After recovering from a shoulder injury and taking part in Waless autumn series the 11-times-capped number eight is now ready to take on the men in green again at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Its two years since I played in a Six Nations tournament and that was a pretty special one, he said.

Id do anything to replicate that Grand Slam again, especially as this time it is a massive competition in a massive year.

Ahead of Ireland on Sunday I havent been that excited about a game in a while. The challenge that is up first would be a great benchmark for us for the rest of the tournament.

We believe we can win in front of our own crowd, who have been great in recent years. We owe it to them as much as anything.

But 25-year-old Jones knows Ireland are the form side in the championship after their victories over Australia and South Africa during last autumns internationals.

It is exciting to have such a big game first up. There is no doubt that Ireland are the top-ranked Celtic team, the British Lions forward added.

And I think they pose the biggest threat and they are the favourites to win this tournament.

So to take them on first-up is great - we wouldnt have it any other way. Its a great way to set our stall out if we could come away with a win. It would bode well for what should be a great tournament.

Jones believes Grand Slams are becoming harder to achieve, especially as this year the sides are fairly well matched.

Looking at it now it is an open tournament and I think its going to be a close-run thing.

France pose a huge threat depending on who turns up and England are building towards the World Cup. They have had some stick in recent years but they will be looking to put a mark down.

With a World Cup on the horizon this is the biggest year of the rugby calendar and the Six Nations is where you want to put a maker down and build some momentum.