Adam Jones has been tasked with taming 'the Beast' this weekend but, speaking in Cape Town on Thursday afternoon, the man known affectionately as the 'Hair Bear' refused to worry to much about his opposite number.

Jones, part of an all Welsh front row this for the Lions, goes head to head with Tendai Mtawarira this weekend in the second test in the three match series and, after Mtawarira's dominant performance over Phil Vickery last weekend, has found himself as the focus of a lot of media attention this week. Something the player himself admitted he had found pretty amusing.

A likable character, Jones has earned the respect of many in South Africa, both journalists and fans, with his honest approach. Having already admitted to enjoying the constant physical battle in South Africa and admitted when the Lions have fallen short, Jones is now looking forward to starting for the Lions for the first test.

"[I'm] pretty excited for this Saturday," he said.

"I'm not going to say anything inspiring but to start for the Lions is the stuff of dreams.

"[My goal all along was] to play in the tests - there no point in coming [on tour] otherwise."

Jones' arrival in the second half last weekend seemed to sure up the scrums for the Lions. Mtawarira had clearly had the edge on Vickery for the first 50 minutes but, rather than be concerned with what might happen, Jones insists that he went onto the pitch fully confident that he had the matching of 'the Beast.'

"You have got to back yourself. There is no point in doubting yourself because of what you saw in the first half is there? I'd played against him before so I just got on with it.

"There is no point in panicking - you got to back yourself and your technique."

The long-haired Welsh star admitted though that he had the luxury of scrumming against a tired Mtawarira and believes he will have to do even better this weekend to get the upper hand on his opposite number.

Technique though, rather than strength, is what the Ospreys prop says will be the crucial factor.

"I expect he will be stronger and fitter [at the start] - everyone can see he is a big strong bloke so it will probably come down to technique.

"I'’s an eight man scrum, as you know, if the props have a tough time it's not just down to them. It's obviously a hell of a challenge but I'm confident [we can do it]."

As for the mood in the camp? Well if Jones is a good measure to go by then the environment is a very calm and relaxed one. Having fought back strongly in the final quarter of the match in Durban, the 28 year-old from Abercave insists that belief is not an issue for the Lions this weekend.

"[The mood is] very good - we saw in the last 20 minutes we came back and to come back from 26-9 down, especially against as team as good as the Boks, is really hard - so the way we did it gave us confidence.

"When we actually play rugby in the last minutes we put them under pressure."

Paying tribute to the man who he is replacing this weekend, Jones said that Vickery had not allowed a poor weekend to keep him down. The Wasps man, according to Jones, was back to his usual self on Monday morning and remains a key member of the Lions touring party.

As for Vickery's words to Jones regarding taking on 'the Beast' this weekend; simple instructions - 'make sure you stuff him.'

365

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