Prop Adam Jones believes there is no reason why Wales cannot defend their RBS 6 Nations rugby title, despite concerns over injuries and form.
Tighthead Jones made a welcome return from two months out with a knee injury in the Ospreys’ 17-6 Heineken Cup win over Toulouse on Saturday, providing Welsh rugby with a major boost after a miserable autumn.
Jones was absent as Wales suffered an autumn series whitewash which dropped them into the third tier of the world rankings and a fiendishly difficult 2015 World Cup pool including Australia and hosts England.
And prior to the Ospreys’ stunning triumph over four-time European kings Toulouse, the regions had managed just one win from nine Heineken Cup games.
Wales have also been hit heavily by injuries and Dan Lydiate, Rhys Priestland, Alun Wyn Jones and Aaron Jarvis will all miss at least part of the Six Nations.
But 83-cap front-rower Jones said: “It was tough to miss the autumn series because you know what it’s like in camp the build-up is always exciting.
“It was probably a good series to miss, the way it turned out. But I don’t think we’ve turned into a poor team overnight.
“There’s a lot of talent in the squad. If we can get everyone fit, we can give anyone in the Six Nations a run for their money.”
l Lee Byrne could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a back injury picked up in Clermont Auvergne’s Heineken Cup victory over Leinster.
The club said the Welshman had “suffered a fractured right pedicle of the fifth lumbar vertebra”.