Head coach Gareth Jenkins and forwards specialist Robin McBryde also came under scrutiny after Wales crumbled to their fifth defeat in eight Tests.

But the spotlight fell squarely on Jones shoulders as captain and fly-half of a team which has lost to Ireland and Scotland this campaign and failed to score a try in the process.

But Jones was in defiant mood and insisted Wales have the quality and pride to turn around their ailing fortunes against defending champions France on Saturday.

He said: The criticism is frustrating from a personal aspect and from a team perspective.

I was out of Wales for two years (playing for French side Clermont Auvergne) and you sometimes forget how much rugby is in the spotlight here. It has been a bit of an eye-opener to be honest.

People have written a lot of things and said a lot of things and they are entitled to their opinion but from my end of things all I can do is concentrate on my rugby.

We realise there is a huge responsibility that goes with playing for Wales and you have to live up to that responsibility.

We have a tough challenge now against France and we have got to make Welsh rugby proud again.

The Scotland game was particularly poor but we have a lot of talent in the side and if we play to our potential we will score tries.