Stephen determined to end his HQ hoodoo

THEY boast 168 caps between them in the international arena, but Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson have only gone head to head once in their Test careers.

"The 2003 World Cup quarter-final," recalled Jones when asked about his previous No. 10 battles with the world's leading points-scorer ahead of this evening's RBS 6 Nations opener at Twickenham.

"I have a huge amount of respect for Jonny. What he has achieved in the game is fantastic and I have seen a few of his games for Toulon on TV recently. He is playing well."

You sense Wilkinson would utter similar words of respect for his opposite number.

They may be coming towards the twilight of their careers, but Wilkinson and Jones are still key players for their countries on the road to the 2011 World Cup.

Both are seen as tactical grand masters, a crucial cog in a modern game where the order of the boot often reigns.

Wilkinson's dead eye in front of goal has helped ensure his longevity — despite his catalogue of injury setbacks — while the reliable Jones has staved off the considerable challenge of James Hook and Dan Biggar this side of the Severn.

Yet, while most of the Welsh team have been talking about the confidence gained from having buried the Twickenham hoodoo two years ago, Jones is still waiting for his first victory at HQ.

Jones was an unused replacement in 2008 with Hook in imperious form at fly-half, while unlike his Ospreys and Blues team-mates, there has been no Anglo-Welsh triumph to savour for the Scarlet.

In fact, Jones has been on the wrong end of some almighty beatings at the hands of the old enemy and is well aware of the task that awaits this evening.

"It will be tough, it will be physical," said the 32-year-old, who will win his 84th Welsh cap at Twickers.

"England are a good side. Yes, they came in for criticism during the autumn, but they played some good teams.

"We have looked at the video and we know how good they are and how tough a challenge it will be.

"Their selection at nine (Danny Care) and 13 (Mathew Tait) shows they want to play an open game and they have a lot of options.

"We have just got to make sure we are sharp defensively to nullify that threat.

"As for our attacking game, what is important is to have variety. If we have that good mix you are always keeping defences guessing.

"We can't be one- dimensional in our style of play."

Robert Lloyd