Ireland must watch danger man Jones

Stephen Jones represents Wales' greatest hope of bursting the bubble surrounding Irish rugby in Dublin on Sunday.

But the 24-year-old fly half, whose inspired penalty kicking has swept Llanelli into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup, is content to share that responsibility with Iestyn Harris - the convert from rugby league seemingly destined to wrest the No.10 shirt from his grasp.

Harris, prematurely fast-tracked into an unsuccessful Wales debut at stand off against Argentina last November, starts at inside centre against Ireland. Either man could assume the kicking duties.

Far from seeing Harris as a threat, Jones believes his presence can bring out the best in his own game. 'Iestyn's a good guy and a very talented player,' said Jones. 'I find it beneficial to have him outside me because it takes the pressure off. 'One has the No.10 shirt and the other No.12 but after the first phase, when the game has broken up, it's a matter of chopping and changing all the time. It gives you a lot of confidence knowing there is another option there.' Harris could offer Wales an extra dimension yet, as Leicester and Bath have found in recent weeks, Jones is quite capable of wreaking havoc on his own. His sustained precision with the boot has been achieved with the kind of subtle adjustment familiar to millions of golfers. 'I've changed my technique slightly,' he said. 'I'm using a lower tee and putting the ball further forward. You can't kick it as far - but it's been effective.' For coach Graham Henry, under pressure following Wales' poor showing in 2001 and criticised for his handling of the Lions in Australia last summer, Sunday's match is an opportunity to convince a demanding Welsh public and union that progress is being made.

Jones said: 'The coach has come into the firing line but a lot of the criticism has been unjust. Looking at the key players who have retired or been injured, this is a huge transitional period for Wales.'