The duo’s battle for the number 10 jersey has been raging for the last two seasons, becoming a headline issue this week after coach Warren Gatland picked Jones ahead of Hook for the next RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy.

“It is always there isn’t it,” said Jones, referring to Wales’ preoccupation with fly-halves.

“I keep out of it, to be honest; I think it’s the best way.

“From my perspective, I know there are areas of my game I need to work on and I look at it like that, things that I can control and influence.

“You can’t get caught up with something like that as a player because it is out of your control. You have just got to look at your own game.

“You know if you have played badly or done okay, you know which area has gone well or not so well, which area you need to work on, how I need to work on it.

“You speak to relative people about it. I was just delighted to get the start.”

But Jones, one of six changes from the side which beat Scotland 30-15 last weekend, is keen to sound a note of caution ahead of the game on Saturday week.

Despite Wales going into the clash at the Millennium Stadium on the back of an unbeaten start to the championship, he insists it is not going to be a cakewalk.

“We realise Italy are a good side,” said Jones, who will win his 67th cap next week.

“We respect them as a side - last time we played them here (in Cardiff) we drew and last season, of course, we lost in Rome.

“Their players play for some of the best clubs in Europe: Stade (Francais), Gloucester, Leicester, Toulouse.

“I look at the individuals they have got and they play not only for good clubs, but clubs who are used to winning and they will be looking forward to playing in a magnificent arena like this. We have just got to stay focused.

“It was a real low last year, we hadn’t gone well in the campaign, I broke my thumb that day, was stitched up and then we lost the game in the last few minutes.

“But, this year, we have had a good start and things do snowball and I am happy we are in the situation we are in. It will be a tough challenge against the Italians and you can’t look any further than that.

“We have got to remain realistic and we know there is a lot of work we need to do.

“Certain things have gone well for us, yes, but if you are looking at the general game plan, we have a lot to work on.”