Welshman dreams of ranking alongside greats

Six Nations backline director Stephen Jones has arrived unscathed to challenge himself and his team-mates for a place alongside the Welsh greats who have gone on to Lions five-eighths fame.

The 27-year-old arrived yesterday after helping his Clermont Auvergne club in France to a 31-8 win against Agen which guaranteed them a place in next season's Heineken Cup.

Barry John and Phil Bennett were famous Welsh five-eighths on Lions tours of New Zealand and Jones admitted "it would mean everything" to be able to emulate Bennett and win test selection.

The obstacle on most questioners' lips is Jonny Wilkinson. Ronan O'Gara, who starts this weekend against Bay of Plenty, and Charlie Hodgson are the other touring five-eighths.

When the Lions squad was announced in early April, Wilkinson had not resumed playing after his latest injury. His recovery and subsequent Lions selection was no surprise to Jones, who spoke about Wilkinson being "world-class" and a "great professional".

Talk that Jones was the premier five-eighths in the Six Nations was flattering, he said, but this Lions tour was all about starting again as everyone was available.

"Everybody is going to have a chance and an opportunity to play and I think whoever makes the most of it will be taking the test jersey and rightly so."

He had not been given any indication when he would start on tour, but like the other five-eighths, it was important to believe he would challenge for a test place.

Jones was in regular contact with Bennett; he had used the former Lions skipper as a sounding board and received a recent card wishing him well for this latest campaign.

* Mils Muliaina is the latest All Black trial casualty, with a shoulder problem removing him from Friday's match.

The test fullback, who was due to play at centre, returned to Auckland yesterday for another specialist opinion about his injury.

The All Black medical staff were confident that Muliaina would be available for the first test against Fiji.

His trial replacement will be either Tane Tu'ipulotu or Casey Laulala.