remain as they are."